Copper Medal for Alexis Owen as ISA World Junior Surfing Championships come to an end

For immediate release

13 May 2024

From:  Surfing New Zealand
Sport:  International Surfing
Event:  2024 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship
Divisions: Under 18 and 16 Boys and Girls
Date:    3-12 May
Location: El Salvador
Websites: ISA World Juniors and Surfing New Zealand

Copper Medal for Alexis Owen as ISA World Junior Surfing Championships come to an end

The New Zealand Junior Surfing Team has finished 11^th in the event after a huge 9 days of competition.

On the final day of the 2024 ISA World Junior Surfing Championships there was only one surfer remaining in the event – Dunedin’s Alexis Owen, who contested the Under 16 Boys Division.

Owen who had been on form all event long advanced through his matchup overnight to stay in the main event draw and guarantee a finals finish at the event. Where after a hard fought battle in 2 heats he eventually placed 4^th out of 113 surfers earning himself a copper medal and the best placing for a kiwi at a junior event since 2016 where Elin Tawharu placed 3rd in the Azores.

Surfing in Round 6 of the Under 16 boys, he found 6 waves but unfortunately, they didn’t have a lot of scoring potential. He got off to a good start with a 5.3 however the 2.9 and a handful of 1s and 2s was not enough to get him out of 4^th position, with this result he progressed to the final where he would come up against surfers from Spain, England, and Argentina.

In the final heat of the event Spain’s Dylan Donegan seemed unstoppable keeping busy and catching 7 waves to eventually take the win with an 8 and a 7-point ride. Lucas Skinner of the UK came in a close second with a 7.3 and a 5.6, Thiago Passeri found a 6.8 and a 5.4 to finish 3^rd.

Alexis who hails from Dunedin started the heat straight off the buzzer with a 3.17 and then found a 5.9 shortly after taking the lead with 2 powerful backhand turns on a steep clean face, Lucas Skinner found a similar waves but came in under Alexis with Owen retaining the lead in the exchange.

Unfortunately, Donegan found another left and what turned out to be the best waves of the heat scoring an 8.17.  With time slowly winding down Alexis found a right hander, and on his forehand performed a wrapping carve then a big close out turn earning him a 5.6, unfortunately this wasn’t enough to take the lead and the clock wound down seeing Alexis finish the heat in 4^th place.

“The trip has been amazing, and I’m stoked to make the final,” said an ecstatic Owen.

His 2^nd time in the New Zealand Junior Team Alexis added “heading to Brazil last year has really helped me perform, it gave me a lot of confidence and I came here knowing what to expect, it’s a huge event and the first time is so daunting”. I couldn’t have done it without our team, everyone has been so amazing in boosting the energy and raising team spirit, it’s been such a great experience”.

The team finished 11^th in the world with Australia taking the win, Hawaii 2^nd , France 3^rd, Japan 4^th Brazil 6^th ,Spain 7^th ,Peru 8^th, Argentina 9^th  South Africa 10^th New Zealand 11^th

Please see below for Individual results

Under 18 Boys
Tai Murphy (Ohope) finished 17^th
Taimana Marupo (Mnt) 41^st
Spencer Rowson (Tara) 49^th

Under 18 Girls
Poppy Arkle (Piha) 31^st
Sophia Brock (Mnt) 37^th
Ariana Walker (Mnt) 85^th

Under 16 Boys
Alexis Owen (Dun) 4^th
Harrison Biddle (WGM) 25^th
Benji Lowen (AUS/CHCH) 65^th

Under 16 Girls
Alani Morse (Rag) 17^th
Lola Groube (Pau) 33^rd
Indi lee Ruddell (whng) 41^st

You can see full results of the event here
https://isasurf.org/event/2024-surf-city-el-salvador-isa-world-junior-surfing-championship/

About International Surfing Association (ISA)
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding, SUP and surfriding.  It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964, and the Junior World Championships since 1980.

Further Information
For further information on the New Zealand Junior Surfing Team please contact Surfing New Zealand’s Ben Kennings on 021 2278732 or email benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz.

Imagery
High resolution action images of team members will be available to media free of charge upon request.

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