Surfing Australia News Autumn 2016 | Page 26

Subway Surf Series The Subway Surf Series has taken over beaches across the country since launching into its second year back in October 2015 with a new and exciting affiliation with the World Surf League (WSL). The 10-event series includes seven WSL qualifying Subway® Pro Juniors and three non-qualifying Subway® Surf Series events. Run and won, the non-qualifying Sunshine Coast, Newcastle and Torquay events were a huge success with great waves and competition on offer. Bodhi Leigh-Jones and India Robinson were the two standout performers across the three non-qualifying events, the pair taking out both Under 16 and 18 Girls divisions at the Newcastle and Torquay events. The WSL qualifying Subway Surf Series events started with a bang in the New Year on the Gold Coast on January 19th with Kael Walsh and Macy Callaghan winning the 18 and under divisions in highly contestable waves at Duranbah Beach. “It’s so good to make the final with one of my best mates,” Walsh said. 24 Issue 13 / Autumn 2016 “All the crew came down so it was cool to have some support on the beach. The waves were tough but I was lucky enough to find a couple I could score on. It’s good to start the year with a win and has me amped for the next event at home in Margaret River.” “I’m really stoked to start the year off with a win,” Callaghan said. “The waves were getting a bit better before the final so it was getting easier to post a decent score. I’m really happy and hope I can continue this into the next few events.” Margaret River hosted the second Subway Surf Series Pro Junior on February 6th with the 18 and under boys final reserved for the best four surfers of the day. Quinn Bruce, Jed Mattinson (WA), Reef Heazlewood, and Zac Wightman provided a real arm wrestle for the win. Drawing deep from his energy reserves, Bruce surfed with power and polish to post an excellent 8.50 (from a possible 10). Scoring a backup 7.90, Bruce finished with a combined two-wave total of 16.40 (from a possible 20) and the win. “It’s been a massive day, but to come away with the win makes it all worthwhile,” said Bruce. “I love it here in WA and all the boys have been ripping today, so I’m stoked.” Mia McCarthy (Margaret River, WA), used her local knowledge to perfection, taking the biggest win of her young career thus far in the 18 and under girls final. “I’m feeling on top of the world right now,” said McCarthy. “I was getting smashed at the start of the heat, I got that one good wave and that was it.” The series then moved to Avoca on the New South Wales central coast where Ethan Ewing (Point Lookout, Qld) and Kobie Enright (Tweed Heads, NSW) prevailed in difficult one-to-two foot peaks. Ewing came up against Reef Heazlewood (Moffatt Beach, Qld) in a final that was packed with excitement, despite the challenging conditions. Ewing took control early, posting an excellent 8.75 (out of a possible 10 points).