When Julian Wilson showed up on the Gold Coast with a quiver of pink thrusters some snickered, but then when he announced that the reason behind the feminine spray was to raise awareness for breast cancer he received a standing ovation. Inspired by his mom’s successful battle against breast cancer 13 years ago, as well as family friend Matt Hayden use of a pink bat handle when playing cricket for Australia, the teenager from the Sunshine Coast has decided he wanted to do his part to raise awareness for Australia’s National Breast Cancer Foundation. SURFER caught up with him to ask about the boards, his wildcard into the Quik Pro, and get his take on Dane and Jordy’s first year on tour.



Where did the idea for the pink boards come from?



Two of my friends on the Pro Junior circuit have lost their mums to the disease. Breast cancer touches almost everyone at some point of their lives, it could be your mum, wife or friend going through the disease, nobody is immune to its affects.



That’s a pretty mature take.  



You are never too young to be on the look out for breast cancer and all women out there no matter what their age should be on high alert for the early signs of the disease.



Well put. Last year at the Quiksilver Pro you beat Kelly Slater as a wildcard, this year you’re back and have another wildcard. What’s your mindset going into it?



I’ve surfed Snapper heaps, and I kind of knew what was going on out there. The thing about being a wildcard is you’ve got nothing to lose, so I just did what I thought would work and I ended up beating him. And the same thing this year, if I face Mick I know got nothing to lose. I can go out there and do whatever I think will work without worrying about losing points or slipping in the rating or any of the stuff that the regular tour guys do.



Is it heavy being in the water with those guys?



Yeah, I was super nervous last year when I was surfing against Kelly. I know there’s nothing I can really do about it so I just tried to turn all those nerves into a positive. And the more experience I can get surfing against those guys the better.



And then there’s the question of Dane and Jordy. You’ve spent a lot of time in the water with both, what’s your take on their start on tour?



I think they’ll do really well. It’s going to be see where they’re at come the end of this year. I don’t know if they’ll have the knowledge or experience in their first year, but you never know, anything can happen. It’s going to be exciting to watch. Jordy has all that confidence, and that’s going to be a big help for him. And Dane, he’s got all that natural talent. He’s one of the most exciting to surfers to watch, and I think that’s going to bring a lot of new interest to the tour.



And beyond competitive surfing, what else are you doing in the water?



Just trying to work on my combos, you know, transitioning from turns to airs to barrels and stuff like that. I think a lot of the really new moves that people are trying to do are coming from the skateboard influence, but people still want to see big turns and tubes. There’s something to be said for having a little bit of everything in your repertoire.



What about the pro junior scene, how’s that going?



I’ve made a final and a quarter, I’m pretty itching to get a win, but my main focus at the moment is to gather good footage for Taylor Steele’s next Campaign movie.

Ideal surfing conditions continued at Straddie for day two of the inaugural Oakley Pro Junior, with the tournament's top seeds blitzing the island's powerful waves today.



Main Beach provided the ideal forum for round-two action, with surfing young guns from as far a field as Bali, Europe, Hawaii, Japan, South Africa, Tahiti and the USA making the most of punchy 1.5-2-metre beach breaks waves at Australia's North Stradbroke Island, for a piece of the richest Pro Junior prize purse ever.



Oakley's Kiwi surfer Billy Stainamd won Heat #14 today. The heat got off to a slow, low-scoring start, but with 10 minutes left, Billy dropped two high scoring waves and notched a 9.9.



Later in the day, Oakley's Julian Wilson drew applause from the grassy spectator knoll after a demonstration of next-level surfing.



"It was a tough heat in terms of conditions," said Wilson. "The paddle out is a bit long---you've really got to pick the best waves. After two run-arounds, I got three waves and it turned out alright. This is a really good venue for a contest. It'll be different tomorrow because I'll be surfing high tide. My strategy will change, but I'm looking forward to it."



"He's a stud," says Oakley Surf Marketing's Ronny Nelson. "His surfing was very polished today. He's surfing well beyond his junior status. Julian is the next ambassador of our sport---he's that good."



