Our intrepid Pro Junior blogger, surfer Todd Rosewall, reports from South Australia.

Our intrepid Pro Junior writer Todd Rosewall straightens out on a bomb at home at Winki Pop. Pic: Ben Differding

Foreword: Who is Todd? 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 by Todd Rosewall]

– Southern

Middleton Beach (also known as Dribbleton) looking more like a sewer plant.

Time does quick and once again the time of year had come to head to Victor Harbour for the 6 Star Fantastic Noodles Pro Junior. Mid July has signified the running of this event for the past 3 years, right in the midst of the harsh Australian winter. In previous years juniors had jetted directly to Bali for the Keramas Pro Junior, only 12 hours shy of the completion of this event. However due to the culling of the Keramas event the Fantastic Noodles Pro Junior was to be final event of the ASP Australasian Junior Series and a make or break for competitors.

Like previous years I chose to do the long haul drive from Torquay heading due west across the border and then south down into Victor Harbour. After roughly 750km and 9 hours of driving I was sure I was delirious upon arrival at the famed Middleton Beach. The ocean was a sediment ridden dark brown colour and one that was certainly not fit for aquatic activity. After reflecting upon my year 12 case study for Geography: The Murray River, I soon remembered that the Murray River has distributaries just west of Middleton. This had burst due to the heavy floods earlier on in the year (upstream) and was washing out anything and everything that was caught in the rivers flow.

The Ferry’s operational system, cables.

With the remnants of a solid south swell still lingering for days prior to the event, the Victor Harbour city beaches were abused by over energised juniors as they prepped themselves for event. However with the arrival of sun kissed sky and a stiff northerly breeze on the opening morning of competition, officials made the call to run further west at the events primary location, Waitpinga.

I personally love winter; as for Victoria it is when the great Southern Ocean and our reefs come to life (and the week leading up to the event was a prime example of this). Though judging by the remarks made by some northern staters most were struggling to adapt to the frigid land and sea temperatures. Though the change in weather certainly didn’t seem to phase the top seeds as they powered their way through the opening day and deeper into the event.

Driving to Waitpinga beach each day there was something that always flicked my mind. There is one particular tree that sits almost on the asphalt on the road. This tree has puzzled me every time I have been here and its existence is still something I question. I’m am unaware as to whether it has claimed a life but I do stress and wonder if one day that tree is the scene of something tragic. Though I did notice someone has placed an Ohm sign on the tree in a bid to wish all passers by good luck and a safe journey.

The final day was as good a final day as it could have been. With so much on the line and so many ratings scenarios possible you could feel the tension in the air and almost slice it with a knife. After some close encounters and last second exchanges it was Ryan Callinan who first progressed to the final.  The other semi saw a tough bout between Thomas Woods and Dean Bowen. In the end it was Woods who sealed victory and in turn the Australasian Junior series title, he was a well-deserved winner after ever so consistent year. Though the day belonged to Novocastrian Ryan Callinan as he surfed his way to a lifetime supply of noodle and the Fantastic Noodles Pro Junior Title.

The road I’ve always wanted and a tree that reminded me of the Whomping Willow Tree out of Harry Potter.