Seal Point, Cape St Francis - Pristine, ruler-edged three to four foot lines were peeling down the point at Seal Point at first light, as another epic day dawned at this iconic Eastern Cape point break. It was Day 2 of the Billabong Junior Series, and with waves zippering all the way down the point, there were plenty of high-scoring opportunities. The top junior surfers in the country put on some tight and radical displays of power surfing for the spectators and judges alike.
Excellent conditions prevailed for Day 2 of the Billabong Seal Point Pro Junior in Cape St Francis, with competitors taking full advantage of the great waves. - WSL / Ian Thurtell
With this surf expected to stay for the entire weekend, along with a favorable offshore, it's been proven once again as a fitting venue for the final Pro Junior event of the year. The top 3 men and top 2 women on the rankings will be selected to represent the Africa region for the WSL Junior Championships in Taiwan, taking place from November 26th to December 1st. These are high stakes, and it will all come down to the wire on Sunday.
The Pro Junior Women put on a scintillating show in their round 2 heats, and it was the battle of goofy-foot supremacy, with Zoë Steyn and Ceara Knight both showing skills and tactics in their respective heats. Zoe advanced along with Tayla De Coning, while the powerful and confident Ceara advanced along with Aimee Du Preez.
Ceara Knight went to town on her backhand at Seal Point, banking some excellent rides on her journey to finals day at the Billabong Seal Point Pro Junior. - WSL / Kody McGregor
The waves continued to pour through unabated, and even started improving again on the pushing tide. By the time the Pro Junior Men were back in the water for round 3, it was firing. The goofy-footer Max Elkington dominated his first heat for victory and advanced along with Luke Thompson in second, with Manoa Robb and Luke Van Wyk eliminated from the competition.
Max Elkington was on form on Day 2 of the Billabong Seal Point Pro Junior. - WSL / Kody McGregor
Mitch Du Preez and Thomas Lindhorst advanced from the second heat in this round with some excellent surfing from Du Preez in particular for the heat win, and York Van Jaarsveldtand Daniel Orpen were unfortunately sent packing.
Bryce Du Preez replicated Mitch's victory with a win over Tide-Lee Ireland, with J-Bay's Angelo Faulkner eliminated.
The powerful natural-footer Bryce Du Preez reveled in the good conditions on Day 2, advancing to the finals day. - WSL / Kody McGregor
In the final encounter it was Daniel Emslie and Eli Beukes who advanced to the quarters, with Saxton Randall and Dillon Hendricks being eliminated, despite some big power turns and hard work from both. Emslie, for one, has been on-form at this event and will take some serious momentum through to the final day.
One of the standouts of the event thus far has been Daniel Emslie, with fast and stylish surfing on the open faces of Seal Point. - WSL / Kody McGregor
It will be an early start for the finals day, with the wind predicted to get blustery in the afternoon and the remaining competitors are all set for a big finish.
Inspired Performances At Billabong Seal Point Pro Jr.
Craig Jarvis
Seal Point, Cape St Francis - Pristine, ruler-edged three to four foot lines were peeling down the point at Seal Point at first light, as another epic day dawned at this iconic Eastern Cape point break. It was Day 2 of the Billabong Junior Series, and with waves zippering all the way down the point, there were plenty of high-scoring opportunities. The top junior surfers in the country put on some tight and radical displays of power surfing for the spectators and judges alike.
With this surf expected to stay for the entire weekend, along with a favorable offshore, it's been proven once again as a fitting venue for the final Pro Junior event of the year. The top 3 men and top 2 women on the rankings will be selected to represent the Africa region for the WSL Junior Championships in Taiwan, taking place from November 26th to December 1st. These are high stakes, and it will all come down to the wire on Sunday.
The Pro Junior Women put on a scintillating show in their round 2 heats, and it was the battle of goofy-foot supremacy, with Zoë Steyn and Ceara Knight both showing skills and tactics in their respective heats. Zoe advanced along with Tayla De Coning, while the powerful and confident Ceara advanced along with Aimee Du Preez.
The waves continued to pour through unabated, and even started improving again on the pushing tide. By the time the Pro Junior Men were back in the water for round 3, it was firing. The goofy-footer Max Elkington dominated his first heat for victory and advanced along with Luke Thompson in second, with Manoa Robb and Luke Van Wyk eliminated from the competition.
Mitch Du Preez and Thomas Lindhorst advanced from the second heat in this round with some excellent surfing from Du Preez in particular for the heat win, and York Van Jaarsveldtand Daniel Orpen were unfortunately sent packing.
Bryce Du Preez replicated Mitch's victory with a win over Tide-Lee Ireland, with J-Bay's Angelo Faulkner eliminated.
In the final encounter it was Daniel Emslie and Eli Beukes who advanced to the quarters, with Saxton Randall and Dillon Hendricks being eliminated, despite some big power turns and hard work from both. Emslie, for one, has been on-form at this event and will take some serious momentum through to the final day.
It will be an early start for the finals day, with the wind predicted to get blustery in the afternoon and the remaining competitors are all set for a big finish.
Zoë Steyn
Watch a selection of images from the last event held at Seal Point.
Zoë Steyn's last-minute excellence in the morning light flips the heat from fourth-to-first to overpower heat leader Ellie Harrison as she
Fields Whittled Down to 32 Men and 16 Women in Fun Surf
Large Fields from Europe and Africa Enter Prestigious QS Event, Wildcards Announced to Challenge Seasoned Competitors.
Competitors make the most of what was on offer in Ballito on Day 2
Billabong Junior Series
With Seal Point delivering epic surf for three straight days, Bryce Du Preez and Zoë Steyn shine at Billabong Seal Point Pro Jr.
Small, clean waves and offshore conditions resulted in some excellent surfing.
The last Pro Junior in South Africa this year, the Billabong Seal Point Pro will help decide who's going to the World Junior Championships.