Julian and Billy are expected to compete tomorrow with multiple rounds of the 9-star Oakley Pro Junior tournament scheduled to run.

O’Neill proudly announces the addition of Hawaiian ripper, Malia Manuel, to their girls surf team. At the age of 14, Manuel has already made her mark in surfing with a long list of achievements.  She was a top finisher in the 2006 Haleiwa OP Pro, a 2006 Open Women NSSA Nationals Runner-up, 2007 NSSA Middle School Girls Champion, 2007 Ripcurl Grom Search National Girls winner, and a 2007 NSSA Hawaii’s Open Women Regional Champion.



Born and raised in Waialua, Kauai, Manuel has developed a progressive style and passion for surfing. “I am so stoked to be a part of the O’Neill team,” said Manuel. “It’s great to be a part of an already successful team, and I am excited and humbled to be joining the ranks of Kyla Langen, Sage Erickson, and Alana Mock.”

 

Breaking into the professional circuit, at the age of 13, Manuel achieved an equal ninth place finish at the OP Pro. Her most recent victory at the Rip Curl Grom Search at Salt Creek, California, entitles her to pursue an international title at the Rip Curl Grom Search International Final at Bells Beach, Australia this spring.

 

“Malia has so much to offer our team,” said Athlete Marketing Manager Karin Kendrick. “She is an up and comer in the sport, her progressive and smooth style is top notch. Malia’s competitive drive, skill, and personality represents what our team is built upon and we are super excited to be working with her.”

 

To learn more about Malia Manuel and the O’Neill Girls team, check out www.oneill.com

NSSA SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE

EXPLORER SEASON EVENT #7

MISSION BEACH, SAN DIEGO

FEBRUARY 2-3, 2008



CONDITIONS: 4-6 foot glassy and semi-walled on Saturday turning to chunky washing machine conditions on Sunday with wintry conditions prevailing.



The Southwest Conference Explorer Season continued with event #7 at the San Fernando Street sandbar in Mission Beach, San Diego.  Saturday offered solid 4-6 foot, clean but semi-walled lefts and rights.  Conditions deteriorated on Sunday and competitors braved the elements as a bitter storm front pushed down the California coast bringing wind, rain, frosty temps and turbulent seas.  Despite the unsettled, shifting beach break conditions, rippable sections were still on offer with plenty of scoring potential and some high scoring rides throughout the finals including an excellent 9.25 score posted by Juniors winner Christian Saenz.  



WEEKEND WRAPUP



The Juniors final was fiercely contested matching up No. 1 ranked Brent Reilly with Thomas “T-Grom” Clarke, Christian Saenz, Evan Kane and both Suhadolnik brothers.  Reilly has been red-hot the past couple months winning four straight (two Opens and two Explorers).  He looked poised to take his fifth including a 10-point ride in Juniors round one but 16-year-old Saenz was due for a big contest.  As noted, Saenz caught the money wave in the Juniors final in the opening minutes which set the pace for his first ever NSSA victory.  The Huntington Beach High School sophomore found the sweet spot on a chunky set left blasting the lip with explosive turns on every section.  The wave score came in at an excellent 9.25 average, the highest score of the day.  His second scoring ride came in at a 6.25 which combined for the top heat score of all the finals.  “I’m super stoked,” Saenz said after the final.  “I saw Brent turn around and paddle for the wave but back out of it.  So I was like ‘oh my gosh this thing is a nugget,’ it just stood up all the way.”  Saenz’ victory clearly illustrated his staunch determination to rise up the competitive ranks.  “It wasn’t ideal conditions but I was happy to get a couple, including the 9 point ride,” Saenz said.  “I put in a lot of hard work surfing waves like this on many days in Huntington so I’m use to it.  I’m stoked to see it’s paying off.  I’m really trying to make the top 5 in Juniors.  That’s my goal.”



