WOLLONGONG, NEW SOUTH WALES (November 27, 2024): The YETI Australian Junior Surfing Titles continued at Woonona Beach, which delivered fun three-foot waves for the U18 and U16 age divisions, while the U14s were called off for the day.
Milla Brown (Newport, NSW) continued to dominate in the U18 Women’s division, posting the highest heat total of the event so far, a 16.38 (out of a possible 20), including an excellent 9.13 single-wave score (out of a possible 10).
“I was watching Ruby Berry from behind, and she did two snaps,” Brown said. “I didn’t want to go into second and then this really good double up came. So I just did two big turns and got a 9.13. So I’m stoked. It’s a little bit bigger today. Good to surf some waves with power and it was super fun surfing with all the girls. I had two of my best mates in my heat so it’s always hard because no matter what, one of us will always get knocked. But two of us ended up getting through.”
Remy North (Yallingup WA), who has progressed to Round 4 in the U18 Men, said: “I was happy with how I was surfing and I ended up getting a couple of good ones. The hype that all the boys and girls give us and all the staff from WA is just crazy. How much it can boost your confidence. If you’re walking down to the beach and you hear a big cheer from all your mates. Just brings out the best in everyone, I think.”
Alice Hodgson (Kiama Downs, NSW), a local surfer who has advanced to Round 4 in the U16 Women, said: “I was gonna go out and sit and catch the rights, and then I saw a good left, so I went left and got a score, and managed to get through. I’m a bit better on backhand so, I was more comfortable going left, but I’m happy to go right next heat. It was pretty fun. Maybe three and a half foot, clean, fun-size waves.”
The U19 Girls school surfing division (MR Shield) also kicked off, with Palm Beach Currumbin SHS (QLD) and Dromana College (VIC) advancing straight to the Final. Meanwhile, in U19 Boys, Illawarra Grammar School (NSW) escaped the elimination round.
Contest Director Jeremy Barnett said: “The surf was really good again today and a touch bigger. Winds were very favourable. Max McGillivray (Evans Head, NSW) and MillaBrown were the standouts, as well as local surfer and NSW Captain Sammy Lowe(Thirroul, NSW), who put together a great heat score to get through. A storm was brewing, and there was some lightning over the escarpment late this afternoon, so we called the competition off slightly early.”
Similar conditions are expected tomorrow, with a minor drop in swell forecast.
For the heat draw and full results, please visit LiveHeats.
About the YETI Australian Junior Surfing Titles:
The YETI Australian Junior Surfing Titles encompass individual divisions for U14-U18 junior men and women as well as a school surfing division for U16-U19 (MR Shield) junior men and women.
Champions in U16 and U18 men and women will earn a spot on the Irukandjis Team to represent Australia at the 2025 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.
Every winner will also join a prestigious honour roll alongside current and former world Tour competitors, including Stephanie Gilmore, Molly Picklum, Sally Fitzgibbons, Laura Enever, Tyler Wright, Nikki Van Dijk, Coco Cairns, Owen Wright, Joel Parkinson, Mick Fanning and Reef Heazlewood.
This year, the finals action will be broadcast live on Surfing Australia’s YouTube channel. Watch live on:
Event website https://australianjuniorsurfingtitles.com.
The YETI Australian Junior Surfing Titles are proudly supported by YETI, Destination NSW, Destination Wollongong, Surfing NSW, BLACKROLL, Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort, KJ Scaffolding and Surfers for Climate.
