Girl On Burl Action

Words: Chris Binns

Photos: Andrew Shield

Video: Sam Norwood

ASL has a quick chat with Dimity Stoyle on day two of the Billabong Junior World Championship. 

Eight heats run at the Billabong World Junior Championships today, all on the girls’ side of the things, and for the sum total of two eliminations. It’s a funny old system this 18-surfer draw requires, but with the sun out and the surf fun and fluffy nobody really seemed to mind.

“I watched the boys surf all day yesterday,” said Aussie leader of the pack Dimity Stoyle, “they’re so good out there.” The study paid off and the bubbly Sunshine Coaster smashed her heat, the highest scorer of the day at the time, to progress smartly into round three.

Stoyle is sitting third on the rankings, and would love nothing more than to win a World Title in her home state, a situation helped hugely when the delightfully named Coffey sisters, Ellie-Jean and Holly-Sue, ganged up on ratings leader Joanne Defay and bundle her off to round two. The beach commentators were having a great time with their endless Coffey Club lines and as the clock ran out elder sister Ellie-Jean paddled Defay halfway to Coolangatta to keep her from catching the wave that could have seen her progress. “That was awesome,” said Bong’s full time contest director guy Luke Egan, “they even admitted they teamed up on her out there.”

The planning, plotting Coffey sisters having a mid-heat pow-wow. Photo: ASP/Kirstin

More than ever the girls are an appreciated presence at events like these. As we see time and again in the heats, turns are pushed to slide, fins are flashed and backhand belts are getting bigger all the time. The aggression and mongrel is there too, particularly in pack situations. After having fought for their right to shred for so long the girls don’t hold back. Your scribe found this out on dark last night, clashing rails with an underage grommette as we both fought for the same wave. After the drop-in went down, the unnamed competitor relied on a weapon the boys don’t posses to get out of jail free. “I’m sorry,” she shrilled, 1,000 watt smile piercing the dusk. Ruthless, hungry, and offensively charming, the girls are most definitely on the march.

The girls don't hold back for anyone at Burleigh Point. South African Bianca Buitendag warming up before competition got under way.

We’ll be back in the morning, but whether the event runs is anyone’s guess. Tomorrow is gonna be small, but will also be the last day of good weather. As the week progresses the surf, rain and wind are all gonna pick up, and there’s every chance the pointy end could go down in some mega onshore ramps. Oooeee.

Footnote: Ryan Callinan was hobbling around the event today with his recently sprained ankle taped up, but not as bad as initially feared. He’ll be surfing in round two when next the boys run.

The Billabong World Junior Championship Gold Coast will be held at Burleigh Heads from 21 to 19 January 2012. For more information and to see the Men's and Women's draws head to the website.

A summery Sunday on the Burleigh sand with the girls in action on the Rocky. Photo: Sean Radich

When a surfer drops in on you it's hard to get angry with them when they look like this. Bianca Buitendag. Photo: ASP/Kirstin.

Holly-Sue Coffey didn't have anyone to gang up against in the freesurf.

Bianca Buitendag backhand blasting Burls.

BILLABONG WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS GOLD COAST WOMEN’S ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Sarah Mason (NZL) 17.96, Nage Melamed (HAW) 12.73, Juliana Meneghel (BRA) 8.67
Heat 2: Alessa Quizon (HAW) 15.27, Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 12.44, Philippa Anderson (AUS) 8.33
Heat 3: Ellie-Jean Coffey (AUS) 12.83, Holly-Sue Coffey (AUS) 12.03, Joanne Defay (FRA) 7.57
Heat 4: Leila Hurst (HAW) 14.73, Eden Putland (AUS) 8.00, Maud Le Car (FRA) 7.97
Heat 5: Dimity Stoyle (AUS) 17.23, Nao Omura (JPN) 8.07, Ren Hashimoto (JPN) 6.33
Heat 6: Sarah Baum (ZAF) 18.53, Quincy Davis (USA) 13.43, Felicity Palmateer (AUS) 10.50

BILLABONG WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS GOLD COAST WOMEN’S ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Maud Le Car (FRA) 11.90, Joanne Defay (FRA) 9.76, Ren Hashimoto (JPN) 7.13
Heat 2: Philippa Anderson (AUS) 13.76, Felicity Palmateer (AUS) 12.33 Juliana Meneghel (BRA) 6.17