Six new state junior surfing champions have been crowned in Geraldton as the final event of the 2024 Woolworths State Junior Surfing Titles, presented by Think Mental Health, concluded yesterday at Flat Rocks.
Close to 100 competitors from across WA were blessed with three days of pumping surf along the Batavia coastline, making for an unforgettable finale to the three event series, which determined who will represent WA at the Australian Junior Surfing Titles set to be held in Wollongong, NSW in late November.
The event, graced by amazing winter weather, concluded in style, with Western Australia’s newest generation of surfing stars showcasing their talent in clean and consistent 3-4 feet surf.
In the blue-ribbon Under-18 Boys division, Maverick Wilson (Dunsborough), claimed an impressive victory, with a combined total of 13.60 (out of a possible 20). Wilson faced off with Okie Fraser (Margaret River), Finn Lange (Margaret River) and Jetaya Hammond (Gracetown) in a seesawing battle, with all four surfers in great form throughout the 25-minute final.
“I haven’t surfed my best at this event and after a bad start to the series in Yallingup, so I had to dig deep at Trigg and here in Geraldton,” said Wilson. “After winning the Under-16 Boys National Title last year, I can’t wait to get back and try do the same in the Under-18 Boys.”
Okie Fraser finished in a close second, on 13.43 (from a possible 20), followed by Lange in third and Hammond in fourth. Fraser secured the State Title on the strength of a consistent performance across the three events, with a win and two second place finishes across the three events.
“It’s been my goal to win the title this year,” said Fraser. “The boys all surf so well and the waves have been pumping, so I’m stoked to get some good waves.”
The Under-18 Girls final was equally thrilling, with Ruby Berry (Margaret River), dominating the waves at Flat Rocks to claim victory. Berry opened with an excellent 8.00 (out of 10), and backed it up with a 7.73, finishing with a combined total of 15.73 (out of 20). Berry thrived in the long running lefts, throwing down powerful manoeuvres and stomped her way to victory ahead of Edel Rodden (Geraldton), Kaleisha Launders (Margaret River) and Sarah Kenyon (Geraldton).
“I’ve just got back from two weeks competing on the East Coast, and it’s nice to be surfing over reef and in waves with real power and push,” said Berry. “This is my final year in the Juniors and to win the state title means a lot to me, I can’t wait for the National Titles and want to thank my mum and dad for all their support.”
The Under-16 Cadet Boys division was overflowing with talent and saw a tight contest among all four finalists. Kade Martin (Dunsborough), was in sync with the ocean through the 25-minute final and put on a performance worthy of recognition. Martin smashed his way to a combined total of 15.96 (from a possible 20), to take the victory ahead of Cruz Uros (Dunsborough), Jahli Clarke (Cowaramup) and Ben Scott (Swanbourne).
“Flat Rocks is such a fun wave and I loved it out there,” said Martin. “I needed a big result to make the state team and after missing out last year I couldn’t be happier right now.”
Cruz Uros recently returned from competing in Stab High in Japan, secured the Under-16 Cadet Boys state title for 2024 based on a win at Yallingup and the runner up finish in Geraldton.
“The Under-16’s is so stacked, there’s so many good surfers and to win the state title means a lot,” said Uros. “I’m looking forward to the National Titles after finishing 4th in the Under-14’s final last year.”
Olive Hardy (Margaret River), captured victory in the Under-16 Girls final and claimed the state title with a stellar performance at Flat Rocks. Hardy’s powerful backhand turns were the point of difference in the final, earning her a combined total of 15.140 (out of 20), defeating Rosie Gillett (Dunsborough), Poppy Redman Carr (Dunsborough), and Mia Jacobs (Cowaramup).
“I’m stoked to win and it’s always nice to have good waves in a final,” said Hardy. “I’d like to thank my dad and family for all their support and look forward to surfing with these girls at the national titles later this year.”
Geraldton’s Cruz Macdonald channeled his local knowledge to claim the Under-14 Boys state title, with Macdonald leading the resurgence of talented surfers coming out of the Mid-West. Macdonald surfed with speed, power and flow to post a two-wave total of 15.17 (out of a possible 20), including a heat high 8.40, edging out Zenn Hammond (Gracetown), Ethan Anderson (Cowaramup), and Taylor Flynn (Cowaramup).
“I’m so stoked to win the event and the state title her in Gero,” said Macdonald. “This is the first time I’ve qualifying for the national titles and I can’t wait to get over to Wollongong with the team. Thanks to my mum and dad and all the boys in the final.”
Paige Hayward (Margaret River), stepped it up on finals day claiming her first state title win in the hotly contested Under-14 Grommet Girls division. Hayward scored a heat high 6.50 (from a possible 10), to overcome State Champion Ily Fraser (Margaret River), Stella Annesley (Margaret River), and Lily Naylor (Cowaramup).
“These girls are all my friends and we surf together all the time,” said Hayward. “I’ve never won an event like this before and I”m excited to get into the state team for the national titles.”
Ollie Holmes (Dunsborough), emerged victorious in the Under-12 Micro Grom Boys, a division that showcases the future of surfing in Western Australia. Holmes was dynamic and energetic on the water, dropping two excellent waves to finished on a combined total of 16.90 (from a possible 20). Holmes claimed his maiden state title with back-to-back wins at Trigg and Geraldton. Holmes was pushed all the way by Nate Spooner (Yallingup), Billy Bromfield (Dunsborough), and Kyuss Rimmer (Trigg).
