Jack Freestone won the Oakley World Pro Junior Championships in Bali recently… Tracksmag.com spoke with Jack about his epic win.

Jack Freestone (Australia/Qld/Gold Coast) won the Oakley World Pro Junior Championships in Bali recently defeating Dale Staples of South Africa in the final. Eighteen year-old Freestone set up the win with an outstanding opening ride in the final of a 9.57 out of a possible 10. It is Australia’s first ASP World Pro Junior Men’s event winner since 2001 when Joel Parkinson (also from the Gold Coast), won the title. With big name surfers like the USA’s Granger Larson, Kolohe Andino and Frances’s Maxime Huscenot failing to make it beyond fourth round you know this event had a high standard of surfing… Tracksmag.com spoke with Jack about his epic win.

Note: All portrait shots by Tom Carroll.
Plus: HIGH NOON is a feature were we talk to surfers of note and interest. From top level professionals to industry insiders, feral legends and vital grommets.

With some big scores in the early heats were you ever worried you’d peaked to early?

Honestly, I wasn’t worried one bit. I had nothing to loose. I think both of us finalist’s had nothing to loose – we just wanted to surf pumping waves! I didn’t think I peeked as you can’t really peek when the conditions are mechanical and always pumping!

How would this win rate for you in the grand scheme of things?

Well, this win itself is the highlight of my career! A world junior event win is what every junior surfer dreams of pretty much.

Foamball riding his way to victory, Jack [as the mouth suggests] loving life on the junior circuit.

Having your mum on the beach must have been pretty awesome too; no doubt you owe her a lot?

It was amazing having her there to share such a great moment.
I owe her everything… throughout my whole life she has helped me with everything and always been there for me so without her I would be in nowhere land.

What can you tell us about the board you were riding?

I was riding my normal JS 6’0 short board. He has shaped me some amazing boards lately and with those sick boards I wouldn’t have been in a position to win such a big event. Equipment is so important and I’m stoked to have his shapes under my feet.

Have you thought much about Narrabeen and perhaps breaking the drought of Aussies winning there?

To me I feel like I’ve already won! Even though there is another event and a champion to be crowned at Narrabeen. I feel I’ve already done the job – whatever happens at Narrabeen is a bonus. But I will say I never enter an event to get second.

The short intense nature of the Keramas line up requires a concentrated approach to both turns and set up turns. Jack setting up.

Keramas suited your style, but what about Narrabeen?

Keramas is such a high performance wave and because of that I guess it suited everyone. Narrabeen is the complete opposite I suppose. It can be a tricky wave and the lefts favour the goofy footers, but then again Alley Rights can pump also. I’m looking forward to surfing it just as much as Keramas!

Who do you see as the main threat there?

To me everyone is a threat; you’ve got the best surfers from all around the world all trying to win – so anyone with the right waves can win.

Life looks good for a successful junior surfer nowadays – are you the richest kid you know?

It does! I think with the money coming into surfing every good kid these days has the chance to make a lot of money. Surfing is only going to evolve further commercially and get bigger and bigger. It’s good to be amongst it that’s for sure. Getting paid to surf is the best way to make a living I reckon.

What are doing with all the prize money?

I wanna save and invest in something worthwhile down the track. Property, stocks a business? I’m not sure yet. But I do want to be smart with my money.

Well-done and good luck for the rest of the year.