Surfing New South Wales

Ocean & Earth NSW Junior Surfing Titles

Sylvester sizzles en-route to maiden state crown

Friday, 30 July 2010

Jake Sylvester (Bar Beach, NSW) earned his first ever Ocean & Earth NSW State Junior crown today as he blazed his way to glory at Boomerang Beach.

Bringing the best 220 junior surfers across the state, day three saw near-perfect conditions as the pristine Boomerang Beach served up memorable waves.

With all surfers vying for a spot in Team NSW to compete at the Australian Junior Surfing Titles at Phillip Island, toward the end of the year, competitors were laying it all on the line.

The blue ribbon under 18 division saw a host of Australia's best going ballistic for the prestigious right to be named Ocean & Earth NSW State Junior champion.

Boomerang Beach proved to be the playground for some of the world's best under 18 surfers with Jake Sylvester (Bar Beach, NSW) reaching the highest reward.

Sylvester, who had been one of the form surfers throughout the week, was over the moon with his win, beaming with the biggest of smiles.

Having been pipped in last year's final a mere 0.60 of a point, Sylvester made a mends today.

"I'm so stoked," he said after defeating Damo Norman (Casuarina, NSW), Connor O'Leary (Casuarina, NSW) and Matt Banting (Port Macquarie, NSW), who finished second, third and fourth respectively.

"This is my last year in the juniors, so to finally win a state title is amazing."

Accruing a massive score of 14.75 (out of a possible 20) in the final, which included a near perfect 9.00 (out of a possible 10), Sylvester surfed with his renowned precision, poise and powerful attack.

However, it did not go his way for the entire heat.

Having watched demolished a wave at the beginning of the final, Sylvester still knew he had his work cut out for him.

"I sat there and watched Damo go to town on his second last wave," Sylvester said, which netted Norman an 8.50 (out of a possible 10).

Nervously waiting for the siren to sound, and with Norman only needing a small score, Sylvester left it up to the gods.

With a standard of surfing set reflective of the high standard of NSW juniors, Sylvester was equally impressed to take down his fellow finalist's.

"Within the next few years there is going to be a host of NSW juniors putting heat on the ASP Australasian Pro Junior Series," he admitted.

"But for now, I'm focussed on doing well at the Aussie Titles."

Tomorrow will see more great surfing action continuing.

The Ocean & Earth NSW Junior Surfing Titles is broadcast LIVE via www.surfingnsw.com.au with live scores, commentary, results, news, photo and video galleries.

For the confirmed daily contest location and running schedule, please call the Surfing NSW Event Hotline on 0458 247 212 after 6:45am each day of the event.

The Ocean & Earth NSW Junior Surfing Titles are proudly supported by Ocean & Earth, Country Energy, Great Lakes Council, Great Lakes Tourism, Suncorp, Sundowner Tiona Tourist Park, Saltwater Wine Surf Centres, Swellnet, Great Lakes Advocate, Max FM and Surfing NSW.

About Ocean & Earth

Ocean & Earth has been at the pinnacle of the Australian and international surfing industry for over 25 years. Based in Sussex Inlet on the NSW south coast, Ocean Earth has become a recognisable leader in both surf and snow accessories and apparel in over 20 countries worldwide.

Through its five year global expansion plan, Ocean & Earth plans to further accelerate its growth both in the domestic and international markets. Ocean & Earth is one of the few remaining independent surf and snow brands to survive in a market now dominated by public companies.

www.oceanearth.com.au