Steve Watts predicts a top-class State Schools surfing event in Ballina
Southern Cross K12 teacher Steve Watts (pictured) is organising the State School Surfing Championships in Ballina on June 4.
“We have a new crop of exceptional young surfers coming to this contest including many local surfers,” Steve said.
Former School Surfing champions are heading up world contests, includingy Adam Melling, a former Southern Cross student.
Stuart Kennedy, another former Southern Cross surfer, was the 2008 Australasia Junior Pro winner.
And the world’s leading woman surfer, Steph Gilmore, is a former Kingscliff High School student who competed in the schools events.
“This comp has the knack of unearthing future champions,” Steve said.
“Surfers to keep an eye on are Phillipa Anderson and Jack Scollard from Newcastle, Ellie-Jean Coffey (Southern Cross Distance Education student) and Lyla Wright (Southern Cross School).
“With Over 60 of NSW’s best junior surfers competing for the honour of being a part of the NSW School Surfing Team to contest the 2009 Arnett Australian School Surfing Championships being held at Coolum Beach in November-December this year, it is shaping up to be the best contest in years.
“This year’s Under-19 Girls Champion will gain a wildcard entry into the Open Pro contest of the All Girls Showdown on June 5-7 which was won in 2008 by former School Surfing Champion Laura Enever from Narrabeen Sports High School.”
