MUSTOFA JEKSEN

Birthday: May 13, 1989
Hometown: Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors: Quiksilver, DC Shoes, Quiksilver Eyewear, Climb 1, Creatures of Leisure
Thoughts on the OPJ Global Challenge: Really great for the Indo boys, because we can learn lots from competing with these top junior surfers.  Good for our development here in Indonesia
Who do you not want in a final in a ProJr: Clay Marzo
Results:
9^th: 2009 Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge Championships, Keramas, Bali, Indonesia

DEWA MADE ARDIKA

Birthday: July 23, 1990
Hometown: Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Oakley, The Pit Surf Shop
Thoughts on the OPJ Global Challenge: Want to win it!
Who do you not want in a final in a ProJr: Clay Marzo
Results:
9^th: 2009 Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge Championships, Keramas, Bali, Indonesia

SAM WRENCH

Birthday: August 9, 1990
Hometown: Ulladulla, NSW, Australia
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: NONE!
Thoughts on the OPJ Global Challenge: So frothing I got the call to come along.  Last year looked like the most awesome comp and I heard it is just so much fun.  Can’t wait to surf some real waves in a comp and make some much needed cash. Anything else: thanks to Owen for pulling out and Oakley for organising the event.
Results:
3^rd: 2009 Hurley Burleigh Pro Junior, Gold Coast, Australia
3^rd: 2009 Oakley Pro Jr Global Challenge Qualifier Australasia
1^st: 2009 Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge Championships, Keramas, Bali, Indonesia

PHOTOS

As one of the premier junior surfers hailing from the Ulladulla area of NSW, Australia, 19-year-old Sam Wrench has proven his mettle in the water time and again, most notably earning the respect of his peers by rushing 10-foot closeouts at Off The Wall a few winter’s back on the North Shore. Heading into the upcoming OPJ Championship event in Bali, Wrench gained access as a surfer when Owen Wright pulled out. But that’s not to say that the Aussie doesn’t post a very serious threat to his junior counterparts.  Look for Wrench to shine on his forehand when the waves get overhead. Also very adept in the air, don’t put it past Wrench to get lofty in a heat if the section requires it.

BILLY STAIRMAND

Birthday: October 21, 1989
Hometown: Raglan, New Zealand
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: DC, Oakley, Kommunity Project, Pukas Surfboards, FCS and Bidonvilla Sushi Bar
Results:
9^th: 2008 Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge ($2,500)
9^th: 2009 Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge Championships, Keramas, Bali, Indonesia

VIDEO / PHOTOS

New Zealand may just be the perfect breeding ground for surfers: plenty of top-shelf surf spots and hardly a soul to get in your way. With only the sheep watching on, surfers like Billy Stairmand are free to practice and experiment at their own pace, developing their own styles and approaches along the way. The formula’s worked out well for Billy. The powerful regular-footer is arguably the hottest thing coming out of Kiwi country, and has the results to back it up. Not only that, the kid came out of nowhere last year to finish equal ninth at the Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge. He’ll be back at it again in 2009 and may not be able to utilize the element of surprise like he once did, but ask him and he’ll probably tell you that’s all right.

NAT YOUNG

Birthday: June 17, 1991
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors: O’Neill, Nike 6.0, Channel Islands, Oakley, Freestyle, Sexwax, Creatures of Leisure, GFH Skateboards
Results:
9^th: 2009 Billabong World Junior Championships
1^st: 2008 O’Neill Cold Water Classic, Santa Cruz
1^st: 2009 Arnette Pro Junior, Newport Beach, CA
9^th: 2009 Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge Championships, Keramas, Bali, Indonesia
Links:
Surfer Hot 100 Profile
Nat Young Wins Cold Water Classic
The Talented Nat Young

PHOTOS

Nat went on a serious tear in 2008, winning the NSSA Nationals and the Rip Curl Grom Search, finishing second on the ASP’s North American Pro Junior rankings, and winning his first WQS event at the prestigious 4-star O’Neill Cold Water Classic. While the target on his back will indeed be getting bigger, there’s little anyone can do to slow this surf-stoked heir apparent to the Santa Cruz throne. Young’s Santa Cruz victory is a small sign of what’s to come and once he hits the water in Bali, you better believe he’ll be surfing his A-Game.

CLAY MARZO

Birthday: July 17, 1989
Hometown: Lahaina, Maui, HI
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors: Quiksilver, Spy, Future, Creatures of Leisure, Vestal, Rockstar Energy
Results:
1^st perfect 10s in NSSA History
2005 NSSA Open Men’s National Champion
1^st: 2009 Quiksilver Pro Escondido
5^th: 2009 Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge Championships, Keramas, Bali, Indonesia
Links:
Surfer Hot 100 Profile
Just Add Water Trailer
ESPN: Surfing Is Life For Clay Marzo

PHOTOS

Clay is unequivocally one of the most talented freesurfers on the planet. Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome a year ago, his minor idiosyncrasies are more understood now, which is translating into more inspired, more jaw-dropping performances in the water.  Mix Clay’s unique approach to surfing and the high-performance waves lapping at the shores in Bali, Clay will be sure to draw plenty of attention as a wildcard in the Championships.

