One of our junior surfers aiming for back-to-back titles
Event one of the Hydralyte Pro starts today with one our junior surfers on the hunt for a win.
Surfing
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COOLANGATTA surfer Kai Tandler will be chasing back-to-back titles as the Hydralyte Pro kicks off.
Some of the best junior surfers from around Australia will today converge on North Stradbroke Island for event one of the series.
Tandler, 18, claimed first in the Queensland leg of the series last year and is keen to get his 2019 Junior Qualifying Series campaign underway.
“I’m definitely looking forward to it, it’s great having an event of this size so close to home,” he said.
“North Straddie is always heaps of fun, it’s an awesome place to go. Having some local knowledge will help for sure.”
Other Coast notables competing includes Snapper Rock’s Jaggar Bartholomew.
The Pro Junior event, which includes 18 and under boys and girls divisions, forms part of the 2019 WSL Australian Junior Qualifying Series, providing athletes the opportunity to win a coveted world title at the World Surf League Junior Championships in 2020.
2018 Australasian WSL JQS champion Zahli Kelly said the pro is a great opportunity for junior surfers to learn.
“Having the Hydralyte Pro Junior Series is a huge help to any young surfer who is looking to gain experience at the next level before moving onto the qualifying series,” she said.
“As a junior surfer you are still learning everything about competing in a WSL event and these events are the perfect starting point, with the ultimate goal of the qualifying for the WSL World Juniors..”
Surfing Queensland CO Adam Yates said he’s excited to see the Pro Junior returning to the state.
“We’re stoked to host a Pro Junior again here in Queensland,” he said.
“The level of talent is so high in this series each year and this event provides our local surfers with the opportunity to demonstrate their skill at home.”
Event one runs today and tomorrow, before the series heads to Cronulla April 27-28 for event two and the third and final at Bells Beach September 24-25.