Dextar Muskens and Zahli Kelly - WSL / Liam Robertson
The Hydralyte Sports Surf Series presented by Billabong has crowned Dextar Muskens and Zahli Kelly as champions today at Bells Beach. The final day of the event was held at the primary location of Bells after an increase in swell overnight that saw 3-4ft waves at the world famous beach.
In a hotly contested women's Final, Zahli Kelly pulled a rabbit out of the hat in the closing minutes to win the opening event of the WSL Junior Qualifying Series (JQS).
Zahli Kelly will be a favourite to take back-to-back wins with a great start to the 2018 season. - WSL / Liam Robertson
"I'm so happy to win, especially because I did it on my last wave," said Kelly. "To win at Bells is so special. Having a CT here and being able to surf a Pro Junior is an amazing experience."
Needing an excellent- scoring ride Kelly took off in the final minute and locked in a score of 9.50, the highest wave score of the day, to move ahead of Californian surfer Alyssa Spencer.
Alyssa Spencer was the top place interntional at Bells Beach. - WSL / Liam Robertson
"I knew that I needed a big score and I couldn't really hear the scores because of the wind. I didn't feel any pressure because I didn't think I was going to win, so I just wanted to have fun on my last wave."
Spencer had one last chance to regain the lead in the dying seconds but fell short by .4 of a point, finishing with a head total of 15.00 (out of a possible 20). Kelly finished on 15.40 points. Kirra-Belle Olsson finished in third on 12.60 points, with Piper Harrison in fourth on 6.85 points.
Women's Finalists at event one of the Australia / Oceania JQS. - WSL / Liam Robertson
The boys final also saw an equally impressive display of surfing with Dextar Muskens taking the win. Muskens looked comfortable in the rising surf locking down two excellent rides on his way to a 17.40 heat total.
Dextar Muskens hails from Gold Coast and it shows with his razor sharp backhand attack. - WSL / Liam Robertson
"It still hasn't sunk in yet," said an elated Muskens. "It was my goal this year to win a Pro Junior and to do it so early is awesome. I have been coming here to compete for about five years now. Bells is such an iconic break, I'm stoked to get it done today and take the win."
Placing in second was Te Kehukehu Butler, who also put on an incredible show, however fell just short of Muskens with a 16.00 heat total. Placing in third was Joel Paxton on 11.65 point followed by Jackson Roberts on 9.50 points.
Men's Finalists. - WSL / Liam Robertson
Results:
Girls Final
1st Zahli Kelly - 15.40
2nd Alyssa Spencer - 15.00
3rd Kirra-Belle Olsson - 12.60
4th Piper Harrison - 6.85
Boys Final
1st Dextr Muskens - 17.40
2nd Kehu Butler - 16.00
3rd Joel Paxton - 11.65
4th Jackson Roberts - 9.50
Dextar Muskens and Zahli Kelly Take First Junior Wins of 2018
WSL
The Hydralyte Sports Surf Series presented by Billabong has crowned Dextar Muskens and Zahli Kelly as champions today at Bells Beach. The final day of the event was held at the primary location of Bells after an increase in swell overnight that saw 3-4ft waves at the world famous beach.
In a hotly contested women's Final, Zahli Kelly pulled a rabbit out of the hat in the closing minutes to win the opening event of the WSL Junior Qualifying Series (JQS).
"I'm so happy to win, especially because I did it on my last wave," said Kelly. "To win at Bells is so special. Having a CT here and being able to surf a Pro Junior is an amazing experience."
Needing an excellent- scoring ride Kelly took off in the final minute and locked in a score of 9.50, the highest wave score of the day, to move ahead of Californian surfer Alyssa Spencer.
"I knew that I needed a big score and I couldn't really hear the scores because of the wind. I didn't feel any pressure because I didn't think I was going to win, so I just wanted to have fun on my last wave."
Spencer had one last chance to regain the lead in the dying seconds but fell short by .4 of a point, finishing with a head total of 15.00 (out of a possible 20). Kelly finished on 15.40 points. Kirra-Belle Olsson finished in third on 12.60 points, with Piper Harrison in fourth on 6.85 points.
The boys final also saw an equally impressive display of surfing with Dextar Muskens taking the win. Muskens looked comfortable in the rising surf locking down two excellent rides on his way to a 17.40 heat total.
"It still hasn't sunk in yet," said an elated Muskens. "It was my goal this year to win a Pro Junior and to do it so early is awesome. I have been coming here to compete for about five years now. Bells is such an iconic break, I'm stoked to get it done today and take the win."
Placing in second was Te Kehukehu Butler, who also put on an incredible show, however fell just short of Muskens with a 16.00 heat total. Placing in third was Joel Paxton on 11.65 point followed by Jackson Roberts on 9.50 points.
Results: Girls Final 1st Zahli Kelly - 15.40 2nd Alyssa Spencer - 15.00 3rd Kirra-Belle Olsson - 12.60 4th Piper Harrison - 6.85
Boys Final 1st Dextr Muskens - 17.40 2nd Kehu Butler - 16.00 3rd Joel Paxton - 11.65 4th Jackson Roberts - 9.50
Hydralyte Sports Pro Junior Bells Beach
All the action from the opneing JQS event of 2018.
Some of the planets best juniors have kicked off the 2018 season in fun waves on Victoria's Surf Coast.