Julian Wilson (Coolum, AUS) proved to be the form surfer of the day, claiming victory at ASP Grade-4 Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure pres. by Jack’s Surfboards, in improved two-to-three foot (1 metre) peaky conditions over Stuart Kennedy (Lennox Head AUS), Chris Salisbury (Newport, AUS) and Andrew Doheny (Newport Beach, CA).
This ASP Grade-4 Pro Junior event was the first in the nation’s history, offering more ratings points than any other event and providing a crucial venue for surfers looking to qualify for the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.
Wilson wasted no time in the final, acquiring two solid scores in the opening minutes to put his fellow finalists on the ropes, topping off a flawless run of competition which saw him win each heat from Round 1.
“This win feels really good,” Wilson said. “I’ve never had a good result here, and I thought if I came here and did this event it would be good experience for the US Open, and it’s worked out well that I came here early. I’m pumped for the US Open, and I can’t wait for it.”
Wilson was a standout throughout the event’s entirety, winning a total of seven heats over the stack of international talent. The young Australian posted the event’s highest total heat score of a near perfect 18.35 out of possible 20 points in his Quarterfinals heat against current ASP North American Pro Junior Series ratings leader Cory Arrambide (Ventura, CA), Hawaiian standout Kai Barger (Haiku, HI) and San Diegan Brent Reilly (Carlsbad, CA).
“The waves have gotten a lot better,” Wilson said. “I think there’s still a bit of tide on it, but it’s really clean, and there are more fun peaks, and not so many closeouts, and it’s not too hard to get a score out here today.”
Kennedy, who is current No. 1 on the ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series, finished second behind Wilson, proving that his ASP Pro Junior talents extend well beyond Australia.
“The waves ended up getting fun,” Kennedy said. “Julian (Wilson) was surfing unreal, but it’s good to come here and get some money, and a good result.”
Salisbury, who also won each of his heats en route to a Finals berth, rounded out three of the four Australians who surfed from Round 1 into the Finals. The progressive natural-footer, who is currently rated No. 8 on the ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series, is using this event to stay fresh for his domestic ASP Pro Junior Series.
“We’re (the Australians) are all going really well so far,” Salisbury said. “We’re all pretty pumped to get over here because this is our off season in Australia, and we’re all looking forward to keep the ball rolling and keep doing contests, and it’s good that we’re all over here.”
Doheny was the last North American surfer standing against the overseas onslaught, and the young natural-footer put in a good effort against the domineering Australians in the Final.
“I’m super stoked, because this is the best result of my life so far,” Doheny said. “I’m stoked to be the only guy from the United States in the Final.”
This ASP Grade-4 Pro Junior result will launch Doheny forward in the ASP North America Pro Junior ratings, increasing his chances for qualification of the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.
The next event on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series will be the ASP Grade-2 O’Neill US Open Junior Pro presented by Honda beginning in July.
Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure pres. by Jack’s Surfboards Results
Final
1- Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.10
2- Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 15.50
3- Chris Salisbury (AUS) 12.25
4- Andrew Doheny (USA) 8.50
Semifinals: (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Julian Wilson (AUS) 17.40, Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 14.65, Quinn McCrystal (USA) 11.50, Cory Arrambide (USA) 9.15
Heat 2: Chris Salisbury (AUS) 14.65, Andrew Doheny (USA) 12.00, Dillon Perillo (USA) 11.35, Travis Beckmann (USA) 8.75
Quarterfinals: (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 13.20, Quinn McCrystal (USA) 12.00, Nat Young (USA) 10.35, Evan Thompson (USA) 8.20
Heat 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 18.35, Cory Arrambide (USA) 14.60, Brent Reiley (USA) 12.05, Kai Barger (HAW) 9.65
Heat 3: Chris Salisbury (AUS) 14.50, Travis Beckmann (USA) 9.15, Evan Geiselman (USA) 5.25, Cody Thompson (USA) 5.25
Heat 4: Andrew Doheny (USA) 11.50, Dillon Perillo (USA) 10.80, Blake Jones (USA) 8.30, Nick Rupp (USA) 6.75
Round of 32: (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Evan Thompson (USA) 15.75, Nat Young (USA) 14.00, Hunter Heverly (USA) 10.40, Trevor Saunders (USA) 7.50
Heat 2: Quinn McCrystal (USA) 11.50, Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 9.75, Kellen Ellison (USA) 7.70, Austin Smith-Ford (USA) 7.50
Heat 3: Kai Barger (HAW) 10.25, Brent Reilly (USA) 9.10, Adam Wickwire (USA) 7.25, Logan Strook (USA) 6.85
Heat 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 17.50, Cory Arrambide (USA) 14.85, Dusty Payne (HAW) 12.15, Tyler Newton (HAW) 8.35
Heat 5: Chris Salisbury (AUS) 9.60, Travis Beckmann (USA) 9.45, Michael Dunphy (USA) 8.35, Marshall Alberga (USA) 7.20
Heat 6: Cody Thompson (USA) 14.65, Evan Geiselman (USA) 13.00, Fisher Heverly (USA) 12.25, Matt Pagan 9.65
Heat 7: Blake Jones (USA) 12.65, Nick Rupp (USA) 12.25, Eric Geiselman (USA) 10.35, Phillip Goold (USA) 5.60
Heat 8: Dillon Perillo (USA) 15.25, Andrew Doheny (USA) 10.65, Luke Davis (USA) 9.45, Matt Mohagen (USA) 6.20
The ASP North America Pro Junior Top 10: After the Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure
1. Arrambide, Cory USA 2233
2. Beckmann, Travis USA 2131
3. Jones, Blake USA 1890
4. Doheny, Andrew USA 1810
5. Young, Nat USA 1728
6. Reilly, Brent USA 1610
7. Thompson, Cody USA 1588
8. Geiselman, Evan USA 1580
9. Wilson, Julian AUS 1500
10. Rodrigues, Bruno BRA 1485