It was marathon day in Yallingup as Taj’s Small Fries presented by Board.Store continued quite literally in Taj Burrow’s front yard, with a total of 33 heats run and won at Shallows as classic summer conditions prevailed for day two of WA’s most prestigious junior surfing event.
Light winds and a pulsing swell provided non-stop action at the 17th instalment of Small Fries, as surfers from right across Western Australia did everything in their power to stamp their place into tomorrow’s third and final day of competition.
The 16 & Under Boys kicked off the day in style, with Otis North (Yallingup), Macklin Flynn (Cowaramup), Maverick Wilson (Dunsborough), Travis Barkhuizen (Eglinton) Okie Fraser (Margaret River) and Lawson Thomas (Willagee) all highlighting the early morning action, with some high speed and electric on rail surfing on display.
The 16 & Under Girls also impressed in the great waves on offer, as Willow Hardy (Margaret River), Ruby Berry (Augusta) and Isi Campbell (Denmark) all looked in devastating form, dropping excellent scores on their way to tomrrow’s semi-finals.
“The waves are pumping this morning,” said Hardy. “This is my last year competing at Taj’s Small Fries so to make it to finals day is just epic, tomorrow’s forecast is shaping up to be a memorable finish.”
As the swell continued build and under light onshore conditions, it was the younger divisions who really stepped it up and impressed the judges, spectators, and event host Taj Burrow with their efforts in the afternoon glare.
Luca Jacobs (Mandurah) and Ace Flynn (Cowaramup) both scored perfect 10-point rides in the 10 & Under Girls and 12 & Under Boys divisions respectively, as WA’s future surfing stocks proved the sport is in very safe hands.
“I just tried not being scared out there,” said Jacobs. “That’s my first perfect 10 and I’m so looking forward to finals day tomorrow.”
WA’s most successful professional male surfer and event host, Taj Burrow was on the beach commentating or in the water sharing waves with the competitors for much of the day and was blown away of the standard of surfing from some of the youngest surfers in his event.
“Today was epic, such a great day of surf and froth,” said Burrow. “Everyone has been smiling and shredding and that’s all can I ever ask for at Small Fries.”
A building swell is forecast for tomorrow’s finals, which means event organisers will likely be exploring a new location for the final day of competition. Heats will kick off somewhere in Yallingup from 7:15am with finals commencing in the early afternoon.
WA’s biggest, best and most prestigious junior surfing tournament, Taj’s Small Fries has established itself as one of the must attend events in the country, becoming a rite of passage for many of the Australia’s best and most promising young surfers since it first ran back in 2006.
Boasting an impressive honour roll of previous winners, including the likes of current Championship Tour surfer Jack Robinson,(Margaret River ), Jacob Willcox (Margaret River), Bronte Macaulay (Gracetown) and Felicity Palmateer (WA) to name just a few.
As well as three days of red-hot surfing action, there will be no shortage of fun and interactive opportunities for competitors and families to enjoy throughout the event, including on-beach coaching, Catch Surf demo tents, and of course the Board.Store Pong Off.
Surfing WA acknowledges and pays respect to Yuat Noongar woman Tiana Bolton and Busselton Senior High School for their assistance and consolation on the 2022 Taj’s Small Fries event artwork.
The health and safety of everyone involved in Taj’s Small Fries has and will remain a priority when planning and executing the event. Event organisers have developed an extensive COVID-Safe event delivery plan to ensure the safety of all spectators, participants and workers on site. COVID restrictions may vary in the short to medium term, so we will continue to monitor the situation and adapt our plan if and when required. As always Surfing WA will deliver this event in line with WA Government regulations.
Live heat scores and results will be streamed from Taj’s Small Fries via www.surfingwalive.com.au and for more information be sure to follow all the action via www.surfingwa.com.au
Surfing WA reminds all our traveling competitors and families of the dangers of sending a text message or using a mobile phone while behind the wheel – Remember #NoTxtNoWrecks.
Taj’s Small Fries Honour Roll (16 & Under Boys & Girls Champions Only)
2021:
Jake Hagan (WA)
Zali Hewson (WA)
2020:
Macklin Flynn (WA)
Willow Hardy (WA)
2019:
Jed Gradisen (WA)
Coral Durant (WA)
2018:
Finn Cox (WA)
Emma Cattlin (WA)
2017:
Finn Cox (WA)
Emma Cattlin (WA)
2016:
Josh Cattlin (WA)
April McPherson (WA)
2015:
Kael Walsh (WA)
Mia McCarthy (WA)
2014:
Reef Heazlewood (QLD)
Emi Campbell (WA)
2013:
Kai Hing (QLD)
Billie Melinz (NSW)
2012:
Jack Robinson (WA)
Eliza Greene (WA)
2011:
Jack Robinson (WA)
Zoe Clarke (VIC)
2010:
Jack Robinson (WA)
Mikaela Greene (WA)
2009:
Soli Bailey (NSW)
India Payne (VIC)
2008:
Regan Fredricks (NSW)
Laura Macaulay (WA)
2007:
Dean Bowen (NSW)
Felicity Palmateer (WA)
2006:
Shaun Howe (WA)
Felicity Palmateer (WA)
About Taj’s Small Fries Yallingup:
Taj’s Small Fries, is WA’s biggest and best junior surfing event named after Yallingup resident and international surfing star Taj Burrow. The event is celebrating its 17th consecutive year in 2022 after first running in 2006. Taj’s Small Fries continually attracts some of the best junior surfing talent from across Australia to Yallingup in the South-West of Western Australia.
