Jack Freestone from World Junior Champion to the ASP World Tour – Welcome to the Big Leagues
- August 1, 2011
- 0 Comments
- By Story/Photos - Association of Surfing Professionals
COOLANGATTA, QLD/Australia (Tuesday, August 2, 2011) – Jack Freestone, 19, is the Gold Coast kid taking on the world’s best in the ASP World Tour’s Prime rated events. After claiming the ASP World Junior Crown in January, he was awarded a seed into all the ASP Prime events. However, Freestone is yet to find form and make his mark in the big leagues.
“I was expecting it to be hard, but not this hard,” Freestone said. “The juniors aren’t easy or anything, but everyone is hungrier in the Primes. You’re up against the guys who are competing for World Titles, plus all the ones who’re close to qualifying and the world’s top juniors. It’s crazy.”
Not one to let his loses get him down, Freestone has a firm family and friends base on the Gold Coast who help recharge the positive/competitive energy between events.
“I’ve been able to go home after most of the events and my family and friends really help me get back into a positive mid set.” Freestone said.
“I am looking to qualify for the World Tour, but not this year. Results will come, I just have to keep working hard and stay positive. This year is all about testing out the Prime events and getting ready for the ASP World Junior Tour. ”
Freestone suffered an injury on his most recent trip to South Africa where he competed in the Mr Price Pro Ballito and the trials of the Billabong Pro J-Bay.
“I was over in South Africa and I sort of buckled my knee in the Ballito event. Then I went to the Billabong Pro J-Bay and I kind of had a melt down in the trials. But it’s always great to see the world’s best surfers, and how they prepare for competition.” Freestone said.
“My knee is feeling a lot better; I bruised the muscle under my patella. It’s minor, but still hurts a little. I did it the morning before the event started, the surf was pretty big, but perfect.”
Freestone is living the life he’s dreamed about since he first started surfing; travelling the world, competing against his heroes, starring in big budget surf films and he’s loving every minute.
“I’m ticking my wish list off one by one,” Freestone said. “It can be hard though, to compete and do videos and photos, but they’re all a part of the job and I’m making the most of it. Being in the movie Blow Up was dream. It’s a Billabong movie made by Victor Pakpour, it was one of the first movies I’ve ever been in. Most of my sections was filmed in Mexico and the waves were so fun.”
Freestone is currently in California where he’ll compete in one of the biggest events on the ASP roster, the Nike US Open Of Surfing from Aug 1 – 7.
Watch Freestone compete LIVE in the
NIKE US OPEN OF SURFING