After a marathon 33 heats yesterday, Taj’s Small Fries presented by Board.Store continued in Yallingup, as summer swells and clean conditions prevailed once again in Taj’s front yard, with Shallows throwing up some fun and highly contestable 1-2 feet peaks.
The action intensified as a record number of surfers from across WA did everything in their power to reach the third and final day of competition at WA’s biggest, best and most prestigious junior surfing tournament that first ran back in 2006.
Boasting an impressive honour roll of previous winners, including the likes of current and former CT surfers Soli Bailey (NSW), Matt Banting (NSW), Jack Freestone (QLD), Jack Robinson (WA), and Felicity Palmateer (WA) to name a few, Taj’s Small Fries is guaranteed stepping stone to bigger and better things.
Although the waves were a touch smaller and slower than yesterday, Shallows still provided ample opportunity for the older divisions to strut their stuff and the younger divisions to grow in confidence as the ripped and sliced the line up to pieces.
The 16 & Under Boys kicked off the day with defending champion Macklin Flynn (Cowaramup), Maverick Wilson (Dunsborough) and Otis North (Yallingup) highlighted the mornings action with some electronic on rail surfing that saw them set the standard for others to follow.
The 16 & Under Girls also impressed in the summer swells, with Zali Hewson (Margaret River) and Isi Campbell (Denmark) the first finalists confirmed at Taj’s Small Fries for 2021.
“I’m so stoked to make it to back-to-back finals,” said Hewson. “This is my last year competing at Taj’s Small Fries so to make the final is epic.”
“I was really nervous out there, the waves pretty much died for a moment there,” said Campbell. “I’m stoked to make the final, it was a really tight and tough heat.”
Given the size of the swell on offer, it was the younger divisions who stole the show on day two, with perfectly groomed grommet waves rolling through all day long at Shallows.
Sienna Jones (Doubleview) posted the highest two-wave total of the event so far, amassing an impressive 19.35 total (from a possible 20), which included a perfect 10 and a backup 9.35.
“I’m nine years old and I love to skate and surf,” said Jones. “I have been practicing really, really hard at Trigg and trying to paddle in by myself and yeah Small Fries is such an awesome comp, I love being here in Yallingup.”
WA’s most successful professional male surfer and event host, Taj Burrow was on the beach for much of the day and was impressed by the efforts of the youngest surfers in his event.
“Yesterday was so epic and to score two all day offshore’s in a row is pretty rare in the middle of summer here in WA,” said Burrow. “Everyone has been smiling and shredding so that’s all I ever ask for at Small Fries.”
This afternoon Taj will take on the groms at the Board.Store Outdoor Pong Off in Dunsborough. Grom versus grom, with Taj taking on the winner for the chance of a brand new Catch Surf board.
Event officials will be closely monitoring the forecast with finals day set to commence once again at 7:15am somewhere in and around Yallingup.
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 acknowledges and pays respect to Wadandi Elder Sandra Hill and Undalup Association for their assistance and consolation on the Taj’s Small Fries event artwork.
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)
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 16th consecutive year in 2021 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.
