World’s Best Junior Surfers climbing mountains at the Red Bull WQS Selection Camp 2008
Nineteen of the worlds most talented junior surfers from the US, France, Brazil, South Africa, Japan, South America and Australia rose before dawn today to undertake a grueling 90 minute trek up Mt Warning as part of their training at the invitation only 2008 Red Bull World Qualifying Series (WQS) Selection Camp.The exclusive camp which invited 19 future world champions including four Australians, commenced yesterday at the Surfing Australia High Performance Centre in Casuarina, on the far north coast of NSW.
“I wanted this to be cultural experience whereby the visiting surfers
could appreciate the Australian bush environment”, said camp director
and former WQS surfer Andy King. He said that the trek was a perfect
analogy for the camp’s philosophy of being “all about the journey, not
the destination. We got to the top of the mountain and the morning mist
meant there was no view”, he said. “’But that was not important, it was
getting there”, he added.After a siesta to recover from the arduous pre-dawn climb which left many a surfer gasping, an intensive heat drill took place on Casuarina Beach. These drills were designed encourage surfers to build scores as their heats progress. “We wanted to see how their surfing performance is affected in pressure situations”, said King.
Tim Boal from France won the technical heat drill and Wigolly Dantas
from Brazil won the second. “I was not expecting to get this level of
talent across the whole crew, but it turns out that they are all pretty
much at the gold standard”, added King. “I’m blown away by their
performances”, he said.Tonight’s presentation is by media experts where experienced media trainers will be giving valuable information to enhance their ability to deal and communicate with the media.
On Tuesday night the surfers will enjoy a special seminar with world champion Mick Fanning and big wave surfing legend, Ross Clarke-Jones. The duo will spend time revealing motivational strategies, tips, techniques and advice.
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