Burleigh's Getting Ready For The Billabong World Junior Champs

In just 10 days time, the iconic point break of Burleigh Heads will play host to the third and final event on the 2011 ASP World Junior Tour, the Billabong World Junior Championships.

The Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast brings together the world’s top 45 male junior surfers (plus three wildcards) and the top 17 rated junior women’s surfers (plus one wildcard) from around the world.

Jack Freestone flying the Aussie flag proudly after winning the World Junior title at Narrabeen in January 2011. The result helped him top ASL's 2011 Hot 100 too. Jack will be hoping to defend his title at Burleigh in ten days time.

The Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast will be on from 21 to 29 January 2012.

More event announcements will be made in coming days. In the meantime, here’s 10 facts about the world’s most prestigious junior surfing tournament:

- The Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast decides the Men’s and Women’s ASP World Junior Champions.

- It is the first time the event has been held on the Gold Coast. Former venues include Sydney’s North Narrabeen, Victoria’s Phillip Island and Maui’s Honolua Bay.

- At least 11 renowned world surfing zones will be represented with surfers from the following regions pulling on jerseys: Brazil, France, Japan, Hawaii, Australia, USA, South Africa, French Polynesia, Portugal, Reunion Island and New Zealand.

- The Queensland Government, through Events Queensland, is investing in events such as the Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast as part of a record $174 million investment in events over four years.

- The men’s total prize pool for the men’s division is $100,000 with the winner receiving $25,000. The women’s total prize pool is $25,000 with the winner receiving $5,000.

- The men’s and women’s world junior champions will be crowned alongside ASP Men’s champion Kelly Slater and ASP Women’s champion Carissa Moore at the upcoming ASP World Champions banquet on the Gold Coast, February 23rd.

- A free, live concert will take place on Burleigh Point during the event. Stand-by for more announcements!

- Every heat from the Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast will be webcast live. If you can’t get to the beach, enjoy the action via www.billabongpro.com with expert commentary, replays, stats, multiple camera angles, viewer interactivity and more.

- Event co-sponsors and partners helping to make the Billabong World Junior Championships Gold Coast possible include Monster Energy Drink, Sony, Events QLD, Sony Ericsson, VonZipper, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, ASL magazine, Burleigh Boardriders.

- The list of past champions is as follows: