YALLINGUP, WA, AUSTRALIA (Saturday, January 17, 2026) The 2026 edition of Taj’s Small Fries presented by Board Store got underway in consistent but challenging waves today, with a 27-heat marathon launching proceedings in style. Following on from yesterday’s opening ceremony at Caves House more than 100 of the nation’s best junior surfers went to work this morning in two-to-three-foot lefts and rights at Shallows, with a 2.5m swell transforming the iconic stretch of Yallingup coastline into the ultimate grommet playground.
Despite an early onshore breeze, the consistent conditions provided no shortage of opportunities for high-performance surfing, and a big crowd of competitors, families and spectators packed the beach to support their peers and enjoy the opening day action at Western Australia’s most prestigious junior surfing event.
The first division in action were the Under-14 Boys, with performances reflecting the level of talent assembled. Ollie Holmes (Dunsborough, WA) dropped a 13.95 two-wave total to fly the flag for Western Australia on his way to a win in Heat 4, before Hayden Mee (Newcastle, NSW) tore the event’s first excellent wave to pieces in Heat 5, the natural footer locking in an 8.0 and a 14.00 total to top score the round and return to the beach buzzing.
Other notable performances in the Under-14 Boys included Tully Crompton (Tugun, QLD), Maverick Macgugan (Avalon, NSW), Raff Morris (Sorrento, VIC) and Morrison Massey (Palm Beach, QLD), who found their groove and looked comfortable in the early morning conditions.
The high standard continued in the Under-16 Girls, with competitors relishing Western Australia’s extra power, and pushing their limits in every heat. Miller-May Berg (Miami, QLD) dropped an 8.0 on the first wave of the first heat to signal her determination to better her 2025 3rd place finish, laying down an early marker for the rest of the field. Miller-May then added a 7.65 for a series of smoothly linked, varied manoeuvres, to top score the division with a 15.65 two-wave total.
Fellow Queenslander Maddison Kenchington (Coolangatta, QLD) couldn’t have been happier with the waves on offer, and it showed in her performance two heats later. “I never get to go left at home, so I love it here,” said the Gold Coaster, after winning Heat 3 with a 13.51 two-wave total. “I love this event! It’s so much fun!”
Goofy footer Rose Holland (Mornington Peninsula, VIC) found the running lefts to her liking in Heat 5, banking a 7.88 and a 7.25 for a series of beautifully linked turns to close out the round with an impressive 15.13 total.
Defending champion Meika Locke (Palm Beach, QLD) came out all guns blazing in the Under-18 Girls, dropping a 7.13 on her first wave, then banking an excellent 8.45 moments later to compile an imposing 15.58 winning total. Savanah Rielly (Dicky Beach, QLD) surfed beautifully to claim Heat 2, before Poppy Redman-Carr (Dunsborough, WA), Olive Hardy (Margaret River, WA), Rosie Gillett (Dunsborough, WA) and Grace Cook (Cowaramup, WA) flexed a bit of muscle to see a solid local contingent move on to Round 2.
Closing out the day, the Under-16 Boys took to the lineup, bringing added intensity and experience to an already stacked opening day schedule. Closely contested heats and high scores underlined the depth of talent in the event’s largest division, with surfers looking to make a statement in each of the 11 heats.
Lucas Deffenti (Miami, QLD) was the standout performer of not just the division but the day, posting a two-wave combined total of 17.90 out of a possible 20, and throwing away a pair of 7s in the process. To make the most of his aerial prowess, Lucas was the first surfer to paddle away from the Shallows left and over to the right, that breaks into the wind on the northern end of the contest area. Lucas then punted an enormous air on his opening wave to immediately vindicate his decision and kick off his campaign with a 9.20, far and away the highest scoring wave of the day.
Minutes later, a double-grabbed, front-foot-kicked aerial prompted all kinds of debate amongst the judges as to whether the manoeuvre was a Madonna or not. “I don’t know either,” admitted Lucas when questioned later, “I was trying to do a Superman and then ended up doing that.” His claim suggested he was happy with the outcome, an 8.7 proved the judges were too. Lucas’ finished on a 17.9 two-wave total, easily the highest of the day, and put his name firmly amongst the event’s favourites, after just 20 minutes of surfing.
Kai Coleman (Peregian, QLD), Bobby Patch (Burleigh Heads, QLD) and Cruz McDonald (Geraldton, WA) fought out a thoroughly entertaining three-way battle in Heat 2, with West Australian McDonald bowing out in a closely contested affair. Other standouts for the round included Kade Kelly (Newcastle, NSW), who took Lucas’ cue, paddled over to the right and took to the skies, Jaggar Phillips (Narrabeen, NSW) and Liam Gason (Collaroy, NSW) who swapped the lead multiple times en route to both advancing, and Luca Martin (Coolangatta, QLD) and Zenn Hammond (Gracetown, WA) who could only be separated by 0.02 in the last heat of the day.
Over the past two decades, Taj’s Small Fries has been a stepping stone in the surfing lives of West Australian stars such as Felicity Palmateer, Jack Robinson, Bronte Macaulay and Jacob Willcox. Event host Taj Burrow said it was exciting to see the next generation stepping up on the big stage on the opening day, and he can’t wait to see how the rest of the week unfolds, with the forecast shaping up beautifully for the rest of the event.
Competition recommences at 7.30am tomorrow morning, with similar conditions expected to deliver an even better day of action.
Keep up to date with all the action from Taj’s Small Fries by following Surfing WA’s social media channels or visiting the event mini site at www.surfingwa.com.au/events/smallfries/
About Taj’s Small Fries
Since 2006, Taj’s Small Fries has been Western Australia’s premier junior surfing event, providing a springboard for aspiring surfing stars. Hosted by Taj Burrow, the event has been pivotal in nurturing surfing talent, with past champions including Felicity Palmateer, Jack Robinson, Bronte Macaulay, and Jacob Willcox. This 21st edition celebrates more than two decades of surf culture, community, and grommet stoke along WA’s iconic Yallingup coastline.
Events
