Day one of the Papara Pro Junior and the Vahine Pro Junior saw competitors treated to high performance 3-to-4 foot punchy left and right beachbreak waves.
The festival was declared open with a traditional Tahitian welcome dance called the Tamure and the competition was blessed with a traditional prayer by the Tahua (priest) which is a prayer to the ocean believed to bring good fortune for the competition.
The Tahitian Minister of Sport was in attendance and also welcomed competitors and spectators to the event and expressed that he was proud to see Tahiti host another world-class surfing competition.
The young aspiring professional surfers reveled in the clean and pulsing swell with an array of standout performers from local Tahitians, Hawaiians and Australians including: Fraser Dovell (AUS) (scoring 8.25 & 8.00), Keoni Yan (HAW) (Scoring 8.25 & 6.35), Reef Heazlewood (AUS) (scoring 6.50 & 5.85), Kai Hing (AUS) (scoring 8.15 & 8.00) and last year's event champion in both the Pro Junior and Qualifying Series (QS) division Mateia Hiquily (PYF) (scoring 8.50 & 7.25).
Kalani Ball carving up a storm. - WSL / Sam Norwood
"Tahiti is paradise, there's palm trees everywhere and warm water - I'm loving it," Said Reef Heazlewood. "I surfed Teahupoo when I got here and it was so cool. I was originally just coming here to get experience but now that the WSL has announced they're dropping the age of the junior events next year I'm trying really hard to get a good seeding for next year. It's such great timing having both the QS and Junior here so that we can get experience on the Qualifying Series too."
Holly Wawn riding on the roof top. - WSL / Sam Norwood
In the women's Vahine Pro Junior, the winner of the last event in NZ Holly Wawn (AUS) starred posting both 7.50 and a 6.25. Holly Wawn arrived early to Tahiti and the extra training and preparation has paid off.
"We surfed Papara the other day and the banks were really distinct. I said to Isabella Nichols, 'imagine if there was only four people out, it'd be so much fun!.'" Wawn said. "The local people are so lovely, really accommodating and will help you out with anything. I'm currently sitting equal first on the rankings so I'm really excited about the event and the prospect of competing at the WSL Junior Championships."
Papara Pro QS1000 event site here
Papara Pro Junior event site here
Vahine Pro Junior event site here
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Tahitian Style openeing ceremony at Papara Pro Surf Festival 2015
- WSL / Sam Norwood
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Opening Ceremony Band at the Papara Pro Surf Festival 2015
- WSL / Sam Norwood
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Tahitian Officials at the Papara Pro Surf Festival 2015
- WSL / Sam Norwood
Papara Pro Surf Festival Opens
WSL
Day one of the Papara Pro Junior and the Vahine Pro Junior saw competitors treated to high performance 3-to-4 foot punchy left and right beachbreak waves.
The festival was declared open with a traditional Tahitian welcome dance called the Tamure and the competition was blessed with a traditional prayer by the Tahua (priest) which is a prayer to the ocean believed to bring good fortune for the competition.
The Tahitian Minister of Sport was in attendance and also welcomed competitors and spectators to the event and expressed that he was proud to see Tahiti host another world-class surfing competition.
The young aspiring professional surfers reveled in the clean and pulsing swell with an array of standout performers from local Tahitians, Hawaiians and Australians including: Fraser Dovell (AUS) (scoring 8.25 & 8.00), Keoni Yan (HAW) (Scoring 8.25 & 6.35), Reef Heazlewood (AUS) (scoring 6.50 & 5.85), Kai Hing (AUS) (scoring 8.15 & 8.00) and last year's event champion in both the Pro Junior and Qualifying Series (QS) division Mateia Hiquily (PYF) (scoring 8.50 & 7.25).
"Tahiti is paradise, there's palm trees everywhere and warm water - I'm loving it," Said Reef Heazlewood. "I surfed Teahupoo when I got here and it was so cool. I was originally just coming here to get experience but now that the WSL has announced they're dropping the age of the junior events next year I'm trying really hard to get a good seeding for next year. It's such great timing having both the QS and Junior here so that we can get experience on the Qualifying Series too."
In the women's Vahine Pro Junior, the winner of the last event in NZ Holly Wawn (AUS) starred posting both 7.50 and a 6.25. Holly Wawn arrived early to Tahiti and the extra training and preparation has paid off.
"We surfed Papara the other day and the banks were really distinct. I said to Isabella Nichols, 'imagine if there was only four people out, it'd be so much fun!.'" Wawn said. "The local people are so lovely, really accommodating and will help you out with anything. I'm currently sitting equal first on the rankings so I'm really excited about the event and the prospect of competing at the WSL Junior Championships."
Papara Pro QS1000 event site here
Papara Pro Junior event site here
Vahine Pro Junior event site here
Papara Surf Festival
Taumata Puhetini, Isabella Nichols and O'Neill Massin take top honors in Tahiti.
Three divisions all run through to the business end of competition in Tahiti.
Big day of high performance surfing at QS and Juniors in Tahiti
Tahiti turns on the charm as men's and women's juniors and men's QS1000 divisions heat up.
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