We’re Back.

Australia has finally put its name back on the world stage at the recent Oakley ASP World Juniors. Gold Coast surfer Jack Freestone took out the event in devastating fashion beating South African Dale Staples in the final. Fellow Goldy local and stable mate, Mitch Crews placed third, confirming that he’s a serious contender for the World Junior Titles to be held at Narrabeen in January. Mitch is currently sitting third on the World Junior rankings and will be looking for a solid result at Narrabeen to add the World Junior trophy to his expanding cabinet. Waves gave Mitch a quick call to see how he felt after the event, how he’s feeling heading to Narrabeen and who he thinks will walk away with the title.

Were you happy with your result in Bali?
“Yeah, overall I’m pretty happy. I feel like I didn’t surf my best in most of my heats but to still get third is amazing. I think thirds a pretty good placing if you feel like your surfing crap. My best heat would’ve had to been in the quarterfinals against Kiron Jabour. We were basically going wave for wave and trading off high scores. I needed a nine-point ride and I only had three minutes remaining. I was lucky to get the wave because I didn’t have priority. It was a gnarly heat but it was so much fun because the waves were pumping.”

Are you comfortable in your position?
“Yeah, I don’t feel like I’ve got a target on my back. I’m phsyced heading to Narrabeen because I feel comfortable there. I spend a fair amount of time their throughout the year and I love surfing Alley Rights. I just hope we get some waves because the last few years have been pretty shitty. I want to try and win this event because coming so close in Bali is annoying. I’m just going to try and do my best and hopefully it works out.”

Mitch Crews, Jack Freestone and Brent Savage: Ripping.

Is there a pressure for the Australians to perform on home soil?
“Everyone’s been saying how bad the Aussies have gone over recent years but I think there’s no pressure at all now. We had our best surfers in the best waves and we managed to walk away with a first and a third. I think everyone performed over there and put our name back on the world stage. Going into Narrabeen I think everyone’s more confident. Our team is as strong as ever and I reckon we can nail it. Freestone won the last event and he’s surfing the best I’ve ever seen him. I think Davey was ripping in Bali but was just unlucky to be knocked out. Ty Watson is a secret giant killer and we’ll have Chris Friend back in our team. I think we’ll definitely have an Aussie World Junior Champ this year.”

How are you going to approach Narrabeen?
“At the moment I just want to cruise into the event. I’m still pretty stoked with my result in Bali so I’m still on a bit of a high. I’m feeling really fit at the moment and confident with my surfing. I’m just happy with out things are going because I’ve also now got a bit of time to relax and properly prepare. I’m just trying to remain positive because if I think about it too much I start to stress out. When the time comes though I’m going to be really hungry. I want to win.”

Who do you think is the main contender for the title?
“It’d have be Jack for sure. I couldn’t think of a better person to win. I surf with him at home nearly everyday together and it was weird to almost come up against him in the final. We were both pinching ourselves at the opportunity to surf against each other in the final but I just got knocked in the semis. If it’s not me winning, I want it to be Jack. You can never count out the international guys though. You’ve got guys like Nat Young, Caio Ibelli and Conner Coffin. They were all ripping in Bali and you never what can happen at a beach break. Fuck, I’d love to see an Aussie win though. We’re all in with a good chance.”

Tags: Jack Freestone, Mitch Crews