Heavy rains plagued the morning's proceedings with a full day of competition at the men's Qualifying Series (QS) Thomo QS 1,000 in Memory of Bill Thomson and both men's and women's Live Like Zander Junior Pro In Memory of Zander Venezia events. Implications remained at the forefront of competition with both the North America QS Regional Title hanging in the balance and a spot at the World Junior Championships on the line.
Challenging morning conditions tested Pro Junior competitors' grit as they looked to make their respective appearances into finals day.
Coleman's backhand attack provided his buzzer-beating score to keep his hopes alive. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
The race for the final spot toward WSL Junior Championships continues at the men and women's Live Like Zander Junior Pro after Cleland took over his Quarterfinal heat for another clutch victory. But, it wasn't the same route for fellow contender Coleman who found a buzzer-beating 5.17 to take down Round 2 standout Isauro Elizondo and keep the fight alive in tricky conditions.
"It feels good to make that one under pressure and I'm still trying not to think about it too much," said Coleman. "It was just really tough out there to find a good one, which there are but it's challenging. Tomorrow's a completely different day but hopefully I can carry that momentum into it."
Spoilers Pose Threats on Finals Day
Caleb Crozier has been contesting events sporadically during his tenure as a Pro Junior and found a breakthrough at Soup Bowl. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
California's Caleb Crozier remains on a tear to end his Pro Junior career after earning his first-ever spot into the Semifinals. The 17-year-old has dialed in his forehand attack to match the power of Soup Bowl, his first appearance at the break, and helped eliminate East Coast threats Blayr Barton and Logan Kamen. Crozier is just one of the three competitors between Coleman's chance at reaching a must-make Final and has shown he's more than capable.
"I couldn't hear anything out there but that helped relieved a bit of stress after talking to my coach who said 'just go get clips,' (laughs)," said Crozier. "If you can't hear just go surf. It's my first Semifinal, I've been doing really bad all year and since I turn 18 next month it would be amazing to win here - everyone is so welcoming and I love the vibe here."
A 7:30am will determine an 8:00am start to the local events ahead of the Thomo QS 1,000 Quarterfinals start.
The Thomo QS 1,000 In Memory of Bill Thomson and Live Like Zander Junior Pro In Memory of Zander Venezia will run November 7 - 10 at Soup Bowl, Bathsheba, Barbados. The event is supported by Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc, Tourism Development Corporation, Eco LifeStyle and Lodge, Infra Rentals. Lynch insurance Brokers, The Atlantis Historic Inn, BHTA, TSL Barbados Glacial Pure, Sun,Group Hotels. Drive a Matic Car Rentals, Garbage Master, Peg Farms Container Services, Zander Venezia Trust, Thomo Charity, Barbados Surfing Association, Creative Junction, and Ry's on the Beach.
Top 3 Race to the Finish Continues at Soup Bowl
Andrew Nichols
Heavy rains plagued the morning's proceedings with a full day of competition at the men's Qualifying Series (QS) Thomo QS 1,000 in Memory of Bill Thomson and both men's and women's Live Like Zander Junior Pro In Memory of Zander Venezia events. Implications remained at the forefront of competition with both the North America QS Regional Title hanging in the balance and a spot at the World Junior Championships on the line.
Challenging morning conditions tested Pro Junior competitors' grit as they looked to make their respective appearances into finals day.
Race to the Finish Lives On Between Alan Cleland and Tommy Coleman
The race for the final spot toward WSL Junior Championships continues at the men and women's Live Like Zander Junior Pro after Cleland took over his Quarterfinal heat for another clutch victory. But, it wasn't the same route for fellow contender Coleman who found a buzzer-beating 5.17 to take down Round 2 standout Isauro Elizondo and keep the fight alive in tricky conditions.
"It feels good to make that one under pressure and I'm still trying not to think about it too much," said Coleman. "It was just really tough out there to find a good one, which there are but it's challenging. Tomorrow's a completely different day but hopefully I can carry that momentum into it."
Spoilers Pose Threats on Finals Day
California's Caleb Crozier remains on a tear to end his Pro Junior career after earning his first-ever spot into the Semifinals. The 17-year-old has dialed in his forehand attack to match the power of Soup Bowl, his first appearance at the break, and helped eliminate East Coast threats Blayr Barton and Logan Kamen. Crozier is just one of the three competitors between Coleman's chance at reaching a must-make Final and has shown he's more than capable.
"I couldn't hear anything out there but that helped relieved a bit of stress after talking to my coach who said 'just go get clips,' (laughs)," said Crozier. "If you can't hear just go surf. It's my first Semifinal, I've been doing really bad all year and since I turn 18 next month it would be amazing to win here - everyone is so welcoming and I love the vibe here."
A 7:30am will determine an 8:00am start to the local events ahead of the Thomo QS 1,000 Quarterfinals start.
The Thomo QS 1,000 In Memory of Bill Thomson and Live Like Zander Junior Pro In Memory of Zander Venezia will run November 7 - 10 at Soup Bowl, Bathsheba, Barbados. The event is supported by Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc, Tourism Development Corporation, Eco LifeStyle and Lodge, Infra Rentals. Lynch insurance Brokers, The Atlantis Historic Inn, BHTA, TSL Barbados Glacial Pure, Sun,Group Hotels. Drive a Matic Car Rentals, Garbage Master, Peg Farms Container Services, Zander Venezia Trust, Thomo Charity, Barbados Surfing Association, Creative Junction, and Ry's on the Beach.
Tommy Coleman
Longstanding Beach N' Boards Fest plays host to WSL for over a decade, Florida's own Benedetto prepares for double task, plus 2022 Pro
The now 21-year-old Floridian Tommy Coleman earned his maiden WSL victory at Cocoa Beach last year and now prepares to strike at the QS.
The WRV Outer Banks Pro pres. by Pacifico received another push of swell with men and women delivering big performances.
The Live Like Zander Junior Pro and Thomo QS 1,000 are locked and loaded for a big finish in Barbados.
Top seeds debuted at the Live Like Zander Junior Pro In Memory of Zander Venezia and Cleland stole the show to join Quarterfinalists.
Live Like Zander Junior Pro
Family and friends look back on what Zander Venezia meant to them and honoring him with the Live Like Zander Junior Pro.
Josh Burke, Ava McGowan and Noe Ledee claimed maiden Soup Bowl wins at Thomo QS 1,000 and Live Like Zander Junior Pro.
Cleland found a diamond in the rough at the Live Like Zander Junior Pro In Memory of Zander Venezia for near-perfection.