The ASP Australasian Pro Junior circuit has taken South West surfing ace Matt Baldock to Tahiti. The talented athlete has been juggling surfing with studies at Bunbury’s Edith Cowan University and coaching duties at Josh Palmateer’s Surf Academy.
If a flair for riding waves gives students an edge when studying Surf Science and Technology at Edith Cowan University, Matt Baldock is heading straight to the top of the class.
The 19-year-old student and South West Academy of Sport scholarship holder is the top-ranked West Australian on the ASP Australasian Pro Junior circuit and is currently competing for points at an event in Tahiti.
The Prevelly talent was looking forward to surfing overseas when he flew out to the French Polynesian island on Thursday, planning to use time on the plane to type up a uni assignment.
“It should be fun, a good experience and a bit of a holiday,” Baldock said.
Having been on the fiercely competitive pro junior circuit since he was 17, Baldock has had time to become more comfortable about competing at an elite level.
“It’s a step up from just competing in WA to competing nationally,” he said.
“I’m getting used to it, knowing what the judges are like and beating the top guys.”
Following the competition in Tahiti, Baldock will fly home for a week before heading off to participate in a surfing competition at Sydney’s Cronulla Beach.
Baldock is one of 20 young sports men and women benefiting from a South West Academy of Sport individual athlete scholarship.