Youngster happy to face adults
HER board is four-times her age and some competitors three-times her senior but surfing grommet Kauri Heuston-Connor will take it to the best in the Burleigh Boardriders Single Fin Festival.
The 10-year-old will compete in the open women’s division of the festival, a two-day competition starting today.
Heuston-Connor opted to bypass the junior category to mix it with 11 other females including Gold Coast resident Felicity Palmateer, who recently finished second in the Jaws Big Wave Championships in Maui, Hawaii.
Other rivals set to compete in the 23rd edition of the event will include World Surf League competitor Laura Enever.
“Kauri drops into 12-foot vertical skate ramps and surfing a board that is about 40 years old,” surfing stalwart and event host Terry Teece said.
“Her dad got it for her for Christmas. It’s a classic Burleigh single fin. I saw her out in the surf (yesterday) and she is a very good surfer).”
Former world champion Joel Parkinson will surf in a star-studded field that includes Mark Occhilupo and Liam O’Brien, who just missed out on qualifying for the WSL Championship Tour last year.
They will be among 134 surfers competing, with 96 to take to the water in the open men’s division, 12 in the women and 24 in the under-18 titles.
The surf isn’t expected to get over two-feet today but Teece said it wouldn’t reduce the spectacle on offer.
“We have done this event over many years and even when it’s small, the fun, entertainment and spirit is brilliant,” Teece said. “Everyone has a great time.”