Soup Bowl Pro Junior Kicks Off in Fun Caribbean Surf

The 2014 Association of Surfing Professionals Soup Bowl Pro Junior kicked off competition today in Bathsheba, Barbados at the famous right-hand reef of Soup Bowl. The day's conditions saw rippable 2-3' peaks connecting through to the inside section. Round 1 of both Junior Men's and Junior Women's were completed in their entirety as competitors were raising the bar all day long in the favorable tropical conditions.

The standout surfer of the day was Tomas King (CRI) who not only collected the day's highest heat total of a 16.34, but also claimed the day's highest wave score with an impressive 8.67 on a long right-hander. The Costa Rican looked smooth and powerful while connecting multiple turns to the inside. Although this is King's first time surfing Soup Bowl, the Tamarindo native looked comfortable and acclimated to the coveted right-hand reef break.

“I'm from one of the most northern parts of Costa Rica, and we don't have many waves like this. There's plenty of fun spots, but it's nothing like here.” Said Tomas, “In that heat I just got the best wave and tried to relax and just surf it. It worked out and I got an 8.67. I haven't been doing too many contests lately, so to get this heat out of the way really boosts my confidence. I'm super stoked and I'm looking forward to the next heat.”

Another noteworthy performance came from Los Angeles' Noah Collins (USA) who displayed some excellent backhand surfing. The young goofy-footer pocketed a solid 7.83 in Heat 8, where he linked multiple blasts to the inside. Collins edged out defending event champ, and fellow goofy-foot Parker Coffin (USA) for the heat win, and could be one to watch in the coming rounds.

“The waves were super fun out there. This would probably be like the best day ever at home so I was loving it.” Collins explained, “In that heat I tried to just not let anything get into my head and just get two good waves and go to town. This is my first time down here to Barbados and the locals have been really cool and the waves are super fun.”

San Clemente's Griffin Colapinto (USA) also made a solid showing in Heat 13, where he put together a couple well-surfed waves to earn him a heat win. The young regular-footer built momentum throughout the heat, not catching his first good wave until seven minutes had expired. Colapinto fired off a 7.50 and 6.00 in a matter of minutes and ran away with the lead.

“That heat was really tight, and I felt a bit nervous at first because I wasn't getting any waves. Luckily a little peak came in and I got a good score and then picked off another decent wave right after that.” Said Griffin, “I'm stoked to be back here at Soup Bowl, and it looks like there's a little swell coming so we could get some good waves.”

Round 1 of the Soup Bowl Women's Pro Junior was also contested today. The standout performer was Hawaiian Bailey Nagy (HAW). Making a late decision to enter the event after competing in the Allianz ASP World Junior Championships in Portugal, the regular-foot looked right at home in the warm Caribbean waters of Barbados.

“It's really fun out there, if you get the wider ones that bend back at you from the channel.” Said Bailey, “I was getting pretty frustrated with myself, before I caught the 8.67. I was sitting really far out, and the set stood up in front of me. I had to go, and after the first section it just walled up perfectly. I'm really happy have a good heat today.

The 2014 Soup Bowl Pro Junior is set to run from Friday, November 14th through Sunday, November 16th. The event will be webcast LIVE via www.barbadossurfingassociation.org.