Imagine sitting in a class at school tryng to concentrate after just receiving a text from your dad letting you know that you have just made the New Zealand team destined for the World Junior Surfing Championships. That happened to Dunedin surfer Elliott Brown yesterday.
"I'm so happy about it," smiles Elliott. "I wasn't really expecting it because I hadn't had the best results in the small wave comps, although I was second on the ratings."
Elliott has been contesting the New Zealand National Surf Series this year and sits second in the U17 category. He's also the current U18 National Champion. In the 2016 Vissla ISA World Junior Surfing Championships that are scheduled to be held at the Azores Islands, Portugal, in September, he will contest the Under-16 Boys Division alongside Tauranga's Kehu Butler. Kehu has just posted a string of top results in international competition.
"It will be my first time representing New Zealand," explains Elliott, who turned 16 a few days ago. "It's so cool to be on the team with Kehu after what he has achieved these past few weeks – he gives us all the belief that Kiwis can actually do well internationally."
Elliott is quick to point out that another Dunedin surfer probably should have made the team as well.
"It's a shame that Jack (McLeod) didn't get in – he's had a broken arm and has missed a few comps and dropped down the ratings as a result, but he is one of the best surfers around at the moment."
For now Elliott Brown will be locked into winter preparation, working around school hours, wearing a winter suit, hood and booties and chasing as much surf as he can. And travel to the Azores Island isn't cheap – he needs to fundraise $6000 to get there. Right now though, Elliott's focused on the buzz of making the New Zealand Team and so he should be.
See you at the beach ... Derek
PS If you haven't already seen it then take five and watch one of the best barrel rides we've ever seen. This is epic – almost six minutes of mesmerising excellence.
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