Western Australia’s new generation of young surfing stars have shone brightly in small and tricky conditions at stop two of the Woolworths State Junior Surfing Titles presented by Think Mental Health, held in 1-2 feet surf at Trigg Beach.
For the first time ever the State Junior Surfing Titles ran over a three day window (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), with a record number of grommets from all corners of WA vying for their chance at qualification for the Australian Junior Surfing Titles, which will run on Phillip Island in Victoria later this year.
Despite the small and at times challenging conditions on offer along the Perth metropolitan coast, the 100 plus young surfers between 8 and 17 years of age impressed, with many outstanding performance bookmarking a memorable event that saw Maverick Wilson (Dunsborough) capture the first State Championship Title of 2023.
The blue-ribbon Under-18 Boys concluded on Friday with the oldest surfers of the event benefitting from the largest swell on offer across the three days of competition. Otis North (Yallingup) dug deep to take the victory, with a two-wave combined total of 13.97 (from a possible 20). North claimed a much needed win ahead of Macklin Flynn (Cowaramup), Leo Fallourd (Mosman Park) and Jesse Siedmiogrodzki (City Beach). After missing the opening event of the series, North kept his hopes for state team qualification alive with a powerful performance in the waves off Trigg.
“I just tried to stay busy out there and not have much down time between my waves,” said North. “I’m already looking forward to Geraldton and well done to all the boys in the final.”
Isi Campbell (Denmark) stamped her authority on the Under-18 Junior Girls final with her innovative and progressive approach the key to her victory. Campbell has had a busy start to 2023 competing in a number of World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series and Pro Junior events on the East Coast of Australia.
Her recent competition experience was clearly on display as she posted a two-wave total of 13.90 (from a possible 20), which included a 7.17 and 6.73, leaving Willow Hardy (Margaret River), Ruby Berry (Augusta), and Kaleisha Launders (Margaret River), all chasing good or excellent scores to change the result.
“It was definitely a bit of a grovel out there so I rode my epoxy, but I got a few fun ones,” said Campbell. “All the girls were ripping as per usual and it was fun to have a few heats and a final with them.”
Maverick Wilson (Dunsborough) claimed his sixth consecutive State Title in as many years (2x Under-12, 2x Under-14 and 2x Under-16), and looks ready to take his surfing to the next level with an impressive win in the Under-16 Cadet Boys final.
Wilson’s smooth and consistent approach a delight to watch as he ripped the tricky afternoon conditions to pieces. Wilson claimed back-to-back event wins, taking down Reef Lange (Margaret River), Finn Lange (Margaret River) and local standout Jake Scott (Swanbourne) in the final.
“I felt like I didn’t get the best waves out there, but the ones I did get I strung together ok,” said Wilson. “I’m pretty happy to get my sixth State Title and to book my place into this year’s National Titles.”
Rosie Gillett (Dunsborough) was victorious in the Under-16 Cadet Girls division, taking the win on the strength of her superior wave and manoeuvre selection. Gillett took the round two win ahead of Mia Jacobs (Gracetown), Indie Siedmiogrodzki (City Beach) and Eden Rodden (Geraldton), who were all nipping at her heels when the siren sounded.
“The conditions were quite small and hard, but I got to hang out with my friends and have a good time,” said Gillett. “I went to the National last year in the Under-14’s and I’m hoping to make it this year as an Under-16.”
The Under-14 Grom Boys was arguably the most exciting division of the event, with a high standard on display across every heat that hit the water. Ace Flynn (Cowaramup) dropped a last minute 6.80 (from a possible 10) to finish on a two wave total of 12.97 (from a possible 20). Jahli Clarke (Cowaramup) was on fire all event and was pipped at the post finishing in second, ahead of Brody Mulik (Margaret River) and Charlie Harris (Swanbourne), in third and fourth respectively.
“I’m so stoked to get the win,” said Flynn. “It was a tight final and everyone had a good wave, I was lucky to get that set in the end and tag it all the way to the beach.”
