Interstaters beat internationals to take honours at Bells

The hydralyte Sports Surf Series presented by Billabong has crowned Dexter Muskens (Gold Coast) and Zahli Kelly (Tweed Coast) as champions at Bells Beach over the weekend.

The final day of the event was held at the primary location of Bells Beach after an increase in swell overnight that saw three- to four-foot waves at the world-famous beach.

In a hotly contested girls final, Zahli Kelly pulled a rabbit out of the hat in the closing minutes to win the opening event of the WSL Junior Qualifying Series (JQS).

“I’m so happy to win, especially because I did it on my last wave” Kelly said.

“To win at Bells is so special. having a CT (Championship Tour event) here and being able to surf a Pro Junior is an amazing experience.”

Needing an excellent scoring ride, Kelly took off in the final minute and locked in a score of 9.50, the highest wave score of the day, to move ahead of Californian surfer Alyssa Spencer.

“I knew that I needed a big score and I couldn’t really hear the scores because of the wind. I didn’t feel any pressure because I didn’t think I was going to win, so I just wanted to have fun on my last wave.”

Spencer had one last chance to regain the lead in the dying seconds but fell short by .4 of a point, finishing with a head total of 15.00 (out of a possible 20). Kelly finished on 15.40 points.

Kirra-Belle Olsson (Avoca) finished in third on 12.60 points, with Piper Harrison (Gold Coast) in fourth on 6.85 points.

The boys final also saw an equally impressive display of surfing with Dexter Muskens taking the win.

Muskens looked comfortable in the rising surf locking down two excellent rides on his way to a 17.40 heat total.

“It still hasn’t sunk in yet” an elated Muskens said.

“It was my goal this year to win a Pro Junior and to do it so early is awesome.”

“I have been coming here to compete for about five years now. Bells is such an iconic break, I’m stoked to get it done today and take the win.”

Placing in second was Kehu Butler (New Zealand), who also put on an incredible show. He fell just short of Muskens with a 16.00 heat total.

Placing in third was Joel Paxton (Byron Bay) on 11.65 point followed by Jackson Roberts (Central Coast) on 9.50 points.

Full results and rankings can be found online at worldsurfleague.com.

The hydralyte Sports Surf Series will now head to the Gold Coast on April 28 and 29.

The World Surf League (WSL) sanctioned Pro Junior events, which includes 18 and under boys’ and girls’ divisions, form part of the 2018 WSL Australasian Junior Qualifying Series (JQS), providing the winning athletes with an opportunity to win a coveted world title at the World Surf League Junior Championships in 2019.