Wilmot, Simmonds rule the waves

After competition on 28 eight waves - assisted by light onshore winds - Ivah Wilmot and Shane Simmonds were respective winners in the under-16 and under-18 divisions, of the first event of the Jamaica Surfing Association's (JSA) 2008 National Junior Surfing Championships series.

The event held on the weekend at the Makka Surfing Beach, St Thomas, saw six surfers competing in the under-16 division.

Two first round heats were held from which the top four advanced to the final. In heat one Wilmot went up against Leon McKenzie and Armani Green, riding 26 waves between them. Wilmot picked up the best wave of the heat, earning 8.7 points.

Garren Pryce competed against Ronald Hastings and Ackeam Anglin for the final two spots in the final. Twenty six waves were ridden with a number of excellent rides from the young athletes. It was close, but when the scores were tallied, Wilmot (1,000) glided to first place from Pyrce (860) in second, Green (730) and Hastings (670).

Under-18 division

In the under-18 division, three contestants registered for the one-heat final, that saw Simmonds competing against Ackeam Phillips and Ronley Lewis for the championship title.

The heat saw 22 waves ridden, but when the round was completed, Simmonds led the pack on 1,000 points, with Phillips (860) second and Lewis (730) third.

The second event in the series will be held at the Copa Surfing Beach in Bull Bay on Saturday, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

- Keisha Hill