Che Allan's inaugural chair up the beach at his homebreak of Soup Bowl couldn't have been any sweeter for the Bajan -- earning a spot into the World Junior Championship - WSL / Andrew Nichols
The shores of Bathsheba, Barbados lit up with cheers and applause as Che Allan claimed the island's first-ever Soup Bowl Pro Men's Junior title in great fashion. The backhander used his local knowledge to the utmost advantage and found the diamonds in the rough for a massive victory after taking an early lead -- and not giving it up. Allan needed at least a runner-up finish to find a place in the Top 4 and in doing so earned his first-ever WSL Junior Tour victory with a trip to the World Junior Championship in January.
"To be the first Bajan to win the Pro Junior event here is just unbelievable, I couldn't have dreamt this," Allan said. "I just can't believe it. I wasn't really focusing on the numbers until just before the Final when my dad told me I needed to win or get runner-up. Knowing that, I just wanted to go out there and get total control of the heat right away. I'm just so happy to come away with a win."
The Bajan grew up in the Soup Bowl lineup has now solidified himself as one of its best up-and-coming surfers. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
"Knowing this wave is such a big advantage," Allan continued. "It's not that big today but you could've definitely pulled a sneaky move and gone up a bit deeper in the lineup -- just a couple of little tricks I know about this place that definitely played a big role."
Fellow goofyfooter Nolan Rapoza's remarkable year came to an end with a third runner-up finish to cap off 2016 as the North America Junior Men's Regional Champion. After a breakout day one of competition, Rapoza finished off strong and kept Luke Gordon's run for WJC qualification at bay in the Semifinals before doing battle with Allan again in the Final.
"It's been a blast this whole year after I came so close last year and I've never had this opportunity before so I'm definitely stoked," Rapoza said. "I was constantly working with my boards out here because you never know what kind of board you'll need. Positioning is also a big factor. It should help my confidence a lot just surfing smarter this year through each event so I'm hoping it translates to the future for me."
Rapoza's dominant, last Junior Tour year began with a runner-up in Los Cabos -- earning a win and two more runner-up finishes since. - WSL / Lucas Murnaghan
Jake Marshall successfully defended his No. 3 spot with one last Final appearance in his Junior Tour career and showed his form throughout the event to get there. Marshall held onto the highest scoring of the event after his performance Friday and took that into his Semifinal win. But, Soup Bowl went quiet for the California-native and now he'll prepare for the World Junior Championship.
"This event was so fun and the first couple of days were super sick," Marshall said. "Today was definitely more of a strategy game so you just had to find yourself on the best waves coming through. It feels great and that was the main goal of coming down here was to secure that spot into Worlds. I didn't make it last year so I'm stoked to head over to Australia and give it a shot there."
Marshall's slow start set himself up for a big finish -- making three of the last four Finals. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
It wasn't all celebrations following the Final as Chauncey Robinson found himself on the outside looking in when the last horn sounded. The Floridian needed Allan to falter to get into the Top 4, but the Bajan's strong start couldn't be matched. Robinson now sets his eyes beyond the surfing world with his Junior career at an end.
"I knew what I needed to do the whole time and it was such a fun event until that last heat just not quite turning on for us," Robinson said. "It was pretty slow out there and I never maintained priority so it was just bad wave selection. All it takes for someone to get the right waves. I may take a bit of a break from the contest scene and hold off on the QS. This event is still my favorite of the year. Even if the waves are just average, it's still such an amazing venue and wave."
Robinson's power was exhibited throughout the entire contest, but couldn't find a wave in the Final to allow for it. - WSL / Lucas Murnaghan
The World Junior Championship will take place Januar 4 - 13, 2017 at Kiama, New South Wales, Australia.
