MARGARET RIVER, WA/AUS (Monday 17th February 2025) – Close to 100 of Western Australia’s top young surfers put on an electrifying display in great conditions at Surfers Point, at the highly anticipated opening event of the 2025 WA Junior Surfing Titles presented by Think Mental Health.
Returning to Margaret River for the first time since 2022, the groms were fired up to take on one of the world’s most iconic breaks. Soon to host the seventh stop of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), Main Break delivered great conditions, with clean and consistent 2-4 feet waves on offer across the three-day event.
The next generation of WA surfing talent stepped up, drawing inspiration from their idols as eight champions were crowned in an unforgettable display of high-performance surfing. Competitors from across WA brought their A-game, hoping to secure their spot into the Australian Junior Surfing Titles to be held in South Australia this November.
“What a way to return to Margaret River,” said Surfing WA Events Manager Justin Majeks. “For many of these kids, it was their first time competing at Surfers Point. It’s an intimidating wave, but every single grommet showed so much heart paddling out through the keyhole and taking on the waves, I’m sure this event will live on in their minds for years to come.”
South-West surfers dominated the event winning seven of the eight divisions contested. Margaret River’s Olive Hardy took out the Under-18 Girls final, following close in the footsteps of older sister Willow Hardy. Hardy kept her composure under pressure to take the win with a combined total of 13.34 (from a possible 20), that included an excellent 8.17. Mia Jacobs (Gracetown), finished in a close second ahead ofBronte Scott (Swanbourne), and Edel Rodden (Geraldton).
“I love surfing here and the waves have been so good,” said Hardy. “I live just around the corner and to be able to compete at a wave that I surf so often made me feel really comfortable and in tune with the ocean.”
Okie Fraser (Margaret River) was an event standout, dropping massive scores all event on his way to victory in Under-18 Junior Boys final. Fraser’s powerful rail work and superior wave selection earned him a 15.83 total, which included an 8.33 and 7.50. Despite some great surfing of their own, Remy North (Yallingup), Maverick Wilson (Dunsborough), and Jack Bulloch (Secret Harbour), were all left chasing excellent scores to for the win.
“To back up my win at Taj’s Small Fries last month has been awesome,” Fraser said. “I’m really happy with my start to 2025 and hopefully I can keep this momentum going for the rest of the year.”
Cowaramup’s Grace Cook was unstoppable in the Under-16 final, surfing with speed, power and flow to post an impressive two-wave total of 15.83 (from a possible 20). Cook is another surfer who has experienced a great start to 2025, taking down Leila Fraser (Margaret River), Poppy Redman Carr (Dunsborough), and Stella Annesley (Margaret River).
“The waves have been so good and it’s such a great feel to walk up those stairs as the champion” said Cook. “Thanks to my family, my coach and my shaper for all their support.”
Ace Flynn (Cowaramup) dominated the Under-16 Boys final, blending powerful turns with precision at every opportunity. He set the tone early and never looked back, finishing on a 13.33 total to take down fellow rippers Jahli Clarke (Cowaramup), Cruz Uros (Dunsborough), and Brody Mulik (Margaret River).
“It’s been a while since I’ve had a win at the State Titles,” said Flynn. “The waves were firing, and it’s nice to surf a wave with rights and lefts and that has some real power behind them. Thanks to my family for their support and the boys for a great final!”
Ily Fraser (Margaret River) sliced and diced her way to victory in the Under-14 Grom Girls final, blending committed take-offs with powerful turns. She set the tone early and finished on a two-wave total of 14.83, overcoming fellow rippers Paige Hayward (Margaret River), Rosie Annesley (Margaret River), and Lily Naylor (Cowaramup).
“These are all my best friends and we surf together all the time,” said Fraser. “It’s been so fun to surf out at Main Break and I’d like to thank Okie for helping me before all my heats.”
Jasper Glossop (Vasse) took out the Under-14 Grom Boys final, edging past a stacked field of future stars, including Darcy Gee (Dunsborough), Jack Bowdell (Cowaramup), and Ollie Holmes (Dunsborough), with a combined total of 13.10 (from a possible 20).
“That was a close final and I did just enough to take the win,” said Glossop. “Rio Waida is my favourite surfer and I was trying my best to match his turns out there!”
