Five new State Champions have emerged after an unforgettable weekend of surfing at Bowes River and Back Beach in Geraldton, with the 2026 Club Med WA Junior Surfing Titles, presented by Think Mental Health, wrapping up on Western Australia’s Batavia Coast.
Nearly 100 of the state’s best junior surfers converged on Geraldton for the third and final stop of the prestigious three-event series, where offshore four to one foot surf and sunny skies set the stage for a thrilling finish. With State Titles and coveted places in Team WA for the Australian Junior Surfing Titles on the line, the pressure was on from the first heat.
The performance of the weekend belonged to Ace Flynn (Cowaramup), who delivered a near flawless display to claim the Under-18 Boys event. Flynn posted an outstanding 18.17 heat total (out of 20), combining an excellent 9.17 with another excellent 9.00 to defeat an elite field in the final including Brody Mulik (Margaret River), Cruz Uros (Dunsborough) and Kade Martin (Dunsborough).
The victory also secured Flynn the 2026 Under-18 Boys State Title, following an impressive campaign that included victory at Margaret River and a quarterfinal finish at Trigg.
“Stoked to get Under 18 state champion and take out the third round at Gero,” said Flynn.
In the Under-18 Girls, Poppy Redman-Carr produced an exciting performance to claim victory with a 14.57 heat total, finishing ahead of Rosie Gillett (Dunsborough), Leila Fraser (Margaret River) and Indie Siedmiogrodzki (City Beach).
“This is my first year in the Under-18 Girls and it felt pretty good to get that win,” said Redman-Carr. “There’s quite a few of us that are all pretty equal, so it’s definitely really challenging but it’s good to have that level of competition.”
While Redman-Carr celebrated the Geraldton victory, reigning State Champion Olive Hardy (Margaret River) successfully defended her Under-18 Girls State Title after back-to-back victories at Margaret River and Trigg secured the overall series before the final event.
Local favourite Cruz Macdonald (Geraldton) thrilled the home crowd by claiming victory and cinching the State Title in the Under-16 Boys division, while Paige Hayward (Margaret River) produced her strongest performance of the season to take out the Under-16 Girls event. Consistency across the opening two rounds saw Lily Naylor (Cowaramup) crowned the 2026 Under-16 Girls State Champion.
The Under-14 divisions showcased another wave of emerging talent. Ollie Holmes (Dunsborough) dominated the boys division, winning every heat throughout the event to secure both the Geraldton victory and the Under-14 Boys State Title. In the girls, Ily Fraser (Margaret River) claimed the event win, while a standout series across Margaret River and Trigg saw her crowned the Under-14 Girls State Champion for the third consecutive year.
The future of WA surfing was on full display in the Under-12 Micro Grom divisions. Vander McEwan (Marmion) stole the show in the boys, posting two excellent rides for a combined 17.43 heat total to win the event, while Kyuss Rimmer (Trigg) wrapped up his second consecutive Under-12 Boys State Title after securing enough points before Geraldton.
In the girls division, Kit Vernon (Wembley Downs) surfed with composure and style beyond her years to claim victory, while also securing the Under-12 Girls State Title after a victory at Trigg.
The three-stop series began in Margaret River in March, continued at Trigg in June, and concluded in Geraldton, with Surfing WA now turning its attention to the Australian Junior Surfing Titles, set to be held in the Margaret River region this December.
Surfing WA Regional Manager Kim Clift praised the standard of competition throughout the series.
“Congratulations to all our 2026 State Champions and divisional winners,” said Clift. “The level of surfing throughout the series has been outstanding, and these young athletes have proven they can perform in a wide range of conditions. They should be incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved, and we’re excited to see Team WA take on the country’s best at the Australian Junior Surfing Titles on home turf in Margaret River later this year.”
The WA Junior Surfing Titles have long been a proving ground for future champions, with past winners including Taj Burrow, Jack Robinson, Claire Bevilacqua, Jacob Willcox and Bronte Macaulay all progressing from State Titles to the World Championship Tour.
The Think Mental Health WA School Surfing Titles are also underway across the state, providing another pathway for young surfers to qualify for national competition. South West regional events will be held across Peel, Bunbury and Yallingup from August 12 to 14.
Surfing WA acknowledges the State Government’s support through the Road Safety Commission and reminds all competitors and families travelling to events to 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.
Pictured: Ace Flynn by Pedro Bonfante / Surfing WA.
Club Med State Junior Surfing Titles presented by Think Mental Health – Final Results:
Under-12 Micro-Grom Girls
1. Kit Vernon (Wembley Downs) – 14.50
2. Lara Coombe (Exmouth) – 12.97
3. Sailor Oakley (Exmouth) – 12.33
State Champion – Kit Vernon (Wembley Downs)
Under-12 Micro-Grom Boys
1. Vander McEwan (Marmion) – 17.43
2. Bryn Coombe (Exmouth) – 16.44
3. Sunny James (Fremantle) – 15.63
4. Ryder Jones (Kalbarri) – 12.16
State Champion – Kyuss Rimmer (Trigg)
Under-14 Grom Girls
1. Ily Fraser (Margaret River) – 15.00
2. Summer Barkhuizen (Eglinton) – 13.43
3. Rosie Annesley (Margaret River) – 11.60
4. Poppy Vernon (Wembley Downs) – 9.63
State Champion – Ily Fraser (Margaret River)
Under-14 Grom Boys
1. Ollie Holmes (Dunsborough) – 15.00
2. Nate Spooner (Yallingup) – 14.67
3. Billy Bromfield (Dunsborough) – 14.24
4. Oscar Blackburn (Yallingup) – 13.70
State Champion – Ollie Holmes (Dunsborough)
Under-16 Cadet Girls
1. Paige Hayward (Margaret River) – 13.23
2. Stella Annesley (Margaret River) – 12.63
3. Violet Scott (Gnarabup) – 11.30
4. Ella Quinlivan (North Beach) – 8.00
State Champion – Lily Naylor (Cowaramup)
Under-16 Cadet Boys
1. Cruz Macdonald (Geraldton) – 14.83
2. Ethan Anderson (Cowaramup) – 14.53
3. Jasper Glossop (Margaret River) – 14.27
4. Oscar Bell (Dunsborough) – 12.67
State Champion – Cruz Macdonald (Geraldton)
Under-18 Junior Girls
1. Poppy Redman Carr (Dunsborough) – 14.57
2. Rosie Gillet (Dunsborough) – 13.94
3. Leila Fraser (Margaret River) – 13.37
4. Indie Siedmiogrodzki (City Beach) – 12.30
State Champion – Olive Hardy (Margaret River)
Under-18 Junior Boys
1. Ace Flynn (Cowaramup) – 18.17
2. Brody Mulik (Margaret River) – 14.43
3. Cruz Uros (Dunsborough) – 14.27
4. Kade Martin (Dunsborough) – 10.00
State Champion – Ace Flynn (Cowaramup)
2026 Club Med State Junior Surfing Titles presented by Think Mental Health
Round 1 – Margaret River
March 13–15, 2026
Round 2 – Trigg Beach
June 12–14, 2026
Round 3 – Geraldton
July 24–26, 2026
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-Grom Girls
Under 12 Micro-Grom Boys
Events