The Boys final was loaded with the usual suspects. Heading up the list were No. 1 ranked Luke Davis, No. 2 ranked Kolohe Andino and No. 4 ranked Jared and Taylor Thorne (yes the twins were tied for fourth!).  Also making the mark in their first final was Sam Branker and Matt Lewis.  Davis who has made every final this season, turned up the heat right off the bat opening up with a big 7.5 score.  He sat patiently out the back waiting for a heat winner and capitalized when another good wave came through in the final minutes.  He unleashed another 7.5 ride for the win which was his fourth of the season.  In addition, the victory will rocket him to a 1,000 point advantage on the Boys leader board.  In the Menehuene division, Colin Moran has been putting together an impressive year, capturing his fifth win.  Alexa Frantz claimed her third win in the Womens.  Melina Smith who kicked off the season with a victory on opening day, found her rhythm and edged out No. 1 ranked Anise Guzman in Girls final.  Barry Deffenbaugh took charge in both the Masters and Seniors divisions.  Andrew Halstead is the new force in Super Seniors nailing his second straight win and third of the season.  In a heavily competitive Longboard final, Scott Brandenburg squeezed out his fourth victory by a half-point over runner-up Cody Ulrich.     



Brent Reilly has been putting on one heck of a tube-riding show this season and this contest was no different.  Kicking things off in his Juniors Round one heat, Reilly quickly went to work pulling into a thick, heaving left barrel (it looked like you could fit a car into it) disappearing for seconds and just as the entire section unfolded he popped out of the curtain unscathed.  It was an amazing ride and worth every speck of the perfect 10 that he was awarded for it!



COMING UP IN CALI:  The Southwest Open Season event #5 (make-up) will be held February 9-10 at Seaside Reef.  Gold Coast doubleheader events #7 and #8 will go off at C-Street in Ventura.  The Southwest Explorer Season will continue with event #8 at Huntington Beach’s 9th Street.



THE SCOREBOARD

RESULTS

SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE EXPLORER #7



MISSION BEACH, SAN DIEGO



EXPLORER MENS



1.  Nick Suhadolnik-Solana Beach 12.5



2.  Matt Pagan-Westchester 11.0



3.  Dane Zaun-Hollyglen 10.5



4.  Brent Bowen-Hermosa Beach 9.0



5.  Tanner Long-Encinitas 8.5



6.  Kyle Kennelly-Huntington Beach 7.0





EXPLORER JUNIORS



1.  Christian Saenz-Huntington Beach 15.5



2.  Thomas Clarke-Encinitas 13.0



3.  Brent Reilly-Carlsbad 11.5



4.  Evan Kane-Huntington Beach 10.5



5.  Nick Suhadolnik-Solana Beach 10.0



6.  David Suhadolnik-Solana Beach 8.0



 



EXPLORER BOYS



1.  Luke Davis-Capistrano Beach 15.0



2.  Kolohe Andino-San Clemente 12.0



3.  Jared Thorne-Newport Beach 10.5



4.  Taylor Thorne-Newport Beach 8.5



5.  Sam Branker-San Clemente 7.5



6.  Matt Lewis-Cardiff by the Sea 5.5



 



EXPLORER MENEHUENE



1.  Colin Moran-Costa Mesa 12.5



2.  Jacob Davis-Capistrano Beach 8.0



3.  Taylor Clark-Encinitas 6.5



4.  Addy Giddings-San Clemente 6.0



5.  Kanoa Igarashi-Huntington Beach 5.5



6.  Jake Marshall-Encinitas 4.5



 



EXPLORER WOMENS



1.  Alexa Frantz-San Diego 9.0



2.  Erika Cook-Lake Forest 6.5



3.  Sophia Bartlow-Long Beach 5.5 tiebreak



4.  Marissa Shaw-San Clemente 5.5 tiebreak



5.  Taylor Pitz-Laguna Beach 3.5



6.  Tara Franz-San Juan Capistrano 3.0



 



