Competitors Clock Up Serious Tube Time At The Billabong Pro Junior Asia
Surigao Island, Philippines (Thursday, 22 September, 2011) – This morning the Billabong Pro Junior Asia presented by Sony Ericsson, Cloud 9 once again produced the goods. The surf was a touch more inconsistent than yesterday, but the waves were bigger, cleaner and offered more tube time.
Cooper Chapman (North Narrabeen, NSW/AUS) survived a heart stopping heat against local danger-man John Paul Alipayo. The lead changed multiple times as the pair went wave for wave in the pouring rain. Chapman’s strategy was to surf the rights, while Alipayo stuck to the lefts, but it was the famed Cloud 9 rights that helped lead Chapman into the next round.
“It was hard to see what’s going on with all the rain and I was kind of freaking out,” Chapman said. “John Paul (Alipayo) is crazy good out there, he kept backdooring all the lefts and getting good scores because they’re so round. He beat me in my first heat and I didn’t want to let that happen again in the same comp. The wave here is unbelievable, I’ve had some of the best tubes of my life in the last few days, not really big, but round and perfect.”
Philmar Alipayo (PHL) the local wildcard eliminated one of the inform surfers in the event, Alex Dive (NZL). As Alipayo paddled in the local crowd in the tower went wild, and Alipayo couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.
“I’m so happy right now!” Paipayo said. “You had to wait for the sets and I was so nervous. I still can’t believe I’m through to the Quarterfinals!”
Noa Deane (QLD/AUS) defeated Mitch Parkinson in the heat of the day. Both surfers had 7-point-rides when a pumping set came through in dying minutes, Deane snared the first one and got barrelled all the way down the reef and kicked out in time to see Parkinson take off on a bigger wave. Parkinson pulled in, but the wave closed out and the heat went to Deane.
“That heat was a nail-biter! Mitchy (Parkinson) got a sick one at the start, so I just sat and tried to wait for a better one,” Deane said. “When there was 5 minutes left I wasn’t sure one would come, but the waiting paid off. This has been the best comp ever, 4 foot barrels everyday!”
Nathan Carvalho (HAW) eliminated the last Japanese surfer standing Kan Watanabe (JPN) in the final heat of the day.
“I had so much fun out there, I’m loving Cloud 9,” Cavalho said. “The waves are super fun, the people have been amazing and I making my heats, I love it here. I just tried to get on the best waves, I can’t wait to get out there for the next round.”
Stay tuned to event happenings at http://www.aspjapantour.com/live/2011/cloud9/index.php?rLingua=gb
The first event of the 2011/2012 season, the Billabong Pro Junior Asia presented by Sony Ericsson will take place from 21 – 28 of September 2011. The Billabong Pro Junior Asia presented by Sony Ericsson with supporting sponsors Air Asia, Nixon, and Von Zipper. The event is endorsed by the Provincial Government of Surigao Del Norte and the Philippines Department of Tourism, ASP Australasia.
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