Mother Nature put on a show as the Semifinalists were decided at the inaugural Be the Influence Avalon Cup, an ASP 2-star rated Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event.
Clear standout performer, Taylor Jensen (USA) secured the highest scores of the day in his Round 2 heat with an 8.00 and a 9.25 to amass a heat total of 17.25. Jensen backed up his Round 2 performance in his Quarterfinal heat against Mark Matisons (AUS) with a combined total of 16.40, securing a spot in tomorrow's Semifinals.
"It's small and shifty and rocky, but there are a couple of fun ones out there so if you get a set it runs and you can get a couple of nose rides and a couple of turns," Jensen said. "I'm doing something right I guess!"
WA's Georgia Young styling all the way into the Semifinals. - WSL / Nick Woolacott
WA local favorite and current Australian Champion Georgia Young (AUS) maintained form throughout the day posting a series of impressive scores, taking a clear win over of WA State Junior Champion Emi Campbell (AUS) with a combined total score of 14.90.
"The points from this event are super important to me as I didn't have the best result at the first event in Kingscliff," Young said. "This event is vital for qualifying next year so I'm really happy with how I'm going so far and a bit of prize money on the side doesn't go astray either!"
Late entrant Michaela Ross (AUS) was convinced to enter the event just two days ago and effortlessly made it through the day and into a spot in the Semifinals.
"It's the first competition I've done in about a year and a half and I'm so happy to make it this far," Ross said. "There were a couple of nice little lefts coming through and it wasn't too windy so it was beautiful."
Emma Webb was impressive in her first event back since 2011. - WSL / Nick Woolacott
In her first LQS event since 2011, Emma Webb (AUS) looked comfortable in the conditions on offer, managing to find the better waves in her Quarterfinal against U18 Australian Champion Denver Young (AUS).
"It's fantastic that WA have put on another LQS," Webb said. "I thought I wouldn't come back as I've had two kids, so for me it's just a bit of fun and I'll see how I go."
The men's Quarterfinals were started with a close affair between Nic Jones (AUS) and Tim Fitzpatrick. In one of the most entertaining heats of the day, Jones prevailed with a heat total of 15.25, topping Fitzpatrick's 14.75 and securing Jones a spot in the Semifinals.
"I'm definitely looking to requalify for the World Longboard Championships (WLC) again this year," Jones said. "This is a good spot to have one of the qualifying events as it's a lot like the wave in China for the WLC so it's good to get some practice in these waves."
Justin Redman (AUS) kept his form throughout the day, posting a combined total of 15.25 against Jack Entwistle (AUS). Jared Neal (AUS) combined traditional nose-riding with dynamic rail surfing to impress the judges in his Quarterfinal against Heith Norrish (AUS), earning himself a combined total of 14.30 that was enough to push Norrish out of the event.
"I was just trying to turn over some waves and hopefully get a little something extra on one," Neal said. "Any new event for longboarding is really good so hopefully we can keep building it and get an actual tour going again."
For results and photo log on to Avalon.ProSurfingLive.com
This event is supported by the Be the Influence - Tackling Binge Drinking initiative, part of the Australian Government's National Binge Drinking Strategy addressing youth binge drinking and raising awareness of the long and short term impacts of harmful drinking among young people through sport sponsorships and other activities. HIF (Health Insurance Fund of Australia), SunSmart, Healthway, Department of Sport and Recreation.
-
Taylor Jensen buries his rail at Avalon today.
- WSL / Nick Woolacott
-
Avalon event site.
- WSL / Nick Woolacott
-
Coffs Coast local Jared Neal is through to the Semifinals.
- WSL / Nick Woolacott
-
Jack Entwistle finished equal 5th place after losing to WA local Justin Redman in the Quarterfinals.
- WSL / Nick Woolacott
Longboarders light up Avalon Point
WSL
Mother Nature put on a show as the Semifinalists were decided at the inaugural Be the Influence Avalon Cup, an ASP 2-star rated Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event.
Clear standout performer, Taylor Jensen (USA) secured the highest scores of the day in his Round 2 heat with an 8.00 and a 9.25 to amass a heat total of 17.25. Jensen backed up his Round 2 performance in his Quarterfinal heat against Mark Matisons (AUS) with a combined total of 16.40, securing a spot in tomorrow's Semifinals.
"It's small and shifty and rocky, but there are a couple of fun ones out there so if you get a set it runs and you can get a couple of nose rides and a couple of turns," Jensen said. "I'm doing something right I guess!"
WA local favorite and current Australian Champion Georgia Young (AUS) maintained form throughout the day posting a series of impressive scores, taking a clear win over of WA State Junior Champion Emi Campbell (AUS) with a combined total score of 14.90.
"The points from this event are super important to me as I didn't have the best result at the first event in Kingscliff," Young said. "This event is vital for qualifying next year so I'm really happy with how I'm going so far and a bit of prize money on the side doesn't go astray either!"
Late entrant Michaela Ross (AUS) was convinced to enter the event just two days ago and effortlessly made it through the day and into a spot in the Semifinals.
"It's the first competition I've done in about a year and a half and I'm so happy to make it this far," Ross said. "There were a couple of nice little lefts coming through and it wasn't too windy so it was beautiful."
In her first LQS event since 2011, Emma Webb (AUS) looked comfortable in the conditions on offer, managing to find the better waves in her Quarterfinal against U18 Australian Champion Denver Young (AUS).
"It's fantastic that WA have put on another LQS," Webb said. "I thought I wouldn't come back as I've had two kids, so for me it's just a bit of fun and I'll see how I go."
The men's Quarterfinals were started with a close affair between Nic Jones (AUS) and Tim Fitzpatrick. In one of the most entertaining heats of the day, Jones prevailed with a heat total of 15.25, topping Fitzpatrick's 14.75 and securing Jones a spot in the Semifinals.
"I'm definitely looking to requalify for the World Longboard Championships (WLC) again this year," Jones said. "This is a good spot to have one of the qualifying events as it's a lot like the wave in China for the WLC so it's good to get some practice in these waves."
Justin Redman (AUS) kept his form throughout the day, posting a combined total of 15.25 against Jack Entwistle (AUS). Jared Neal (AUS) combined traditional nose-riding with dynamic rail surfing to impress the judges in his Quarterfinal against Heith Norrish (AUS), earning himself a combined total of 14.30 that was enough to push Norrish out of the event."I was just trying to turn over some waves and hopefully get a little something extra on one," Neal said. "Any new event for longboarding is really good so hopefully we can keep building it and get an actual tour going again."
For results and photo log on to Avalon.ProSurfingLive.com
This event is supported by the Be the Influence - Tackling Binge Drinking initiative, part of the Australian Government's National Binge Drinking Strategy addressing youth binge drinking and raising awareness of the long and short term impacts of harmful drinking among young people through sport sponsorships and other activities. HIF (Health Insurance Fund of Australia), SunSmart, Healthway, Department of Sport and Recreation.
Denver Young
Check out a selection of images from last year's Caraïbos Lacanau Pro.
The Caraïbos Lacanau Pro finally scores good conditions and surfers make the best of it on Day 3.
Waves turn on and surfers step up to put on a great show on Day 3 of Caraïbos Lacanau Pro.
Be the Influence Avalon Cup
Champions crowned at the inaugural Be The Influence Avalon Cup win Western Australia
Avalon point, Mandurah, WA/AUS will play host to a selection of the world's best longboarders May 17
Whalebone Classic and the Be The Influence Avalon Cup will play out in Western Australia