Che Allan Earns Maiden Junior Tour Win on Home Soil
Andrew Nichols
The shores of Bathsheba, Barbados lit up with cheers and applause as Che Allan claimed the island's first-ever Soup Bowl Pro Men's Junior title in great fashion. The backhander used his local knowledge to the utmost advantage and found the diamonds in the rough for a massive victory after taking an early lead -- and not giving it up. Allan needed at least a runner-up finish to find a place in the Top 4 and in doing so earned his first-ever WSL Junior Tour victory with a trip to the World Junior Championship in January.
"To be the first Bajan to win the Pro Junior event here is just unbelievable, I couldn't have dreamt this," Allan said. "I just can't believe it. I wasn't really focusing on the numbers until just before the Final when my dad told me I needed to win or get runner-up. Knowing that, I just wanted to go out there and get total control of the heat right away. I'm just so happy to come away with a win."
"Knowing this wave is such a big advantage," Allan continued. "It's not that big today but you could've definitely pulled a sneaky move and gone up a bit deeper in the lineup -- just a couple of little tricks I know about this place that definitely played a big role."
Fellow goofyfooter Nolan Rapoza's remarkable year came to an end with a third runner-up finish to cap off 2016 as the North America Junior Men's Regional Champion. After a breakout day one of competition, Rapoza finished off strong and kept Luke Gordon's run for WJC qualification at bay in the Semifinals before doing battle with Allan again in the Final.
"It's been a blast this whole year after I came so close last year and I've never had this opportunity before so I'm definitely stoked," Rapoza said. "I was constantly working with my boards out here because you never know what kind of board you'll need. Positioning is also a big factor. It should help my confidence a lot just surfing smarter this year through each event so I'm hoping it translates to the future for me."
Jake Marshall successfully defended his No. 3 spot with one last Final appearance in his Junior Tour career and showed his form throughout the event to get there. Marshall held onto the highest scoring of the event after his performance Friday and took that into his Semifinal win. But, Soup Bowl went quiet for the California-native and now he'll prepare for the World Junior Championship.
"This event was so fun and the first couple of days were super sick," Marshall said. "Today was definitely more of a strategy game so you just had to find yourself on the best waves coming through. It feels great and that was the main goal of coming down here was to secure that spot into Worlds. I didn't make it last year so I'm stoked to head over to Australia and give it a shot there."
It wasn't all celebrations following the Final as Chauncey Robinson found himself on the outside looking in when the last horn sounded. The Floridian needed Allan to falter to get into the Top 4, but the Bajan's strong start couldn't be matched. Robinson now sets his eyes beyond the surfing world with his Junior career at an end.
"I knew what I needed to do the whole time and it was such a fun event until that last heat just not quite turning on for us," Robinson said. "It was pretty slow out there and I never maintained priority so it was just bad wave selection. All it takes for someone to get the right waves. I may take a bit of a break from the contest scene and hold off on the QS. This event is still my favorite of the year. Even if the waves are just average, it's still such an amazing venue and wave."
The World Junior Championship will take place Januar 4 - 13, 2017 at Kiama, New South Wales, Australia.
Chauncey Robinson
A critical day of competition unfolded leaving plenty of room for upsets and brilliant surfing at the Barbados Surf Pro and Live Like
The former Soup Bowl QS victor found his rhythm once again in defining fashion at the Barbados Surf Pro pres. by Diamonds International.
One event to go and 3,000 points on the line make for an open playing field heading into Barbados' famed Soup Bowl for both men and women.
The women made their highly anticipated debut as the men continued to decimate the Huntington Beach lineup.
Josh Burke, Ava McGowan and Noe Ledee claimed maiden Soup Bowl wins at Thomo QS 1,000 and Live Like Zander Junior Pro.
Soup Bowl Pro Junior
Opening day of action witnessed incredible surfing at the iconic righthand reefbreak throughout the day to determine Semifinalists.
Two spots remain open for the North America Junior Tour men's representatives -- and mathematically eight surfers vying for them.
After three years of quality competition, the Soup Bowl Pro Junior is back for another year of action with titles on the line.