Ballina, Lennox Head surf report
Early-morning starts could result in reasonable surf conditions at Ballina and Lennox Head this weekend.
Today there is a north-east swell to 1m, and with the weather bureau predicting south-west to south-east winds for Saturday and Sunday, the beaches around Ballina, Lennox Head and Evans Head will be the places to check out.
Meanwhile, Lennox Head surfer James Wood (pictured, courtesy of Surfing Australia), has gained a wild card entry to join 15 surfers from around the globe to surf at North Narrabeen this month in a bid to win one of the two remaining berths in the annual Billabong ASP World Junior Championships. Stephen Walsh, also of Lennox, is one of 10 Australian qualifiers in the event.
The Trials event, sponsored by prominent eyewear manufacturers Von Zipper, takes place on December 31 and provides the collection of hopefuls a last chance at sealing a position in the prestigious Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, commencing the following day, January 1, 2007.
The field comprises of the eight surfers seeded highest outside the top five in this year’s Australasian Junior Series, six International competitors, as chosen by the ASP, and two wildcards, selected by sponsors, Von Zipper and Billabong.
Surfing Australia says that success at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships places a surfer squarely on the road to a successful professional surfing career.
James Wood is one of 10 Australian surfers to earn themselves a position in the Von Zipper event. Not only has Wood managed to secure a slot in the trials but he has done so by the narrowest of margins, selected as a wildcard entrant.
“I’ve had a pretty poor year, making a few mistakes in a few heats, so it’s good to get such a boost” Wood told Surfing Australia. “I’m stoked to get in.
“If you win it (the Billabong World Junior), it’s a big stepping stone. You get the seeding points for the major, five- and six-star WQS (World Qualifying Series) events and it gives you a massive advantage.”
This year is particularly important for Wood. At 20 years of age and with his 21st birthday falling next May, this is possibly the last time he will be given the opportunity to make a strong impression in a 20 and Under event.
Australasian Qualifiers:
Mitch Coleborn (Maroochydore)
Owen Wright (Culburra)
Brendan Leckie (Palm Beach QLD)
Tom Rudd (Avalon)
Nick Riley (Fairlight)
Luke Cheadle (Culburra)
Stephen Walsh (Lennox Head)
Sam Page (Manly)
ASP Qualifiers:
Mor Meluka (Israel)
Jonathon Klien (Israel)
Wayan “Raditya” Rhondi (Bali)
Reuben Ash (Great Britain)
Hedetoshi Kirizume (Japan)
Heiari Williams (Tahiti)
Sponsor Wildcards:
Dean Bowen (Gerroa)
James Wood (Lennox Head)
