BARBADOS’ top junior surfers have taken on the surfing world and have made names for themselves and the island in the past year.
This was revealed as the Barbados Junior Surfing Club (BJSC) held its annual awards ceremony at Harbour Lights, last Saturday.
BJSC vice-president Gregory Rose, who delivered the feature address, said it was now time for at least two
of those surfers to step up their game and move on
to the international arena.
He noted that it was amazing how far the young surfers had come
in the year since
the BJSC’s founding.
“A year or so ago we were watching our kids heading down the line
and today these kids
are throwing massive airs in your face,” he said.
“And this is why we [the BJSC] are here.
We’re here to celebrate our youth, celebrate our surfing, but to also support the bigger cause: to help our juniors progress with training, structured events and promoting them to the wider surfing community, and one day we will see a Barbadian surfer on the professional World Tour,” he told those gathered.
The vice-president noted that surfers Joshua Burke, who topped three categories, Dane Mackie and Danny Edghill, have had a fantastic 2010.
However, he singled out the Chelseas – Chelsea Roett and Chelsea Tuach – as the two surfers who should start competing on the World Tour.
Rose further deemed last year’s Burkie Junior Surf Series “a huge success”.
He said that not only had the events attracted more than 60 junior surfers, but the Family Fun Day, which was geared towards beginner and intermediate surfers, was well received.
The future of surfing was assured, he added.
Rose also said that the BJSC had managed to attract sponsors new to surfing, and the sport was also featured on international websites and magazines.
“Our message is reaching the wider surfing community. We will be expanding this effort and promoting our juniors to attract the necessary attention and sponsorship to allow them to progress to the next level on the international professional arena.”
Meanwhile, Richard Rose of Lynch Insurance Brokers who partnered with the BJSC to present an academic award to the club’s top scholar, said the award was part of a commitment to encourage well-rounded athletes.
The awardees
10-and-Under: Che Allan, Andrew Rose, Jacob Burke, Zander Venezia, Yuri Scutt, Evan Moll, Lily Von Treuenfels, Morgan Rice.
12-and-Under Boys: Joshua Burke, Dane Mackie, Che Allan, Gavin Fernandes, Jacob Burke, Andrew Rose, Zander Venezia, Dylan Downie.
Under-16: Chelsea Roett, Chelsea Tuach, Danny Edghill, Dane Mackie, Joshua Burke, Joshua Galt, Jack McCall, Dylan Downie.
Under-18 Girls: Chelsea Roett, Chelsea Tuach, Isabella Venezia, Ametza Nicholls, Gylla Mackenzie, Lily Von Treuenfels, Annemiek Mackie, Chelsie Grant.
12-and-Under Girls: Isabella Venezia, Lily Von Treuenfels, Alex Cole, Morgan Rice, Anna Aimetti, Maria Huapaya, Gylla Mackenzie, Kayla Archer.
14-and-Under: Joshua Burke, Dane Mackie, Chelsea Tuach, Che Allan, Danny Edghill, Joshua Galt, Jacob Burke, Dylan Downie.
Under-18 Boys: Joshua Burke, Danny Edghill, Dane Mackie, Joshua Galt, Gavin Fernandes, Jacob Burke, Jack McCall, Nicholas O’Neal.
Special Awards
Most Effort: Yuri Scutt and Jack McCall.
Most Improved Surfer: Josh Galt.
Sportsmanship Award:
Chelsea Roett.
International Media Award:
Eastern Surf Magazine
BJSC/Lynch Insurance Brokers Academic Award: Chelsea Tuach and Joshua Galt.