It's been an unpredictable year on the North America Pro Junior front that's already seen Tyler Gunter and Kirra Pinkerton claim the 2018 Regional Titles, but there's still a lot of surfing left on the men's side to lock in the other three World Junior Championship (WJC) competitors. The Live Like Zander Junior Pro in Memory of Zander Venezia will determine the remaining surfers at the world-class wave of Soup Bowl November 6 - 11.
On the women's side, Samantha Sibley must make the Semifinals to secure her No. 2 spot. But, it will be a battle to finish for the men with five surfers looking to finish in the Top 4 -- and a few dark horses looking to throw a wrench in the system.
Here's the breakdown:
Crosby Colapinto - WSL / John Ferguson
Current No. 2 Crosby Colapinto is in the best position alongside fellow San Clemente, California, native and No. 3 Kade Matson. Both, after dropping their lowest result, sit with 1,995 points and look to improve upon a Quarterfinal result.
Colapinto's back injury sidelined the 2018 breakout performer for a few weeks and still managed to earn a Quarterfinal finish at the RVCA Pro Junior despite the discomforting pain. Now, the 17-year-old will just have to keep pace with his fellow contenders and secure a spot for his WJC debut.
Matson's power game was a perfect match for Soup Bowl last year. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Matson is also looking to finish off a strong year after making two Final appearances this season, the Los Cabos Open of Surf and Vans US Open, with a big turn around from his No. 13 finish last year. The 16-year-old will come straight to Barbados following the ISA World Junior Games with his competitive prowess well intact.
Raynor is currently locked in as a WJC qualifier, but has a lot of work ahead of him to keep his contenders at bay. - WSL / John Ferguson
Beyond the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, which are still open for shuffling, things get interesting as Bo Raynor is in the midst of his best season on the Pro Juniors so far. The North Carolina native is in a tight spot, sitting with 1,745 points after dropping his lowest result, as both Eithan Osborne and Cole Houshmand come into this event with no points to drop.
Raynor's fourth-place finish at the Vans Pro Junior kept him in striking distance before an equal ninth-place result at the RVCA Pro Junior pushed him just in front of Osborne.
Eithan Osborne is back in the Pro Juniors after a stint of high-flying action between the Stab High and Redbull Airborne events. - WSL / Laurent Masurel
By making an appearance, and if Raynor is unable to make it past his first heat, both Osborne and Houshmand can jump in front of him.
Scenarios:
Houshmand is ready to jump back in the jersey for another shot at Worlds. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
- If Raynor wins the event, he secures the No. 4 spot
- If Raynor earns runner-up, Osborne or Houshmand must win
- If Raynor earns third-place or lower, it becomes a battle between Osborne and Houshmand
- Houshmand must finish at least two spots ahead of Osborne to secure No. 4 spot (unless Osborne earns third and Houshmand earns runner-up.
For competitors ranked below Houshmand with a chance at stealing the show, i.e. No. 7 Chase Modelski to No. 11 Liam Murray, the following applies.
- If Raynor, Osborne and Houshmand all lose their first heat:
- If Raynor makes the Final:
- Coleman, Cleland, and Murray cannot catch him, Modelski must win
- If Colapinto and Matson make the Quarterfinals:
- Coleman, Cleland, and Murray cannot catch them
- If Colapinto, Matson, Osborne and Houshmand make the Semifinals:
- Watanabe must win the event, Modelski must make the Final
All the scenarios will be put aside and action will ensue at the Live Like Zander Junior Pro in Memory of Zander Venezia at Soup Bowl, Barbados, from November 6 - 11.
Three Slots, One Decisive Event: Live Like Zander Junior Pro
Andrew Nichols
It's been an unpredictable year on the North America Pro Junior front that's already seen Tyler Gunter and Kirra Pinkerton claim the 2018 Regional Titles, but there's still a lot of surfing left on the men's side to lock in the other three World Junior Championship (WJC) competitors. The Live Like Zander Junior Pro in Memory of Zander Venezia will determine the remaining surfers at the world-class wave of Soup Bowl November 6 - 11.
On the women's side, Samantha Sibley must make the Semifinals to secure her No. 2 spot. But, it will be a battle to finish for the men with five surfers looking to finish in the Top 4 -- and a few dark horses looking to throw a wrench in the system.
Here's the breakdown:
Current No. 2 Crosby Colapinto is in the best position alongside fellow San Clemente, California, native and No. 3 Kade Matson. Both, after dropping their lowest result, sit with 1,995 points and look to improve upon a Quarterfinal result.
Colapinto's back injury sidelined the 2018 breakout performer for a few weeks and still managed to earn a Quarterfinal finish at the RVCA Pro Junior despite the discomforting pain. Now, the 17-year-old will just have to keep pace with his fellow contenders and secure a spot for his WJC debut.
Matson is also looking to finish off a strong year after making two Final appearances this season, the Los Cabos Open of Surf and Vans US Open, with a big turn around from his No. 13 finish last year. The 16-year-old will come straight to Barbados following the ISA World Junior Games with his competitive prowess well intact.
Beyond the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, which are still open for shuffling, things get interesting as Bo Raynor is in the midst of his best season on the Pro Juniors so far. The North Carolina native is in a tight spot, sitting with 1,745 points after dropping his lowest result, as both Eithan Osborne and Cole Houshmand come into this event with no points to drop.
Raynor's fourth-place finish at the Vans Pro Junior kept him in striking distance before an equal ninth-place result at the RVCA Pro Junior pushed him just in front of Osborne.
By making an appearance, and if Raynor is unable to make it past his first heat, both Osborne and Houshmand can jump in front of him.
Scenarios:
For competitors ranked below Houshmand with a chance at stealing the show, i.e. No. 7 Chase Modelski to No. 11 Liam Murray, the following applies.
- If Raynor, Osborne and Houshmand all lose their first heat:
- If Raynor makes the Final:
- If Colapinto and Matson make the Quarterfinals:
- If Colapinto, Matson, Osborne and Houshmand make the Semifinals:
All the scenarios will be put aside and action will ensue at the Live Like Zander Junior Pro in Memory of Zander Venezia at Soup Bowl, Barbados, from November 6 - 11.
Eithan Osborne
The QS is back at the famed stretch of La Zicatela for the first time since 2019 with some of Mexico's premier competitors set to clash
Featuring Eli Hanneman, Sawyer Lindblad, Griffin Colapinto, Imaikalani deVault, Eithan Osborne, Cam Richards, Lucca Mesinas, Bettylou
Eithan Osborne's aerial antics earn him a near-perfect 9.67 and one of the biggest airs in the history of the US Open Of Surfing.
Featuring Miguel Tudela, Justin Becret, Jake Marshall, Jadson Andre, Morgan Cibilic, Taj Lindblad, Sally Fitzgibbons, Sophie McCulloch,
Eithan Osborne clutches his campaign going excellent with an 8.00 in the final minutes to seal an appearance into the Round of 16.
Live Like Zander Junior Pro
The San Clemente, California, native finished the regional year at Soup Bowl with a second Pro Junior win.
Semifinalists are in and all those in the hunt for a Top 4 spot are still competing.
The North America Men's Pro Junior race to Worlds resumed, but a few spoilers look to disrupt the tempo.
The Live Like Zander Junior Pro and Thomo QS 1,000 are set and ready with a promising swell on hand at Soup Bowl.
The Live Like Zander Junior Pro in Memory of Zander Venezia pays homage to one of the island's own to end 2018.