Leila Fraser (Margaret River) was another surfer who excelled throughout the event and was a worthy winner of the Under-14 Grom Girls division. Fraser used her vertical approach to great affect posting an excellent 8.00 (from a possible 10) and backed it up with a 4.60 (from a possible 10), holding off Grace Cook (Cowaramup), Coco Laurie (Trigg), and younger sister Ily Fraser (Margaret River) for the win.
“It’s been a fun event and I’m happy to surf the final with my younger sister Ily,” said Fraser. “My brother Okie is such an inspiration for us and well done to all the girls in the final.”
In other results from the weekend, Summer Barkhuizen (Eglinton) and Jasper Glossop (Broadwater) were the best of the Under-12 Micro Groms, both impressing in the youngest age groups of the event.
Surfing Western Australia was thrilled with the outcome of the first ever three-day Woolworths State Junior Surfing Titles event. Despite the small conditions, the event displayed the depth of young talent coming through the ranks from all of WA surfing regions including the Mid-West, Perth Metro, Peel, South-West and Great Southern.
“Congratulations to all our event champions, finalists and participants,” said Surfing Western Australia Events Manager Justin Majeks. “There was outstanding support for all our young chargers on the beach and I’d like to thank everyone for their efforts and great sportsmanship across the past three days.”
Jahli Clarke (Cowaramup) was awarded the Creatures of Leisure Little Legend Award for his exquisite performances throughout the event, while Ily Fraser (Margaret River) received the Woolworths Fresh Move Award for reaching the Under-14 Grom Girls final at just 10 years of age.
The final event of the Woolworths State Junior Surfing Titles will head north to Geraldton July, where the journey towards crowning WA’s remaining seven junior surfing champions will continue.
For more information on this or any other WA event be sure to log onto www.surfingwa.com.au and check out all the Surfing WA social media platforms for event updates and information.
Surfing WA acknowledges the State Government’s support through the Road Safety Commission and 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.
Woolworths State Junior Surfing Titles presented by Think Mental Health – Final Results:
Under-12 Micro-Grom Girls:
1. Summer Barkhuizen (Eglinton) – 8.27
2. Lylah Loose (Secret Harbour) – 5.54
3. Lily Naylor (Cowaramup) – 6.94
4. Paige Hayward (Margaret River) – 4.17
Under-12 Micro-Grom Boys:
1. Jasper Glossop (Broadwater) – 11.70
2. Darcy Gee (Dunsborough) – 11.30
3. Jack Bowdell (Cowaramup) – 9.93
4. Nate Spooner (Yallingup) – 9.74
Under-14 Grom Girls:
1. Leila Fraser (Margaret River) – 12.60
2. Grace Cook (Cowaramup) – 9.37
3. Coco Laurie (Trigg) – 7.03
4. Ily Fraser (Margaret River) – 5.70
Under-14 Grom Boys:
1. Ace Flynn (Cowaramup) – 12.97
2. Jahli Clarke (Cowaramup) – 10.27
3. Brody Mulik (Margaret River) – 11.23
4. Charlie Harris (Swanbourne) – 8.03
Under-16 Cadet Girls:
1. Rosie Gillet (Dunsborough) – 9.67
2. Mia Jacobs (Gracetown) – 8.20
3. Indie Siedmiogrodzki (City Beach) – 7.30
4. Edel Rodden (Geraldton) – 6.93
Under-16 Cadet Boys:
1. Maverick Wilson (Dunsborough) – 9.94
2. Reef Lange (Margaret River) – 8.80
3. Finn Lange (Margaret River) – 7.23
4. Jake Scott (Swanbourne) – 6.97
State Champion: Maverick Wilson
Under-18 Junior Girls:
1. Isi Campbell (Denmark) – 13.90
2. Willow Hardy (Margaret River) – 12.96
3. Ruby Berry (Augusta) – 10.43
4. Kaleisha Launders (Margaret River) – 5.23
Under-18 Junior Boys:
1. Otis North (Yallingup) – 13.97
2. Macklin Flynn (Cowaramup) – 12.74
3. Leo Fallourd (Mosman Park) – 6.17
4. Jesse Siedmiogrodzki (City Beach) – 4.57
Round 1 – Yallingup
February 4th – 5th 2023
Round 2 – Trigg Beach
26th – 28th May 2023
Round 3 – Geraldton
14th – 16th July 2023
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
