Barbados’ top junior surfer, Josh Burke had a remarkable 2011 by finishing 10th overall out of 254 entries on the USA East coast MENS Pro Tour, Western Atlantic Pro Surf Series (WAPSS). Burke competed in nine international events across the US and Caribbean placing in the finals in eight of the events.
The year began rather unexpectedly at the 47th annual Ron/Jon Easter Surf Festival, Burke was entered in the Junior Amateur divisions one mile away from the Mens Pro podium, however when his coach found a slot available in the Mens Pro the decision was made to enter the 14 year old, St.Winifred’s school student to find out what he was really made of. The decision paid off and resulted in Burke grabbing an amazing 3rd place, while competing against the US East Coast top professional surfers. Josh became the youngest surfer in the event’s history to make the final other than 11 time World Champ Kelly Slaterwho won the event at 14 years old!
After this event Burke’s confidence skipped levels and being capable of competing against pro surfers became a reality and therefore the step on to the WAPSS Tour was an obvious one!
In May at the Carib Pilsner Pro in Toco Trinidad, Burke surfed extremely well placing 5th in the Mens Pro and was narrowly edged in to 2nd position in the U-21 Pro. Next event was the REEF Sweetwater Pro in Wrightsville Beach North Carolina, placing 3rd 14-U and 7th in the OPEN and in the process securing a 9.73pt ride,the highest wave score of the event. Heading back South for the MAKKA Pro in Jamaica, surfing is a relatively new sport there and Burke became a hit with the local kids as he rode the Makka waves effortlessly throwing tailslides and his trademark airs to the delight of the crowd, on his way to 3rd place in the MENS Pro and 2nd in the U-21 Pro.
In August at the Rip Curl Gromsearch, New Smyrna Beach, Burke seemed unstoppable, pulling off high risk maneuvers, consistently pushing his limits to a 3rd place in 14-U and winning the “Dragon” award for the Highest Heat score 17.83 out of a possible 20. The next day performed to a 2nd place in 14-U at theAmerican Athletic Union (AAU) Championships in Cocoa Beach. The following weekend heading up the coast to Kitty Hawk North Carolina for the Rip Curl Gromsearch, Burke continued his fine form surfing double divisions all the way to the finals and placed 3rd and 4th in the 14-U & 16-U respectively and was awarded the events “H20″ Best Maneuver award for a high flying Alley loop(aerial 360),a maneuver rarely pulled off in a surf contest!
In September the Billabong, X-Trak, Nixon,Vonzipper & Burkie Board sponsored surfer took his dominance to theNKF Pro in Cocoa Beach, Burke surfed his way to 2nd place in the U-21 Junior Pro then returned home in top form to win the Barbados U-16 & U-21 National Championships at SoupBowl for the second consecutive year along with placing 2nd in the OPEN!
Josh’s first competition for the New Year is the National Scholastic Surfing Association(NSSA) in mid January 2012.
ADRENALINE SUN CONGRATULATES JOSH FOR A BRILLIANT YEAR OF SURFING AND WISHES HIM WELL FOR 2012!
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