20-year-old chocoholic Todd Rosewall’s blogs from the glorious Pro Junior Series, beginning in Rangiroa.

The huts at Meru Le Bleu, line up view early on finals day and an aerial view of the pass.

Todd Rosewall’s is a 20-year-old natural-footer from Torquay, Victoria. Todd’s mission in life? “To achieve all my life goals and be happy”. No doubt the young chocoholic would include winning a Pro-Junior event in that list of goals – why else would he go all the way to French Polynesia? It certainly wasn’t just to write this blog. Luckily for us though, the karaoke virgin, did pen some words for us – and will continue to do so from every Junior event he enters this year…

Welcome to The Todd Blog [all pics also by Todd Rosewall]

The TNS Pro Junior took place again this year in the picturesque Tuamotu Islands, on one of the largest atolls in the world, Rangiroa.

And it’s safe to say expectations were remarkably high, in terms of wave quality, after last year’s inaugural event produced more ten-point rides than any other ASP Junior event in history.

The journey in was long & painful. Australia to New Zealand, layover in NZ, another air-vessel to Tahiti, overnight stay in Papeete (Tahiti), then up at sparrow’s-fart the next morning for a connecting flight to Rangiroa. This flight was an experience in itself, especially for those who hadn’t experienced air travel in a twenty-seat aircraft before.

Almost two full days of travel behind us, the reward, a perfect reef-pass, warm-water and funnels galore (we hoped), was next on the agenda.

Day one of the event kicked off mid-morning and the rumour mill was spinning already. Swell forecast for the event varying from two-foot slop, to six-foot plus perfection.

Needless to say there were some sour faces from those who had saved their pennies to get here only to surf their heats in two-to-three foot wobbly, and at times inconsistent, waves. Very few waves hit the coral correctly, making those that were lucky enough to score time in the green room, very lucky indeed.

Cabin view of the minute air vessels and a Polynesian Sunset.

There was one heat in particular which flared up, almost as if someone had flicked a switch on. Young Harry Mann (Torquay, Victoria), and junior series veteran, James Woods (Tugan, Gold Coast), traded nine point rides, surfing, in my opinion, the best heat of the event. Wood’s coming away victor by the slimmest of margins.

On Rangiroa, the competitors stayed in what are known as ‘pensions’. Home stays, where the host family provides breakfast and dinner, as well as transport around the island and anything else that’s needed. Ours host’s, in particular, were almost more intrigued in the “challenge”, as they referred to it, than we were. Snapping frames every time we headed out for a surf and questioning us after the day’s competition. Every person you crossed paths with either had something nice to say, or simply threw you a shakka – it was impossible not to feel important.

The second day of competition saw a series of ‘holding calls’ made every hour from 9am till midday, when competition finally resumed. There were some quality time-tunnels being threaded in the morning’s free surfing session. This in turn left some young minds pondering the decision to hold all morning and questioning the forecasting abilities of those in charge.

It was reassuring to know our pillows would float us if our vessel went down.

Amidst the contest hustle and bustle, we took the time to experience everything Rangiroa had to offer. The atoll is known for its abundance of marine life, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. I saw more fish in one dive than I have in my whole life, and was as scared as I have ever been, as sharks cruised by with not a care in the world. It was certainly an experience that won’t be forgotten anytime soon, and something I recommend anyone travelling to French Polynesia should do.
Finals day was all about Garrett Parkes who lead the charge early on in the Quarterfinals, eliminating Tahitian wonder, Tamaroa McComb from the event. Parkes carried on his form and eventually took top honours defeating Dean Bowen in an exciting half hour final in challenging but fun looking conditions..

Todd would like to thank his sponsors: Bourton Surfboards, Hocking Stuart, Creatures of Leisure, Championship Moves, Play It Safe By The Water, Mirrabooka Protein