WRECK Bay’s Kalani Wellington-McConnell will be hoping to improve his performance at this year’s Hurley BL’s Blast Off, after just missing out on the finals in last year’s event.
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Wellington-McConnell, 12, will be just one of 350 groms competing in the world’s biggest pre-junior surf festival at Palm Beach, on Sydney’s northern beaches from September 26-29.
“As preparation, I have been free surfing this year and developing my tube riding and turns,” Wellington-McConnell said.
“I’m now a year older and have more ocean knowledge, compared to when I competed in last year’s event.
“I have my eyes on a top 10 finish.”
The Jervis Bay junior first started surfing at the age of seven on his local break, Pipeline.
Since then, his skill and love for the sport have developed, thanks largely to the influence of his father Daniel, along with other relatives.
“My pop Fred surfed from Bondi to Tathra and my pop Gus surfed pipe with the best of the best surfers from the old days,” he said.
“Uncle Kenny and uncle Morgan have made surf movies with us since we started surfing out here at Pipeline.
“They’ve all had a big impact of getting me to where I am today.
“On top of that, BL has been a big influence because as he is always stoked for me and carries the knowledge of our sport.
“Kurt Nyholm at AKWA in Milton always looks me with boards and gear, while both Culburra and Ulludulla Boardriders Clubs are full of legends.
“Dion and Craig are free surfers and are always nice and encourage me.”
To date, Wellington-McConnell ranks defeating other local juniors Koby Jackson and Kiera Buckpitt in Big Waves at the Golf Course reef in Ulladulla as his career highlight but he hopes to eclipse that in the future.
“Obviously I want to do well at the Hurley BL’s Blast Off in the short term,” he said.
“Long term I want to travel the world and eventually make my own surf company.”