Can you feel it? There’s a revolution in the air. And like most revolutions, it’s being led by the youth. In lineups across the world, young surfers are changing the way we define progressive surfing with every tweaked air and full rotation they stick. It was with the recognition of this growing movement in mind that the Oakley Pro Junior events were born.

Garrett Parkes

As a means to gather the most technically savvy male and female surfers in the world together under the banner of competition the 2012 string of events will see the tour stop at three different worldly locations, including North Stradbroke, Aus., Japan, and will culminate with the prestigious Oakley World Pro Junior Bali held a Canggu and Keramas. In conjunction with the ASP World Junior Tour, the points earned in the OWPJ Bali will play a critical role in crowning an overall junior champion.

The action begins on February 1 at North Stradbroke where the Aussies play host for the inaugural event of the series. With an amazing arsenal of talent calling the Lucky Country home, the event will undoubtedly raise the bar. When the tour sets up their scaffoldings in Japan on August 4, expect to see an air show as the beachbreak ramps are perfectly suited for tech surfing. And finally on October 6, for the event that’s built a reputation not only for it’s picture-perfect lineup, but for the mind-numbing display of surfing, the Oakley World Pro Junior will act as the second of three stops in the 2012 World Junior Tour.

Tanner Hendrickson

In the past, we’ve seen some of the most fabled juniors take hold of the series, including Davey Cathels, Jack Freestone, and Coco Ho. Although it’s impossible to predict who can take home the win, what’s certain is that every competitor will have laid the foundation for the elite career that undoubtedly awaits them.