Surfing’s Young Internationals Step-up at Roxy Women’s Surf Festival World Champion Chelsea Georgeson Commences Roxy Pro WQS tomorrow

(Wednesday, January 25th, 2006): Gold Coast based Kiwi Airini Mason led the charge of young un-seeded surfers who sent out a clear warning on day two of the Roxy Women’s Surf Festival, lifting the surfing standards in the opening round of the 5 star World Qualifying Series (WQS) division.  
 
The recent global boon in women’s surfing was apparent with talented competitors representing eight nations vying for the all-important WQS ratings points in the clean 1.5 metre waves of Flynn’s Reef, Phillip Island.   
 
Fifteen year-old Mason took her recent form that has seen her win two back-to-back ASP Australasian junior events to a new level. Surfing with newly found confidence the natural footer controlled the line-up, picking up the better set waves to post the day’s highest wave and heat score with a 7.33 ride included in her total tally of 14 points.
 
“The wins down here have seen me definitely pushing my surfing a lot more, I know I can do it now.  I want to make it three in a row,” said Mason.  “I am excited about going up against some of the world’s top girls.”
 
Another stand-out was Hawaii’s Leilani Gryde, 18, who due to an entry mix-up was forced to contest the trials instead of being seeded into the round three along with other top ranked surfers including reigning world champion Chelsea Georgeson (Gold Coast).
 
Currently ranked at no.4 on the WQS following a recent final appearance in Florida, USA, Gryde dominated in the high quality reef break waves and is making no secret of her goal to qualify for the 2007 World Championship Tour (WCT). The talented teenager will have to overcome Aussie surfing icon Pam Burridge (Bendalong, NSW) in their round, two heat tomorrow to continue her campaign.
 
“I don’t know too much about Pam except she has won a world title and everyone loves her in this country. I don’t really know her but will I get slapped down for that?” joked Gryde who is already regarded as one of the sport’s characters.
 
“This is a really important event for me, a five star is a big one and it’s right at the start of the year so a good result can set the pace for your year.”
 
Two former surfing heavyweights Lynette MacKenzie (Maroubra, NSW) and Kylie Webb (Frankston, Vic) proved they could still out-surf their younger opponents.  The exceptionally talented former top professionals both now compete sporadically and enjoyed strong opening round one wins. MacKenzie is a former world no. 2 while Webb’s highest ranking during her 12 year career was world no. 4.
 
“It’s good to compete again, I actually haven’t surfed for awhile but we moved down to Victoria a couple months ago so it was a good opportunity to see everyone again,” said Webb.  “The standard is awesome. I’ve never seen anything like it in the opening rounds. I’m blown out by the young girls.”
 
Other early round stand-outs included Rebecca Oakley (Sunshine Coast, Qld), 15 year-old New Zealand whiz-kid Paige Hareb, Amy Stewart (Torquay, Vic) and Japan’s Kaori Mayaaguchi all advancing through to round two.
 
Organisers are predicting outstanding surf in tomorrow’s heatwave conditions at Woolamai Beach.  Reigning world champion and former two times event winner Chelsea Georgeson will commence her campaign in round three of the WQS event.
 
Evian will also be awarding $500 to the surfer who rides the longest tube during the six day festival.
 
The Roxy women’s surf Festival is proudly supported by Evian, the Victorian Government “Play it Safe by the Water”, Bass Coast Shire and Phillip Island Nature Park.