With the richest junior prize purse in history, the highest quality wave locations and the most organized junior events on tour, the Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge has accomplished its goal of becoming the most prestigious junior surf series in the world.

"We are really turning heads in the surf industry," says Pat McIlvain, VP of Sports Marketing. "Other companies are taking notice of our dedication to progressing junior surfing. This is the perfect example of a well executed Oakley event-we threw an Oakley spin on a tired format and started a revolution."

Last weekend two of the six Global Challenge qualifiers went down in South Africa and Southern California, adding four more surfers to the Bali roster.

"Qualifying for Bali is what I'm most stoked about," said Oakley's Kai
Barger after winning the Trestles event and solidifying his ticket to Bali. "That's the best event on the planet. I'm so stoked. I can't believe I'm going back!"

Halfway around the world, Oakley's Shaun Joubert surfed his way to victory and defended his title at the Oakley Pro Junior South Africa by beating Brendon Gibbens in the highest scoring heat of the event. Both Gibbens and Joubert qualified for the Global Challenge final event. This will be Joubert's second appearance, the 18 year
old having surfed his way to a spectacular third place finish at the 2008 event.

"Obviously the job was pretty much done when I made the final because I
really just wanted to make it to Bali again," said Joubert. "The first place is just a bonus!"

"Pulling the event out of Durban and taking it to remote Port Alfred was a massive task,but it paid off huge," said Oakley Sports Marketing Manager Greg Emslie. "We continued the Oakley Pro Junior tradition of bringing great surfers to great waves." The event also hosted the first ever ASP Africa sanctioned Pro Junior Women's event in the history of South African surfing. "This proved to be a huge success and really pushed the Oakley women's program for us," said Emslie.

As the talent level of America's bright up-and-comers has shot through the roof in recent years, the Oakley Pro Junior series has arrived as the premier forum to showcase their abilities and hone their competitive aptitude. With the media generated from last year's Challenge, the groundwork has been set--there is no question that the Oakley Pro Junior Challenge is THE most talked about pro junior series in the world.

Come October, the Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge will be held in the wave-rich hotbed that is Bali. With a 10-day waiting period to work with, and only four days of actual competition, Bali's multitude of world-class waves will undoubtedly be on offer throughout the event. By the end of it all an Oakley Pro Junior world champion will be named, but more important than that, all of the surfers involved will have gained a wealth of international experience that's bound to prepare them for the World Qualifying Series, and ultimately the World Championship Tour