James and Mason take prestigious Ocean & Earth Teenage Rampage titles

Mitchell James & event creator Phil Macdonald : photo Jake White/Surfing Queensland

Macca’s Ocean & Earth Teenage Rampage

Surfing Queensland
Duranbah, Gold Coast Qld
24 - 26 September 2008

Duranbah, Gold Coast, Qld -- Mitchell James (Kingscliff, NSW) and Sarah Mason (Tugun, QLD) etched their names in history today, taking out the Ocean & Earth Teenage Rampage in epic conditions. With an increase in swell overnight and improved conditions greeting competitors on the final day of the event, the surfing that eventuated was of the highest order.

James, who had tore the Duranbah beachbreak to shreds over the course of the event, was superb. “I’m so stoked right now,” he said after accumulating a heat total of 14.90 (out of a possible 20); which was highlighted by a brilliant 8.50 point ride.

Defeating Sam Clift (Banora Point, NSW), Noa Deane (Coolangatta, QLD), Jayson Homan (Marcus Beach, QLD), who finished second, third and fourth respectively, James was just happy to make the final. “I had no real thought of winning the event,” he admitted. “I just wanted to do my best and if I made the final then so be it.”

Featuring surfers from as far south as northern NSW (north of Ballina River) and along the entire Queensland coastline, James was quick to point out the high standard of surfing on show. “The guys were all surfing so good,” he continued. “The waves were awesome, so everyone had a really good chance to surf as well as they could.”

The Ocean & Earth Teenage Rampage provides an innovative and fresh approach to the traditional junior surfing competition in an effort to unearth the new wave of Australian surfing talent. One such talent was Sarah Mason (Tugun, QLD) who was on fire throughout the entire event - taking the 16 and under girls title with a crisp array manoeuvres.

Having been on a tear since the initial heat of competition, Mason accrued a total heat score of 13.50 (out of a possible 20) in the final, outpointing Brodie Doyle (Coolangatta, QLD), Eden Putland (Currumbin Waters, QLD), Codie Klein (Kingscliff, NSW).

In the 13 and under boys final it was event standout Eli Steele (Moffat Beach, QLD) who continued his excellent form accumulating a total heat score of 15.76 (out of a possible 20). Defeating Tommy Boucault (Ocean Shores, NSW), Izak Clifford (Marcus Beach, QLD) and Kai Hing (Wurtulla, QLD), Steele was dominant in his display.

Fellow Moffat Beach resident Renee Heazlewood took the 13 and under girls division, finishing ahead of Beth Palmer (Caloundra, QLD), Stephanie Single (Lennox Head, NSW) and Annie Palmer (Caloundra, QLD) who finished second, third and fourth respectively.

Sarah Mason : photo Jake White/Surfing Queensland

Unlike other surfing competitions, the Ocean & Earth Teenage Rampage allows competitors (16 years and under) to surf three heats each without elimination instead of the traditional cutthroat format – with each surfer’s two highest scoring rides from each heat will be added together, along with bonus awarded according to the position the competitor finishes in each heat – something that creator, and former ASP World Tour surfer Phil Macdonald is proud of.

“The teenage rampage was a concept that was developed to promote confidence, experience and fun in all levels of junior surfing, from beginner to champion,” said Macdonald after the blue ribbon 16 years and under finals. “This event is more focused on the kids building confidence over the weekend as there is a greater focus on a bonus points and leader board system – hopefully we achieved that.”

The event, which is the one of four Ocean & Earth Teenage Rampage events being staged throughout the year, is a qualifying event to the Ocean & Earth International Teenage Rampage to be held at Curl Curl in December. The Ocean & Earth Teenage Rampage is proudly supported by Ocean & Earth, Vodafone and Surfing Queensland.