On The Cusp.

The 2010 Australasian Pro Junior Series is coming to an end with the last event starting on Thursday. Things will be heating up at the Dripping Wet Pro Junior at Manly with a lot riding on the results of a few surfers. At stake is the qualification for the World Junior Championship Series. It’s safe to say that the first five places are guaranteed with the last spot up still up for grabs. Mitch Crews, Davey Cathels, Ty Watson and Jack Freestone are all looking the goods with enough points to qualify (Owen Wright also joins the list with a solid world tour placing).
Chris Friend, Chris Salisbury, James Woods and Garrett Parkes are the remaining surfers who’re all vying for the last spot in the series. We called the surfers on the cusp of qualifying a quick call to see how they are preparing for the final pro junior event of the year, the pressure of qualifying and the importance of the World Junior Championships.

Chris Friend

Friendy: Looking to find form coming into the last event of the year.

Pic: Courtesy of the ASP

How important is qualifying for the World Junior Series?
It’s been my goal throughout the year to make the Aussie team. As well as having some really good results this year, I’ve had some really disappointing ones. Everything hasn’t really gone to plan for me this year and I’m not in the position I thought I was going to be in. It’s all-good though, because I’d be stoked to make the team again but if I didn’t, it wouldn’t be too bad. There are a couple of really good events on at the same time and I’d love to have a free New Years.

How are you approaching the final event?
It’s a pretty important one for me. Seeing as though the last comp is only a grade-two contest, the points aren’t massive. But with some of the results I’ve had over the year I’m definitely looking to solidify my position with a strong finish. I just want to have fun with the last event and I’ve put a lot of effort in my preparation. After my shocking result in Bali, I came home and ordered a bunch of new boards and got back into the gym to get fit again.

Are you feeling any pressure to qualify?
I’m actually pretty relaxed about it all, which is surprising. I just want to do well in the event and the whole scenario with qualifying hasn’t really crossed my mind. If you put each situation up against each other, qualifying or not, I’d be stoked either way. If I qualified I’d get the chance to represent Australia again and if I missed out I’d have the opportunity to travel for New Years. It’s something I haven’t been able to do for the last two years because of the World Juniors.

Looking back on the year, are there heats you should’ve made?
Definitely. I’ve had a few stupid heats over the year. I think it comes down to not applying myself as much as I should’ve when it really mattered. In saying that though, I’ve also had some of my best results to date. I won my first contest this year, which was definitely one of my main goals. With one event left, I’m really frothing to finish this year on a high and win it.

Who’s going to win the World Junior title?
I’m not too sure whether Jadson and Owen are going to do the contest but they are always a chance. With the inclusion of an event being at Keramas this year as well as Narrabeen, I think it’s going to open it up to a wider field. I think some of the Aussie guys surf Keramas better than anyone. So hopefully one of us will get a good result there and head to Narrabeen with a bit more confidence.

Chris Salisbury

Critta: Throwing heat in preparation for the final event on the Australasian Pro Junior Series.

Pic: Bosko

How important is qualifying for the World Junior Series?
I think it’s pretty important. There’s a lot of hype around it every year and I think this year is going to be pretty big. Especially as it’s now the series instead of just the single event.

How are you approaching the final event?
I’m just cruising. I’m just going to treat it like any other event. I haven’t worked out the ratings or anything so I don’t know what result I need or what needs to go down for me to qualify. But I haven’t won a contest this year so I’m aiming for that and just going to see what happens with the qualifications.

Are you feeling any pressure to qualify?
A little bit I guess. I kinda always put a bit of pressure on myself to do well. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself though because it’d really suck to be so close and not make the team.

Looking back on the year, are there heats you should’ve made?
Yeah for sure. I definitely had a few tough calls not go my way in the beginning of the year and that made things a lot more difficult. At the same time though, I’ve had plenty of bad calls go my way throughout my career so I guess you’ve just got to roll with it.

Who’s going to win the World Junior title this year?
I reckon there’s a good chance one of the Aussies could take it out. We’re going to have a pretty solid team and I think we’re definitely overdue for a win.

James Woods

Despite suffering an injury during the early stages of the year, James has finished strong and is a position to qualify for the World Junior Series.

Pic: Courtesy of the ASP

How important is qualifying for the World Junior Series?
It’s definitely a priority on my list. Everybody and anybody are watching that event and if you want to make you have to do well there. I’m lucky I’ve still got one more year left to try and qualify for it.

How are you approaching the final event?
I think I’ve worked it out and I pretty much have to win the event to qualify. You know, the event is super important but I don’t want to take it too seriously and start freaking about it. I’m just going to take it as it comes and everybody competing in the event surfs so good. Obviously I’m going to try my hardest to do well and take out the event, but I don’t want to be too disappointed if I don’t make it.

Are you feeling any pressure to qualify?
No, not really. I guess there is a little bit of pressure with the whole scenario of qualifying but I guess it’s just another competition that I get to surf in. I was injured at the start of the year and I’m stoked I’m just going to finish in the top ten.

Looking back on the year, are there heats you should’ve made?
Yeah, there were a bunch of events I definitely should’ve made. Looking back on the injury though, I think I would’ve made a lot more heats if I didn’t have it. I think I would’ve been in a better position to qualify.

Who’s going to win the World Junior title?
From my perspective I think I’m going to say Davey. I think he has been surfing amazing and he also has the local advantage at Narrabeen. Although there are some international guys that I think could pose a serious threat. I think guys like Nat Young and Gabriel Medina could also win. I guess it’s going to come down what the conditions are like and who’s surfing the best on the day.

Garrett Parkes

Garrett training his ass off somewhere in the Mentawais.

Pic: Bosko

How important is qualifying for the World Junior Series?
Yeah, it’s definitely a high priority for me. I’ve been trying my ass off to qualify this year and I guess I’ve just been unlucky not to get a good result. I haven’t had a decent win over the year but coming into the last event I really want to win.

How are you approaching the final event?
I think I’ve got to get a pretty good result at the last event to try and qualify. I think the last event is going to be pretty loose so I’m going to have to steer clear of the party scene. I’m frothing to try and get a good result. I’m just going to approach it the same way I have been all year. I hope it works out this time.

Are you feeling any pressure to qualify?
Nah, none at all. I guess I always put a little bit of pressure on myself to perform in any event. If I do have the chance of qualifying I don’t really want to think about it but I know it’s always going to be there. I’ve also got next year as well so I’ll be looking forward to that if I don’t make it.

Looking back on the year, are there heats you should’ve made?
Yeah, there’ve been a couple of heats that I should’ve made but I made stupid mistakes and got knocked. You have to roll with the judge’s decision though because they know their shit and you can’t blow up too much. Everyone makes stupid mistakes in heats.

Who’s going to win the World Junior title?
I’d like to see Davey do well in the contest. There’s always a strong contingent of Brazzos and Seppos. Guys like Kolohe and Nat Young will make a strong charge but you never know. There are always upsets at the World Juniors.

-Sam Paterson

Tags: Chris Friend, Chris Salisbury, Garrett Parkes, James Woods, Mitch Crews