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Rixon 'Best on Coast' at B'bong Pro-Teen Avoca Beach
GOLD COAST surfer Dion Agius has secured the best result of his junior career by defeating Ben Dunn (Old Bar) in the final of the Billabong Pro-Teen Series event at Avoca Beach. The Central Coast's lone remaining surfer Lake Munmorah's Wade Rixon was eventually beaten by Dunn in the semi finals Sunday. Rixon who had been a standout surfer all week couldn't find waves with any real scoring potential in the crucial decider with Dunn getting the best of the inconsistent 20 minute heat. “Well at least I can say I am the best on the Central Coast (Laughing),” said Rixon. “I really just couldn't find the waves in that heat. It is a good result for me though and I did beat Ben in the last event.” Matt Wilkinson's reign at the top of the ratings became a short lived distant memory as top seed Dunn edged his way back to top position. The 16-year-old Copacabana rider was the youngest surfer ever to lead the ratings but was eliminated in the fifth round while Dunn's second position today was enough to retake the lead. Meanwhile, Kingscliff's Stephanie Gilmore, 17, claimed her third successive win on the ASP Australasian junior circuit with another emphatic victory in the Billabong Pro-Teen Series girls event. The under 18's world amateur champion defeated Cronulla's Lyndsay Noyes in the one-sided final leaving her opponent requiring a 9.25 on the siren.

Central Coast Surfers Fill Three Top 10 Junior Slots
THREE OF THE top ten ratings places on the Australasian Junior Series are held by Central Coast surfers. Copacabana’s 16-year-old Matt Wilkinson, Michael Spencer (Lake Munmorah) and Andrew Mooney (Macmasters Beach) are currently holding first, fifth and ninth respectively and will be hard to beat competing in front of their home crowds. Wilkinson, the current under 16 world amateur champion became the youngest surfer to ever lead the ASP Australasian Junior Series last week after a second placing at the Pro-Teen event on the Gold Coast. “Realistically, at the start of this year I thought that top ten on the ratings would be unreal,” said Wilkinson. “But to be coming first is just amazing and completely unexpected.” The talented goofy footer finished third in this event last year but remains realistic about his home town ambitions.

Copa's Wilkinson Takes 2nd at Billabong Pro-Teen
THE NEW GUARD of Australian junior surfers broke through at the Billabong Pro-Teen Series today with Sunshine Coast surfer Mitch Coleborn defeating Copacabana's Matt Wilkinson in the 40 minute decider at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. The 16-year-old Copacabana goofy footer, Wilkinson became the youngest ever surfer to lead the ASP Australasian junior ratings today despite placing second to Coleborn in today’s event. The under 16 world amateur champion took the ratings lead from Ben Dunn (Old Bar) upon reaching the semi finals, then continued to his second final for 2005, but failed to post any score higher than a 4.00 handing the win to Coleborn.“It’s weird to think I am the youngest surfer to lead the ratings,” said Wilkinson. “I made the semis at Bells earlier this year then the final at Gunnamatta so I have had a really good start. I came third at Avoca last year and that’s the next stop so I am looking forward to it.”

Benefit Night for Bateau Bay Mum of 3
THERE'S a humble and fiercely proud woman here on the Coast - her name is Tracy and she is now 38 years old. Diagnosed with ovarian cancer seven years ago, her doctors didn't expect her to celebrate her 32nd birthday. Tracy's body now resists such conventional treatment as chemo and radiation therapies. Tracy has three children, 15, 12 & 11 and has no family and little income to help support her growing kids. Money is being raised to send Tracy and a caregiver to Perth for alterative treatment with one of the country's leading specialists. There's been too much sadness in this world since Boxing Day. Help Tracy and in turn ensure her children are also well cared for. If you're planning on a visit to the Coast on the 26th Feb, then how about forking out $60.00 and attending a benefit night at Gosford Race Club from 7:30 pm. For more information and to make a donation, call when you can, 02 4353 5370 or fax 02 4353 5870.

Woods Nominated for Young Athlete of the Year Award
REBECCA WOODS has been nominated in the category of Young Australian Female Athlete of the Year in the prestigious Confederation of Australian Sport annual Australian Sports Awards. Woods' nomination comes on the back of a fantastic previous 12 months of competition which will see the Copacabana surfer join the top 17 women surfers in the world and compete on the ASP World Champion Tour (WCT). The WCT gets underway this year starting with the Roxy Pro on the Gold Coast from March 1 to 13. Woods is one of three finalists in the Young Female Athlete of the Year category along with swimmer Leisel Jones and rower Sally Kehoe.
Surfing Australia CEO, Mario Agius was pleased to see that Woods has been recognised for her achievements. “Rebecca has had an exceptional 12 months and I am personally pleased to see that she has been recognised for her hard work with this nomination."

Australian Appointed New CEO of ASP
FOLLOWING an exhaustive search that began in August, 2004, the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), the world governing body for professional surfing, has appointed Australian Brodie Carr as their new Chief Executive Officer. More than 280 international applications for the position were received, with final interviews taking place during tour-end events in Hawaii at the close of 2004. Carr, 33, comes to the position with a wealth of qualifications and experience and moves to the Gold Coast from his prior employment in London. Carr is part way through his MBA with the well regarded Australian Graduate School of Management, is a member of the Australian Society of C.P.A.'s (Certified Practicing Accountants), and is also a keen recreational surfer.


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