Former Foster’s World Tour competitor Jake Paterson was on ground early this morning in his new role as Contest Director to make the first call of the 7 day waiting period for the Quiksilver Open Keramas 2007.
With a large swell expected to start pushing through over the next 24 hours and continue through the week the decision was made to run the Roxy Open and trials heats for the Quiksilver Open Keramas.
“It is only the start of the waiting period” said Jake. “With all forecasts pointing towards solid waves for the rest of the week we are not in any hurry here however it makes sense to get underway while the conditions are good and finish the trials and the Roxy Open for the girls.” With the call made contestants where not disappointed by the fun 2 to 3 foot clean conditions on offer at the fabled right hander.
The first round of the Roxy Open saw some great surfing from both international and local surfers. Young Hawaiian expatriate surfer, Fesi Clink was the standout of the round winning her heat with a total of 11.26 points from her combined 2 top scoring waves. Other standouts for round one included Amber Gourlay (Western Australia) and local Balinese surfers Nyoman and Stela.
The Semi finals belonged to Yesco who came out in the first semi with all guns blazing, locking in a 7 point ride with her opening wave, winning the semi final convincingly. Amber Gourlay maintained her consistency with another win in semi two but the day was to ultimately belong to Yesco.
With the wind lifting in the final, the girls found it a hard going to find the right waves for high scoring manoeuvres. Eventually it was Yesco who, in the dying minutes, took off on a 3 foot wave, raced down the line, and preformed a solid slashing open face turn to take victory.
“I am stoked!” exclaimed Yesco, an ex Japanese champion who now calls Bali home. The mother of two surfs Keramas regularly with her husband; Bali professional surfing legend Pepen Hendrik. “I surf here with Pepen a lot so I know the wave quite well,” said Yesco. With a combined wave score of 8.77, Yesco beat expatriate surfers Amber Gourlay (Australia), Fesi Clink (Hawaii), and local Balinese surfer Stela to take out the inaugural Roxy Open Keramas.
Today also saw the running of the Quiksilver Open Trials with Kadek Mutika, Nyoman Yasa, Wayan Suartika, Muklis Anwar, Andi Suhandi and Jake Paterson all winning a place in the coveted Quiksilver Open Keramas 2007 main draw. The Quiksilver Open Keramas 2007 is an ISC 6 Star rated event with Rp 30,000,000 prize money. A fresh call will be made for the start of round 1 competition at 6am this morning Bali time.