EXPLORER GIRLS



1.  Melina Smith-San Clemente 6.5 



2.  Anise Guzman-Huntington Beach 5.5



3.  Emmy Merrill-San Clemente 4.5



4.  Paige Ortiz-Huntington Beach 4.0



5.  Harley Taich-San Diego 3.5



6.  Charlotte Shanahan-San Clemente 0.0



 



EXPLORER MASTERS



1.  Barry Deffenbaugh-Huntington Beach 15.0



2.  Scott Whitmer-Gardena 11.0



3.  Rick Takahashi-San Diego 8.5



4.  YuFu Penrose-San Clemente 6.5



5.  Jimmy Quintanilla-Duarte 4.5



6.  Steve Ling-Encinitas 4.0



 



EXPLORER SENIORS



1.  Barry Deffenbaugh-Huntington Beach 10.5



2.  Randy Cutshall-Torrance 10.0



3.  Dave Montalbano-Clairemont 8.0



4.  Jeffrey O’Donnell-Canoga Park 7.0



5.  Rusty Phillipy-Cardiff by the Sea 5.0



6.  Scott Whitmer-Gardena 2.5



 



EXPLORER SUPER SENIORS



1.  Andrew Halstead-Los Angeles 8.5



2.  Jeffrey O’Donnell-Canoga Park 8.0



3.  Mike Gillard-Coronado 7.5



4.  Rick Fignetti-Huntington Beach 7.0



5.  Dale Baker-San Clemente 6.5



6.  David Winslow-Encinitas 5.5



 



EXPLORER LONGBOARD



1.  Scott Brandenburg-San Clemente 9.5



2.  Cody Ulrich-San Clemente 9.0



3.  Cole Robbins-Santa Barbara 7.5



4.  Terry Gillard-Imperial Beach 6.0



5.  Michael Lallande-Long Beach 5.5



6.  Eli Gillis-San Clemente 5.0



 

Words and Photos By Stéphane Sisco in New Caledonia

Translation By Greg Amalric



He’s only 19 years old but he’s already considered one of the best surfers of the planet. Jeremy Flores was born in Reunion Island, grew up in Madagascar, moved to Australia, and now lives - whenever he can take some time off- in New Caledonia, just two steps from the Pacific Ocean. He was voted rookie of the year by the ASP for his first season on the WCT, and he wants to go further.



So, from Reunion Island, to Madagascar, back to Reunion, then France, and finally Australia. How did it all happen ?

I had won the Quiksilver Grommets in France and Pierre Agnes (Quiksilver Europe boss) contacted my dad to ask if I wanted to join the European team. We agreed, on condition that I spend 6 months in Australia per year, a country that accounted for 50% of the WCT population at the time. A year later, my family and I took off for Australia where I immediately started competing. My dad, who taught me everything, took me to all the Pro Juniors. I was the little Frenchie who beat the Aussie kids. So for six years we lived six months in Australia, six months in France. 



You were ten years old when you moved to Australia, did you think you would become a professional then?

Yes. One day my dad looked me in the eye and asked me: do you want to become a pro or not? I answered yes, and straight away he said it would not be easy, he would be tough with me, uncompromising, but that some day it would pay off. We worked real hard, and today the results of those sacrifices are here: I was the youngest surfer in history to win the WQS, the youngest to qualify for the WCT, and I finished 8th for my first season.



WQS champion in 2006, Top 10 and Rookie of the year in 2007: prizes are rolling in…Does this come as a surprise or do these results make sense to you?

Winning the WQS in 2006 was totally unexpected, but immensely boosted my confidence. Still, I had decided that my first year on the WCT would be about learning and finding my bearings; first or last, it didn’t matter. I started off pretty well, I was 9th after three events and my self confidence was boosted once again. In fact, I never felt the pressure this season. 



Didn’t you feel a little bit under pressure at the end of the year at Pipeline, when you had to battle for the Rookie of the year title?

