JANUARY 15, 2008: Current world champion, Mick Fanning, gave advice on overcoming challenges and achieving success to 19 of the world’s most talented junior surfers, including four Australians. The surfers attended the invitation-only Red Bull WQS Selection Camp 08 at the Surfing Australia High Performance Centre in Casuarina, on the far north coast of NSW.

Mick Fanning advises world’s best juniors

Fanning advised the surfers to follow their dreams. “You have every opportunity in the world," he said. “We're all behind you if you really want this; no-one can tell you what you can and can’t achieve."

“You guys have all got the talent, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t make it," Fanning added. His candid advice on the mental and physical preparation that helped him get through his first year on the World Qualifying Series was much appreciated by the squad of young surfer from Australia, the US, France, Brazil, South Africa and Japan, many of whom are looking to move up to the world qualifying tour this year.

World’s best junior surfers climbing mountains at the Red Bull WQS Selection Camp 2008

13 January 2008

Nineteen of the worlds most talented junior surfers from the US, France, Brazil, South Africa, Japan, South America and Australia rose before dawn today to undertake a grueling 90 minute trek up Mt Warning as part of their training at the invitation only 2008 Red Bull World Qualifying Series (WQS) Selection Camp.

“I wanted this to be cultural experience whereby the visiting surfers could appreciate the Australian bush environment," said camp director and former WQS surfer Andy King. He said that the trek was a perfect analogy for the camp’s philosophy of being “all about the journey, not the destination. We got to the top of the mountain and the morning mist meant there was no view," he said, “’but that was not important, it was all about getting there."

After a siesta to recover from the arduous pre-dawn climb, which left many a surfer gasping, an intensive heat drill took place on Casuarina Beach. These drills were designed encourage surfers to build scores as their heats progress. “We wanted to see how their surfing performance is affected in pressure situations," said King.

Tim Boal from France won the technical heat drill and Wigolly Dantas from Brazil won the second. “I was not expecting to get this level of talent across the whole crew, but it turns out that they are all pretty much at the gold standard," added King. “I’m blown away by their performances."

Surfers become seals at Red Bull Camp

14 January, 2008

Boards were abandoned this morning, as the participants took part in a ‘navy seal’ team building exercise at Kingscliff Beach.

“It was 90 minutes of hell and they performed really well”, said Camp Director and former WQS surfer, Andy King. “We evolved from a bunch of rugged individuals into a unified group where everyone took responsibility for the team."

The exercise involved paddling a canoe, surviving a wipeout that left the surfers scrambling up the Kingscliff breakwall, carrying team members and intensive exercises using the canoe as the weight. “One of the selection criteria Red Bull looks for in potential team members is that of sporting character," said Andy Walsh, High Performance Manager for Red Bull USA. “Even though surfing is a highly individual activity, it’s vital that our athletes can work and travel well as a team."

“It was really challenging because surfing is such an individual activity, we don’t often have the opportunity to work in a team environment," said Aussie surfer, Clint Kimmins, 24.

“I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a good way to get to know the international guys," agreed countryman Luke Dorrington, 22.

“We normally compete against these guys, so it was a good chance to work together," added Kimmins.

“It was pretty amazing as it taught us a lot about teamwork," said Matt Wilkinson, whose team members were from France, UK and the Dominican Republic. “The training was really tough, it puts a hard day’s surfing into perspective."

After a recovery session, the surfers were then transported by helicopter from Gold Coast Heli Tours for a trip over the gorgeous Gold Coast beaches and then onto meet Rick Kelly, the 2006 V8 Supercar Champion at Karting in Paradise at Darlington Park. Zooming around the track at up to 90 kilmoetres per hour, the surfers showed that they are just as competitive and energetic out of the water. On 15 January, they enjoyed a special seminar with world champion Mick Fanning and big wave surfing legend, Ross Clarke-Jones.

Surfers beat V8 Supercar champ on track

15 January, 2008

Aussie surfer Clint Kimmins roared to victory over 2006 V8 Supercar champion, Rick Kelly, on the Gold Coast yesterday. UK Open Surf Champion Oliver Adams, whose parents were former champion racing drivers, took third place.

“I really enjoy watching V8 Supercars and having Rick there was great," said Kimmins, who was stoked that he had beaten the champ. “Although he started last on the grid and I started first, I think with one more lap he would have gone straight past me."

Zooming around the Karting in Paradise Darlington Park track at up to 120 kilometres per hour, the surfers showed that they are just as competitive and energetic out of the water. They were divided into two teams in order to encourage the athletes to work together.

“The surfers all did really great, had loads of fun and learned a new skill," said Camp Director and former WQS surfer, Andy King.

“The karting was a huge success," agreed Andy Walshe, High Performance Manager for Red Bull USA. “Even though surfing is a highly individual activity, it’s vital that our athletes can work and travel well as a team."

The track work was the icing on the cake after the surfers experienced another high, travelling by helicopter from the Red Bull WQS Selection Camp 08 at the Surfing Australia High Performance Centre in Casuarina, on the far north coast of NSW, the to the kart track. The majority of athletes had never travelled by helicopter before and totally blown away by the experience.

“It was amazing, I felt like we were rock stars catching a helicopter to go karting," said delighted central coast surfer, Mathew Wilkinson.

King will soon announce the four surfers who have been awarded the Red Bull WQS Scholarship which will provide professional support and financial assistance to their WQS assault. They will also enjoy a special seminar with world champion Mick Fanning and big wave surfing legend, Ross Clarke-Jones.

Talent exceeds expectations

Camp Director and former WQS surfer, Andy King, made a moving closing speech.

“What a journey it’s been," said King. “Five days ago we were all strangers, now we have become really close mates; there was lot of blood and sweat but no tears." King commented that Red Bull had been blown away by the athletes.

“There was no way I thought we'd get this level of talent in one room," he said. “Everyone did exceptionally well and the camp was a great success." The names of the surfers awarded the Red Bull WQS Scholarship which will provide financial assistance to their WQS assault will be announced next week.

Pro surfers impressed

The exclusive camp concludes on 19 January. In the camp’s last surfing session, Brazilian surfer Wiggolly Dantas triumphed over South African Brandon Jackson in solid 4ft waves at Cabarita Beach, NSW. They were cheered on by Mick Fanning, the Red Bull surf management team and a large number of spectators. “The boys surfed really well today, there was a lot of talent out there," said current world champion Mick Fanning.

"It was clear that the boys knew it was their last chance to make a statement; I was very impressed," said Tracks editor, Sean Doherty.

“The surfing was just amazing from the first wave to the last," agreed Richard Marsh, former world top eight surfer, who was a judge for the event.

Pro surfers impressed

The camp concludes on 19 January. In the last surfing session, Brazilian surfer Wiggolly Dantas triumphed over South African Brandon Jackson in solid 4ft waves at Cabarita Beach, NSW. They were cheered on by Mick Fanning, the Red Bull surf management team and a large number of spectators. “The boys surfed really well today, there was a lot of talent out there," said current world champion Mick Fanning.

"It was clear that the boys knew it was their last chance to make a statement; I was very impressed," said Tracks editor, Sean Doherty.

“The surfing was just amazing from the first wave to the last," agreed Richard Marsh, former world top eight surfer, who was a judge for the event.