Julian Wilson and His Thoughts on ASP Rookie of the Year
SYDNEY, New South Wales/Australia (Friday, November 18, 2011) – Julian Wilson (AUS), 23, has put in some memorable performances on his rookie year among the ASP Top 34. The Aussie prodigy has notched his first Final appearance, launched massive variels and laid down raw power-turns to make a statement while dispatching of the world’s best surfers and making himself a permanent fixture on each event’s highlight reel. Wilson is now sitting at No. 8 on the ASP World Title Rankings, placing the natural-footer in the frontrunner position for the highly sought after ASP Rookie of the Year award by two spots over fellow newcomer Alejo Muniz (BRA), 21, entering the final stop on the ASP World Tour season. STAB Magazine caught up with Wilson to talk about his opening run in the big leagues. This… is their story…
So, your rookie year on the Dream Tour is drawing to a close. What was the highlight of your year? Even though I didn’t get a good result there, I’d have to say Tahiti. It was breathtaking to watch the waves those guys were riding. To be there and witness that in person when it got enormous was a huge highlight of my year. I mean, there was those three events in a row, Chopes, New York, Trestles… Trestles and France were two events where I kinda felt like I was in contention to win the whole event, and that was a pretty cool feeling. It feels good to be getting some results on the WT. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do. It’s felt good to start putting the pieces together after a slow start. It’s been a fun year. But I’ve found my stride a little bit and become a lot more comfortable being able to mix it up with those guys.
It felt like there was a point when you absolutely came into your own. Did you feel that? When do you think it was? The thing this year was trying to figure out what worked best as far as a support crew is concerned, and what would get me in the best frame of mind to compete. I think it just took a few events to figure out what worked, and what didn’t. I think the turning point was going to Portugal solo, just to do the event (a Quiksilver Prime, in June). And I won that event and it kinda just showed that I’ve gotta put in the work on my own and just have one or two people for support, like my brothers. At the start of the year I think I had too many distractions and a fair bit of pressure on myself. So I learnt from all those mistakes I was making at the start of the year and turned it around for the second half.
For the full interview with Julian log on to STAB Magazine.
For more on Wilson view his full ASP WORLD TOUR PROFILE.
Category: All ASP News, ASP Editorial News
now that pipe is over and medina did better than anyone could have possibly expected all you punters need to shut up and take note. you said he wouldn’t compete if it was over 6 feet or he would get injured. not only did he compete and not get injured but he beat shane dorian for christ sake. to not give him r.o.t.y. because of a rule that was in place before the mid season cut was started is ridiculous. look at the numbers. they don’t lie. ROOKIE OF THE YEAR 2011
Gabriel Medina is an amazing talent and will go on to do great things, but to say Julian doesn’t deserve rookie of the year? You guys are trippin! quarters in New York Semis at Trestles final in France, as well as a couple of other quarters appearances he is a well deserving rookie of the year. If Medina had of qualified before the start of the year then things may have been different but i think if you take into account where Medina wins and what other results he has had the consistency isn’t quite there yet!
get the hell over julian wilson, you ask for a more overrated surfer? fuuuuuck move on, why isn’t clay marzo on tour
No doubt. If his surfing alone was a measure of all the attention, it wouldn’t add up. Let’s say the surfing world needs a new Slater, and in his look, marketers saw some hope they have a winner. Unfortunately Wilson will have some grueling years on tour trying to prove something to himself, while his surfing will stagnate to its current level. Someone like Medina has a lot of more room for improvement due its body type and growing strength.
isn’t it funny with Gabriel winning to stops!!!! Isn’t Gabriel the Rookie of the year?????
Distractions – yeah avoid them like the plague. I’ve got 3 brothers and know what he means – having a core support crew and not an entire entourage helps keeps the focus.
medina should get rookie his won 2 events, but who knows as they put him and others in at the middle of the year where they cant challenge for the title it doesnt make any sense,and maybe if medina had a full year slater would not have all the glory,but i suppose they need slater to take sum attention of the silly mistakes and system of the tour.
GABRIEL MEDINA! hands down. it shouldn’t matter that he has only been in 4 contests. he is in a class of his own. julian and alejo have nowhere close to his level of talent.
And another thing, why Gabriel Medina needs a whole year to show he is the best Rookie of 2011?
- In 4 events he has won 2.
- He has managed to take a 10 in France.
- On 2 occasions smashed Kelly Slater
- He is the second best surfer in the half of the year.
Which rookie in ASP history has had such good results and showed a performance like that? Tell me what surfer, even without being rookie, got as much impact in such a short time?
Sorry Julian and Alejo but Gabriel Medina is the Rookie of the 2011.
If you consider only half of the year, Medina is in front of Julian. Medina has 23,500 points. Julian has 21,450 points. For me, it is clear that today Gabriel Medina is the Rookie Of The Year. It may be that things will change at Pipeline and Julian get best results.
In any case, next year nobody will remember that Julian went to a final in France. But everyone will remember that Gabriel Medina won two events and in both defeated Kelly Slater.