Young guns fire at the Billabong Occ Stock and Barrels
Billabong Occ Stock & Barrels
Surfing New South Wales
Cronulla NSW, Australia
20 - 21 November 2009
Young Guns Fire at the Billabong Occ Stock & Barrels at Cronulla
The best junior surfers south of the Sydney Harbour Bridge wasted no time in showing their talents today at the inaugural Billabong Occ, Stock and barrels event at Cronulla. All eager to impress the event’s namesake and 1999 ASP World Champion Mark ‘Occy’ Occhilupo, competitors took to the clean 0.5m waves with vigour.
Leading the charge in the Under 16 Boys was Cronulla local Jesse Horner who blitzed his opening round heat registering the day’s highest wave and heat score. Horner was awarded a 9.17 for a series of powerful forehand hacks which, combined with his second scoring ride of a 7.0, saw him easily progress to the next round ahead of Ben Fitzgerald (Queens Par, NSW) and Harry Bartlett (Maroubra).
“I’m very happy with my heat this morning,” said Horner, “Conditions were pretty fun and I got that right hander that offered me some great sections for turns and I got a great score.” Horner is extra keen for a good result here in Cronulla, especially with the prospect of surfing in the Grand Final heat against Occy.
“Occy is definitely one of my hero’s and it would be an unbelievable experience to surf a heat against him,” said Horner, “hopefully I can keep up my form into tomorrow and win my division to get into the ‘Occy’ Grand Final.” In a first for junior surfing in Australia, the winners of the three divisions being contested this weekend – Under 16 Boys, Under 16 Girls and Under 13 Boys – will surf an exclusive Grand Final heat against Occhilupo.
However Horner will have some stiff competition as the event moves into the quarter finals with fellow Cronulla locals Chris Robertson and Jake Scott and Maroubra surfer Jake Scott all notching up dominant Round 1 wins. Action was not limited to the water however with plenty happening in and around Cronulla. An exclusive ‘Occy signing session headlined the day’s activities with surfers young and old queuing for the legend’s signature.
“I’m amazed by the response to the event here in Cronulla,” said Occhilupo, “It’s always great coming home and I’m stoked to see how much surfing talent is coming through the ranks down here.” “I’m actually a little nervous at the prospect of surfing the Grand Final against these kids, they’ll probably flog me!”
Quarter Final action is expected to hit the water tomorrow at 8:00am at North Cronulla beach with the ‘Occy Grand Final’ expected to commence at approximately 12:30pm. For the confirmed contest location, please call the Surfing NSW Event Hotline – 0458 247 212 after 6:30am each day of the event.
The Billabong Occ Stock and Barrels is proudly supported by Sony, VW, Honda Aquatrax, Sutherland Shire Council and Surfing NSW.
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