Yea, actually I did. If I had been 12th or 15th with nothing more to win, I would have finished off the season nice and easy. But this prestigious title was within my reach. It’s the only time I had some real doubts. Kai Otton had just gone to the final in Brazil, he was on my tail in the ratings, so I had to do at least as good as him at Pipe. 



Which you did, you made it to round five. But again you were hard done by the judges who did not call Dean Morisson’s interference. A shame because you could have gone further in the competition and in the ratings.

It’s all part of the game when you start off on the tour, but yes they didn’t spare me this year. At Snapper the judges didn’t see my big barrel that other pro surfers like Kelly Slater or Joel Parkinson said was worth a solid 8 points. I was looking for some explanation, I didn’t kick up a fuss or anything but still I was fined… I figured I should just let it go. Unlike other pro veterans, I don’t know the ASP staff and I am not friends with any of the judges. I knew straight away that when a heat was going to be tight, the scales would never tilt my way. At Pipeline, it was hard enough not to say anything, but I chose to shut up and avoid another fine. I had priority, he was in my way, I was told that he wasn’t, ok then…The adult world can be surprising sometimes. But I know that in a few years time, it will be the other way around, that against a young surfer, things will tilt to my advantage.



You finished 8th in the world ratings. Did you secretly believe you could do so well?

Again, I had no other intention than to learn and appreciate the ride. I even surfed in a few WQS events just in case I needed to re-qualify. But went well from the start of season, so I figured might as well make a bang, get as much attention as possible.



People keep comparing you to Kelly Slater, do you think it’s possible for you now to make it to the final of a WCT event and win it?

In a good day, I think I can beat anyone. I’ve been compared to Kelly for years, especially in France and Europe. But Kelly talks a lot about other young surfers who rip, like Jordy Smith and Dane Reynolds. It’s up to me to surf better than them. To be even more motivated.



And how do you find this motivation?

I look back at the difficult moments, times when I used to doubt. When I’m thinking: it’s too hard, I’m tired, I won’t make it… I think about the past, I think about my Malagasy friends who had nothing, that’s why I went back to see them in 2006 when I won the WQS. I think about all I’ve been through and overcome. I think about how much my family sacrificed for me, my friends who support me, and the Quiksilver people who have invested so much on me. 



Doesn’t the fear of failing your friends, family and sponsors put you under more pressure?

No, I’ve been ready for it for so long. I’ve been surfing for 17 years, competing for 15 years, and for the past 8 years people keep saying I’m the future Kelly Slater. It’s almost impossible for a kid to deal with that, but I did. Now I know that to win a competition I will have to work on a couple basic points.



What are they?

I’ve got the technique. What I really need is power, more power in my legs. That’s why I train with Yannick Beven, the franco-brazilian, he’s a ju-jitsu black belt, has practiced yoga for ten years and he’s a very good surfer. 



What’s your best moment of the season: your victory at the 6-star WQS in Portugal, beating Kelly Slater at Teahupoo, or making it to the semifinal at Trestles?

All three. Each of them are just as special. I had surfed against Kelly five times, lost every time, but I had come close to beating him. In Tahiti I finally beat him, man on man. It seriously boosted my confidence. In Portugal I won my first WQS, after making it to so many finals. It was my third final of the year after Durban and the U.S. Open. The semifinal at Lower Trestles was something too. I felt so good that day, I thought I was going all the way.



You seem to do well at the U.S. events, a semi at Trestles, the U.S. Open final in 2007, a year after you made it to the semi final at Huntington.

I don’t know why, but I just feel good on those waves. It’s also a matter of the U.S. Open being more than just a WQS, it’s a legendary competition. All the great champs have been there, and won it. It just boosts my motivation each time. It’s great to surf with the crowds right there in front of you, it’s pretty crazy, it’s like a football stadium.



Apart from Chili, the swell wasn’t really there for the Dream tour 2007. J-Bay, Teahupoo, Pipeline, Hossegor weren’t pumping as they usually do. Kind of disappointing, right?

