Skating’s next gen got a taste of the big time, with the Junior Am Jam shredders starring centre stage in the packed Beach Bowl. 

Eight-year old Keegan Palmer and 11 year-old Poppy Olsen, won the crowd – the event’s youngest competitor and the only female entrant both tearing fearlessly around the bowl like seasoned pros.

But the afternoon belonged to birthday boy Lachlan Abbot. Spurred on by MC Sergi Ventura, 1,000 fans sang “Happy Birthday” to Lach before the final, and Lach’s super tight runs in the decider ensured it would be a day he won’t forget.

Long grinds, powerful airs and style around the whole Bowl saw Lach finish 1st ahead of Jakob Robinson, Ryan Helm, Noah Fuzi and Joe Atkins of the U.K. A surprise ollie from the extension into the bowl with the seconds ticking down sealed the deal for him and the 14 year-old is now etched into the history books as the first winner at Manly in the Australian Open Beach Bowl.

Lachlan Abbot working his way to the Beach Bowl Am Jam title // Photo: ShortyPhotos.com 

“I’ve only really tried them before (of the Ollie) in a four foot bowl, but I made it so that was good,” said Lach. 

The top three Junior Am Jam finalists received commemorative Ben Brown Beach Bowl art trophies and the latest tech gear from Sony, including the 16.2MP Sony Cybershot digital camera and Skull Candy Aviator headphones.

Sasha Steinhorst, World Cup Skateboarding Competition Director, praised the baby Beach Bowl boomers.

“It’s insane to see these guys; the young generation is coming up in a big way. Lachlan Abbot may be a kid, but he skated like the big boys today. Jakob too, he had good tricks, good variation … hand plants, airs. The level of bowl skating is getting better and the riders are getting younger.”

Juniors Beach Bowl Final Results

Rank	Name	Age	Hometown	Sponsors
1	Lachlan Abbott	13	Oatlands, NSW AUS	Theeve, Rainskates, Stereo, TSG
2	Jakob Robinson	14	Ballina, NSW AUS	Supersports, TSG, Afends flow
3	Ryan Helm	12	Sydney, NSW AUS
4	Noah Fuzi	14	Bondi, NSW AUS	Boardworld.com.au, Sfm
5	Joe Atkins	17	Coventry, ENG	Ride Skateshop
6	Keegan Palmer	8	Currumbin, QLD AUS	Hurley
7	Luke Russell	11	Wollongong, NSQ AU	Skater socks, Theeve, Iskate, TSG
8	Jackson Bogaerts	14	Newcastle, NSW AUS	Newcastle Skate Shop
9	George Richards	15	Newcastle, NSW AUS	BM Skateboards
10	Vi Kakinho	14	Florianopolis, BR	Volcom, Vans, Evoke, Independent, Drop Dead
11	Poppy Olsen	11	Bondi, NSW AUS	Perfect Moment, iskate Australia, TSG
12	Johnny Gasparotto	15	Port Alegre, BRA	Devotion, Swell Skate Camp, BanXs
13	Noah Regan	14	Newcastle, NSW AUS
14	Damon Williamson	16	Sydney, NSW AUS	Skater HQ
15	Hugo Ilencik	10	Bondi, NSW AUS

 

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