Margaret River’s Luna Thomas stamped her name in the record books, claiming her first-ever state title win in style. The 10 year old looked completely in sync with the Surfers Point swells, locking in two seven point plus rides, to finish on a combined total of 14.60 (from a possible 10), in the Under-12 Girls final. Thomas’ local knowledge proved too strong for Amelie Waddell (Wembley Downs) and Indie McEwan(Marmion).
“I’m super stoked, I love surfing and it’s really good out there today,” said Thomas. “I’ve been practising out here heaps and it’s so nice to have the whole line up with just two other girls out. I’ve been working on snaps and having fun.”
Kyuss Rimmer (Trigg), was the best of the Under-12 Boys, finding the best waves on offer and executing solid turns on his way to a two-wave total of 12.17 (from a possible 20). Oscar Cawley (Margaret River), Brysen Gee (Dunsborough), and Vander McEwan (Marmion), all proved the future of West Australian surfing is in safe hands with strong performances of their own.
“I’ve only surfed out there a few time, but the waves were so fun and I’ve had the best time,” said Rimmer. “I’ve been so excited for this event and can’t wait for the second event back home at Trigg.”
The WA Junior Surfing Titles play a crucial role in Surfing WA’s development pathway, with stops at Margaret River, Trigg, and Geraldton, the events attract the state’s best juniors in the state chasing their place into the Australian Junior Surfing Titles.
High-performance surf coaches Mike McAuliffe, Mia McCarthy and Bronte Macaulay were on hand all event, providing coaching, heat strategies, and post-heat feedback to help develop WA’s next surfing generation.
“The kids are so lucky to have the event here at Main Break as it’s a World Championship Tour location,” said McCarthy. “They get to walk up those stairs and see all the names of the people who have won here over the years, it’s pretty special.”
Paige Hayward (Margaret River) claimed the Creatures of Leisure ‘Little Legend’ Award for her outstanding efforts and commitment throughout the event.
With an unforgettable first stop run and won, the series now shifts focus to Trigg for stop two, where the battle to be State Champion will continue.
All scores and results can be found at www.liveheats.comand be sure to follow Surfing WA’s social media platforms for the latest updates. For more information on this or any other WA surfing event, visit www.surfingwa.com.au
Final Results – WA Junior Surf Titles Round # 1 Margaret River:
Under 18 Junior Boys:
1. Okie Fraser (Margaret River) – 15.183
2. Remy North (Yallingup) – 11.03
3. Maverick Wilson (Dunsborough) – 10.17
4. Jack Bulloch (Secret Harbour) – 4.83
Under 18 Junior Girls:
1. Olive Hardy (Margaret River) – 13.34
2. Mia Jacobs (Gracetown) – 12.33
3. Bronte Scott (Swanbourne) – 10.53
4. Edel Rodden (Geraldton) – 8.83
Under 16 Cadet Boys:
1. Ace Flynn (Cowaramup) – 13.33
2. Jahli Clarke (Cowaramup) – 10.84
3. Cruz Uros (Dunsborough) – 10.16
4. Brody Mulik (Margaret River) – 9.37
Under 16 Cadet Girls:
1. Grace Cook (Cowaramup) – 15.83
2. Leila Fraser (Margaret River) – 13.73
3. Poppy Redman Carr (Dunsborough) – 10.53
4. Stella Annesley (Margaret River) – 8.30
Under 14 Grom Boys:
1. Jasper Glossop (Vasse) – 13.10
2. Darcy Gee (Dunsborough) – 12.17
3. Jack Bowdell (Cowaramup) – 11.57
4. Ollie Holmes (Dunsborough) – 9.34
Under 14 Grom Girls:
1. Ily Fraser (Margaret River) – 14.83
2. Paige Hayward (Margaret River) – 13.50
3. Rosie Annesley (Margret River) – 7.56
4. Lily Naylor (Cowaramup) – 6.56
Under 12 Micro Grom Boys:
1. Kyuss Rimmer (Trigg) – 12.17
2. Oscar Cawley (Margaret River) – 9.93
3. Brysen Gee (Dunsborough) – 8.50
4. Vander McEwan (Marmion) – 2.90
Under 12 Micro Grom Girls:
1. Luna Thomas (Margaret River) – 14.60
2. Amelie Waddell (Wembley Downs) – 8.60
3. Indie McEwan (Marmion) – 5.67
2025 WA Junior Surfing Titles presented by Think Mental Health:
Events:
Event # 1 @ Margaret River: 14th – 16th February
Event # 2 @ Trigg Beach: 6th – 8th June
Event # 3 @ Geraldton: 18th – 20th July
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