Before this first year on the WCT, I spent two full seasons on the WQS and six seasons on Pro Juniors surfing very average waves. Even though the surf wasn’t that good on the WCT, I never had such a good time. Having said that, I would really like to have some great surf this year to show that I can surf big waves with big barrels. I’m from the islands, I learned on reef, so I like heavy waves.  



Just like at Haleiwa and Sunset Beach this winter. You made quite an impression.

People said it was the fattest Sunset ever surfed in a competition, and indeed, it was big (laughs)! I love that place. I love Hawaii! I’ve been going there for five years, each time I stay there two or three months. The experience allowed me to stay confident in these fat conditions. Hawaii is definitely one of my favorite destinations.



Even though it’s crowded and the atmosphere can get real tense in the water?

The atmosphere? It’s just like anywhere: if you respect people, you won’t have any problems. In the water, I just take the waves I can get. I’m not going for the bombs. I’m not paddling all over the place. I come from the islands, I smile, I get along with the locals, no problems there.



The Frenchman Micky Picon, the Portuguese Tiago Pires and the Spaniard Aritz Aranburu are joining you on the 2008 tour. Will this help you do even better?

Of course, Micky and Tiago are my brothers. There aren’t so many surfers in Europe compared to Australia or the U.S. We are really like a tight family, the up and coming Euro Force, which is starting to mean something. Micky used to show me how to put my stickers on my boards when I joined the Quiksilver team. I was 9 years old. Tiago, well, we’ve been competing together for ten years now. Three or four years ago we used to dream about being on tour together, and now it’s all happening. We’re going to live together, travel together, and share a lot. 



And inevitably you’ll end up competing against each other.

That’s part of the game. If it happens at the end of the season and there’s something serious at stake, it won’t be easy, but there won’t be any giveaways. It’s funny because when we free surf we’re always competing (laughs) ! We do 20 minutes heats, you against me, then you against him.



Will you keep competing in WQS events in 2008 or will you focus on the WCT?

For the first half of the season I will focus on WCT competitions, then I’ll see if I need to go back to the WQS or not. I want to take more time for myself, to go on trips, to spend more time with my family and friends. For the past three years I’ve being going hard, and it was worth it, but I want to slow down a bit. Plus, I don’t have many shots in magazines because I compete too much and don’t go on enough trips. This year I want to get as many shots as possible under my belt and get more coverage in the U.S. and Australian mags. 



The French and European media couldn’t have enough of you in 2007. How was it, having to deal with interviews, radio talk shows and TV sets? 

Pfff! It was insane, it felt good but it took some energy… I was getting as much attention as the greatest French athletes. It’s the price you have to pay, but honestly, I’m happy about it because our image is important, and I’ve got a positive image, in both the surf and general public press, and on mainstream TV. It’s all good for surfing in general. That’s the most important part, ego is one thing, but you have to get over it.



The TV channel Canal + (the HBO equivalent in Europe), produced ten 26 minutes documentaries that will air in January and February. No other French athlete has ever been in the spot light like that.

Again, that is really good for surfing. It’s a sort of reality show, hosted by Bixente Lizarazu, the 1998 world champion player, who’s a surfer too. It’s on prime time TV on Sundays, and it shows my lifestyle in the hotels, before and after each competition day. They followed me for the ten events of the 2007 season, that has never happened before in France. 



You started the year in New Caledonia, with your family. What did you do with yourself?

Not so much, and it felt so good (laughs) ! I spent some time with my parents, I hung out with my girlfriend (Bruna Schmitz, the brazilian surfer). I rested, watched TV, played with my little sister, went fishing with my dad, and I even ploughed the garden!! I finally got to sleep four weeks in a row in the same bed, and that feels incredibly good. I surfed a bit even though it’s summer out here, and I scored some real good waves. Good left-hand barrels. Most waves in New Caledonia are left-handers, and they are all reef breaks. I scored at Ouano, a long left where there is a surf camp I’m involved with. I’m fit, well prepared and relaxed. I’ll arrive on the Gold Coast a few days before the first event of the year at Snapper, and I’ll be ready for it.