GRANGER LARSEN

Birthday: February 3, 1990
Hometown: Lahaina, Maui, HI
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Billabong, DVS, Dakine
Results:
3^rd: 2008 O’Neill Cold Water Classic, Santa Cruz
9^th: 2009 Billabong World Junior Championships
1^st: 2009 Arnette Pro Junior, Merewether, Newcastle, NSW-Australia
5^th: 2009 Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge Championships, Keramas, Bali, Indonesia

PHOTOS

“He surfs like Bruce Irons,” tells Maui’s Micah Nickens. “I’ve been watching him and all of those Maui kids since they were little groms and Granger has really developed his sense of style over the years.” A very complete surfer, Granger Larsen is not only becoming one of the most eye-pleasing young freesurfers to watch, but he’s also got a nose for competition. Sparing with the likes of Dusty Payne, Clay Marzo, Kai Barger, and a host of Maui’s rising stars, he’s quickly becoming a seasoned competitor. When it comes to pulling in, Granger’s got no problem, even if at times he is a bit preoccupied with releasing his fins and flying through the air. Like the freesurfing/competitor conundrum that’s plagued Bruce Irons, Granger’s going to need to find his focus to take his career to the next level. All the attributes of a future star are there, now it’s just time to chose a path.

MARC LACOMARE

Birthday: July 4, 1990
Hometown: Toulouse, FRA
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors: Oakley, DC, Community Projekt, Spy, Pukas
Results:
2^nd: 2008 Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge ($7,000)
2^nd: 2008 Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge Qualifier France
3^rd: 2008 Billabong World Junior Championships
1^st: 2009 Estoril B! Coast Pro Junior, Caracavelos, Lisbon, Portugal
1^st: 2009 Rip Curl Pro Junior, Hossegor, France
2^nd: 2009 Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge Championships, Keramas, Bali, Indonesia
Links:
Surfer Hot 100 Profile

PHOTOS

Going into the Oakley Pro Junior France 18-year-old Marc Lacomare sat a very comfortable second in the ASP European Junior ratings, and true to form, he blasted through any and all comers to grab the second qualifying spot for the Oakley Global Challenge. “I am very happy because I aimed at qualifying for Bali and it is done”, Lacomare said. “This competition was very tough. The surfing conditions changed a lot and I tried to adapt every day so I am stoked to get back home with this runner-up finish.” It’s no secret that the European talent level has skyrocketed through the roof in recent years, and with figureheads like Jeremy Flores and Tim Boal to look up to, Marc, and surfers like him, are definitely going to be taking things to the next level in the coming years. Don’t believe me? Just tune into the Oakley Global Challenge and watch him go toe to toe with the best of his generation. Marc clinched the European Junior title at the Eurojuniors in Morocco in November, won the French national junior title and came second at the Oakley Global Challenge, and finished his 2008 competitive year with a third place result and the World Junior Championships.

Wiggolly Dantas

Birthday: December 16, 1989
Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Resides: Ubatuba, Brazil
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors: Quiksilver, Red Bull
Results:
1^st: 2005 King of the Groms
2^nd: 2008 Rip Curl Boardmasters, England
2^nd: 2009 OPJ Global Challenge Stop 6, France
Links:
Surfer Hot 100 Profile

PHOTOS

Hailing from Brazil and shadowing big names like Adriano de Souza, Wiggolly Dantas has slowly been making a name for himself over the last few years, winning the 2005 King of the Groms and more recently the 2008 Rip Curl Boardmasters in England.  Strong performances at Off the Wall and Pipeline have also turned heads and spurred thought that maybe he’s cut from a differnent Brazilian cloth..  Regardless, along with rippers Jadson Andre and Miguel Pupo to name a few, Brazil has some serious homegrown junior talent taking root.  Be on the look out for a stacked Brazilian contingent at this years finals in Bali with Wiggolly not backing down from the charge.

CHARLY MARTIN

Birthday: April 4, 1990
Hometown: Guadeloupe, Basse-Terre, France
Resides: Guadeloupe, Basse-Terre, France
Stance: Natural
Sponsors: Nike 6.0, Oakley, O’Neil, Komunity Project
Results:
3^rd: 2008 OPJ Global Challenge Stop 6, France
1^st: 2009 OPJ Global Challenge Stop 6, France
1^st: 2009 La Santa Pro Junior, Realejos,Tenerife-Canaries
5^th: 2009 Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge Championships, Keramas, Bali, Indonesia

PHOTOS

With an apple pie name like Charly Martin, it’s hard to believe that the lad calls the French-owned island of Guadaloupe home. Reared on the peaks around the island and in Europe, Martin, with a massive support base in the form of his family, friends, and sponsors, began competing on the European Pro Junior circuit at just 15. Aging like a fine French (err…Guadelopian) wine, Martin has continued his upward path in the Pro Junior Circuit over the years—a very respectable feat considering the amount of talent that the Old Country has been producing as of late. He’s even done a few stints on the North Shore, honing his heavy water act among the best in the business and adding a few heavywater chevrons to his sleeve.

Most recently, Martin’s name once again began appearing on the tongue of the surf industry when he took home a monumental win in the Oakley Pro Junior France earlier this summer. As a standout performer from an already star-studded cast of European surfers, Charly Martin has proven himself a viable threat in the pro junior circuit, claiming his second ASP Pro Junior Title at Lacanau. Heading into the final championship leg, expect Martin do his European brothers justice.