“I can’t believe it, the waves have been so fun, and I’ll remember this forever” said Holmes. “I’ve had the best time and surfing with the boys and thanks to my dad for bringing me here.”
Summer Barkhuizen (Eglinton), was the only surfer to claim a clean sweep of wins at the 2024 Woolworths State Junior Titles, winning all three events in the Under-12 Micro Grom Girls division. Barkhuizen secured her victory ahead of Rosie Annesley (Margaret River), Amelie Wroth (Mandurah), Luna Thomas (Margaret River).
“I’d like to thank my mum and dad and all the girls,” said Barkhuizen. “I love surfing and I’m so happy to win all three events.”
Geraldton provided an epic conclusion to the three-event series, which started in Yallingup in February, traveled to Trigg Beach in May, and finished in Geraldton. Surfing WA will now focus on a series of training camps to best prepare the state champions and state team members for the Australian Junior Surfing Titles in Wollongong, NSW later this year.
“I’d like to congratulate our newly crowned junior state champions, as well as our divisional winners and finalists, for an exciting title race in 2024,” said Surfing WA Events Manager Justin Majeks. “The WA Junior Surfing Titles has showcased the depth of talent in WA and their ability to adapt to different locations and conditions, which will be crucial for success at the nationals.”
The Woolworths State Junior Surfing Titles serve as a nursery for WA talent, with many top surfers, such as Taj Burrow (Yallingup), Jack Robinson (Margaret River), Claire Bevilacqua (Yallingup), Jacob Willcox (Margaret River), and Bronte Macaulay (Gracetown), all claiming junior state titles before moving onto the World Championship Tour, paving the way for WA’s new generation of surfing stars to follow.
The Think Mental Health WA School Surfing Titles also offer young WA surfers a chance to qualify for the national titles, traveling across Western Australia to unearth the best surfing talent within the WA school system. The Mid-West regional event will take place on Monday 22nd July in Geraldton.
Surfing WA acknowledges the State Government’s support through the Road Safety Commission and reminds all traveling competitors and families of the dangers of texting or using a mobile phone while driving – Remember #NoTxtNoWrecks.
For more information on this or any other WA event, visit www.surfingwa.com.au and check out all Surfing WA social media platforms for event updates and information.
Woolworths State Junior Surfing Titles presented by Think Mental Health – Final Results:
Under-12 Micro-Grom Girls:
1. Summer Barkhuizen (Eglinton) – 9.44
2. Rosie Annesley (Margaret River) – 7.90
3. Amelie Wroth (Mandurah) – 5.77
4. Luna Thomas (Margaret River) – 5.50
*State Champion – Summer Barkhuizen (Eglinton)
Under-12 Micro-Grom Boys:
1. Ollie Holmes (Dunsborough) – 16.90
2. Nate Spooner (Yallingup) – 14.27
3. Billy Bromfield (Dunsborough) – 10.37
4. Kyuss Rimmer (Trigg) – 8.16
*State Champion – Ollie Holmes (Dunsborough)
Under-14 Grom Girls:
1. Paige Hayward (Margaret River) – 10.43
2. Ily Fraser (Margaret River) – 9.73
3. Stella Annesley (Margaret River) – 8.43
4. Lily Naylor (Cowaramup) – 8.03
* State Champion – Ily Fraser (Margaret River)
Under-14 Grom Boys:
1. Cruz Macdonald (Geraldton) – 15.17
2. Zenn Hammond (Gracetown) – 14.50
3. Ethan Anderson (Cowaramup) – 13.73
4. Taylor Flynn (Cowaramup) – 6.97
*State Champion – Cruz Macdonald (Geraldton)
Under-16 Cadet Girls:
1. Olive Hardy (Margaret River) – 15.40
2. Rosie Gillet (Dunsborough) – 10.77
3. Poppy Reman Carr (Dunsborough) – 9.97
4. Mia Jacobs (Gracetown) – 9.63
*State Champion – Olive Hardy (Margaret River)
Under-16 Cadet Boys:
1. Kade Martin (Dunsborough) – 15.96
2. Cruz Uros (Dunsborough) – 11.27
3. Jahli Clarke (Cowaramup) – 11.06
4. Ben Scott (Dunsborough) – 9.60
*State Champion – Cruz Uros (Dunsborough)
Under-18 Junior Girls:
1. Ruby Berry (Margaret River) – 15.73
2. Edel Rodden (Geraldton) – 14.23
3. Kaleisha Launders (Margaret River) – 12.27
4. Sarah Kenyon (Geraldton) – 6.93
*State Champion – Ruby Berry (Margaret River)
Under-18 Junior Boys:
1. Maverick Wilson (Dunsborough) – 13.60
2. Okie Fraser (Margaret River) – 13.43
3. Finn Lange (Margaret River) – 11.80
4. Jetaya Hammond (Gracetown) – 10.47
*State Champion – Okie Fraser (Margaret River)
2024 Woolworths State Junior Surfing Titles presented by Think Mental Health
Round 1 – Yallingup
February 9th – 11th 2024
Round 2 – Trigg Beach
24th – 26th May 2024
Round 3 – Geraldton
12th – 14th July 2024
Divisions:
Under 18 Junior Girls
Under 18 Junior Boys
Under 16 Cadet Girls
Under 16 Cadet Boys
Under 14 Grommet Girls
Under 14 Grommet Boys
Under 12 Micro-Groms
