YOUNG local surfing talent rubbed shoulders with the sport\u2019s elite when the Surf Coast Shire Rising Star Awards were presented on Tuesday as part of the Rip Curl Pro launch.<\/p>\n
The top three 2018 Victorian Junior Series-ranked under 18 female and male surfers from the Surf Coast received the Gail Couper and Wayne Lynch Rising Star Awards, respectively: Angela Ball, Angelique Kefalas, Arabella Wilson, Cooper Downes, Jackson Kay and Indi White.<\/p>\n
Ms Couper (who won at Bells Beach 10 times in the 1960s and 1970s) and WSL surfer Owen Wright were on hand to present the awards.<\/p>\n
Cr Brian McKiterick recognised the youngsters for their achievements.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese talented surfers demonstrated great commitment and consistency last year. They are great role models for their peers,\u201d Cr McKiterick said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho knows, perhaps one day they\u2019ll be competing in the world-famous event at Bells themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
WSL international deputy commissioner Renato Hickle acknowledged the efforts of the Surf Coast Shire in helping to organise the Rip Curl Pro.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my 30th year on tour, and my 31st Bells\u2026 I spend more Easters here than at home.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been coming here since the early \u201890s, and the work you guys have done in this shire is second to none,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat you\u2019ve transformed this surfing reserve into over those 30 years is an example to follow. It\u2019s really incredible work and I\u2019m really privileged to witness this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Six students from Surf Coast Secondary College\u2019s surfing academy were also at the Rising Star presentations.<\/p>\n
The Rip Curl Pro will run from April 17-27.<\/p>\n
For fans unable to make it to Bells, more than 50 Live Sites will be serving up all the action with a live stream of the event.<\/p>\n
For a list of Rip Curl Pro Live Sites, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au\/ripcurlpro.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
YOUNG local surfing talent rubbed shoulders with the sport\u2019s elite when the Surf Coast Shire Rising Star Awards were presented on Tuesday as part of the Rip Curl Pro launch. The top three 2018 Victorian Junior Series-ranked under 18 female and male surfers from the Surf Coast received the Gail Couper and Wayne Lynch Rising […]<\/p>\n