The 2025 Think Mental Health WA School Surfing Titles wrapped up in sunny offshore conditions last Friday, with Margaret River Senior High School cementing its reputation as the state’s premier surfing school by claiming an incredible 20th consecutive Champion School crown.
After ten qualifying events across Western Australia, students from 21 regional and metropolitan high schools converged at Trigg Beach for the state final of Surfing WA’s largest participation-based event of the year. Across the season, more than 400 teams from 40 schools competed, with the finale showcasing the depth of junior surfing and bodyboarding talent and highlighting the value of surfing in modern school sport.
The Titles provide a key steppingstone for young athletes, with winning surfing teams securing their place at the Australian Junior Surfing Titles in Wollongong later this year.
Margaret River SHS Dominates Again
The South West powerhouse proved unstoppable, taking out five of the eight divisions on offer and finishing well clear in the overall standings. Their dominance stretched from surfing to bodyboarding, with both seasoned competitors and rising stars stepping up when it mattered.
In the Senior Girls Surfing final, Mia Jacobs and Asha Clarke edged out teammates Stella Annesley and Under-16 State Champion Poppy Redman-Carr in a nail-biting heat decided by just 1.5 points.
“Mia’s a really good surfer so it was good to be with her,” said Clarke. “Our school is very supportive, and I’m excited to represent WA at the National Titles.”
The Junior Boys Surfing division also went Margaret River’s way, with Ethan Anderson and Jahli Clarke defeating St Mary Mackillop’s Cruz Uros and Jake Richards in a one-point thriller.
“The heat was really close, we were lucky to find a couple of good ones each,” said Anderson. “Thanks to our parents, teachers, Surfing WA and Think Mental Health for a great event.”
The Junior Girls Surfing final was another all-Margaret River showdown, with Grace Cook and Leila Fraser overcoming Under-14 State Champion Ily Fraser and Betsy Englert.
“It’s so special to win with Leila, she’s such a strong surfer,” said Cook. “This is Margaret River’s 20th win in a row, so it feels amazing to be part of that.”
In the bodyboarding divisions, Margaret River continued its charge with Flynn Anderson and Jetaya Hammond taking out the Senior Boys, and Stella Annesley and Sienna Bowdell successfully defending their Junior Girls title. Methodist Ladies College’s Bronte Scott and Sabah Phillips also backed up last year’s win to secure the Senior Girls Bodyboarding crown, while Scotch College powered to victory in the Junior Boys Bodyboarding final.
Rising Standards Across the State
Comet Bay broke Margaret River’s streak in the Senior Boys Surfing final, with Mandurah duo Jack Bulloch and Zach Hlaing defeating John XXIII College’s Ben and Jake Scott.
“We have a really tight community in Mandurah,” said Bulloch. “Thanks to Zach, our teachers, parents and Surfing WA for making this possible. I’m excited to head to Nationals.”
Surfing WA Regional Manager Kim Clift praised both the performances and professionalism on display.
“We had kids from Exmouth through to Albany, and the standard of surfing was outstanding,” said Clift. “The level of preparation from the students has gone through the roof. Congratulations to Margaret River Senior High School on once again proving they’re the best surfing school in WA, and good luck to all those heading to Nationals.”
Margaret River SHS Surf Academy coach Mark Meyer said that the commitment and teamwork of the students is just as impressive as their results.
“It’s fantastic to see surfing embedded in the school curriculum. These kids put in huge hours training, and it’s rewarding to see that effort pay off,” said Meyer. “What’s just as impressive is how supportive they are of each other as a state team.”
Promoting Health and Wellbeing
The event was proudly supported by Healthway, with Surfing WA promoting the Think Mental Health message to a key youth audience across the state. The program not only nurtures WA’s next generation of surfers but also reinforces the importance of physical and mental wellbeing.
Surfing WA will now prepare the WA Junior Surfing Team to compete at the Australian Junior Surfing Titles in Wollongongin late November.
2025 THINK MENTAL HEALTH WA SCHOOL SURFING TITLES – STATE FINAL RESULTS
Senior Boys Surfing
Champion School: Comet Bay (Jack Bulloch & Zach Hlaing) – 21.0
Runner Up School: John XXIII College (Ben Scott & Jake Scott) – 18.5
Senior Girls Surfing
Champion School: Margaret River SHS 1 (Mia Jacobs & Asha Clarke) – 19.5
Runner Up School: Margaret River SHS 2 (Poppy Redman-Carr & Stella Annesley) – 18.0
Junior Boys Surfing
Champion School: Margaret River SHS (Jahli Clarke & Ethan Anderson) – 23.5
Runner Up School: St Mary Mackillop College (Cruz Uros & Jake Richards) – 22.5
Junior Girls Surfing
Champion School: Margaret River SHS 1 (Leila Fraser & Grace Cook) – 22.5
Runner Up School: Margaret River SHS 2 (Ily Fraser & Betsy Englert) – 17.5
Senior Boys Bodyboarding
Champion School: Margaret River SHS (Flynn Anderson & Jetaya Hammond) – 19.0
Runner Up School: Christ Church Grammar School (Jake Jordan and Lawson Kirby) – 17.5
Senior Girls Bodyboarding
Champion School: Methodist Ladies College (Bronte Scott & Sabah Phillips) – 19.0
Runner Up School: Margaret River SHS (Mia Jacobs & Leila Fraser) – 18.0
Junior Boys Bodyboarding
Champion School: Scotch College (Harley Kitts & Jackson Douglas) – 18.0
Runner Up School: CBC Fremantle (Finlay Sullivan & Dane Farrell) – 17.5
Junior Girls Bodyboarding
Champion School: Margaret River SHS (Stella Annesley & Sienna Bowdell) – 27.5
Runner Up School: St Mary’s Anglican School for Girls (Beth Cairns & Mila Johnson) – 12.5
Overall Champion School
1st Place: Margaret River Senior High School
2nd Place: John XXIII College
2nd Place: Scotch College
2nd Place: Methodist Ladies College
2nd Place: Comet Bay College
6th Place: St Mary Mackillop College
6th Place: St Mary’s Anglican School For Girls
6th Place: Christ Church Grammar School
6th Place: CBC Fremantle
10th Place: Albany Senior High School
10th Place: Frederick Irwin
State Final Qualifying Schools
Albany Senior High School
Australian Christian College
Bunbury Baptist College
Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School
Bunbury Catholic College
Bunbury Senior High School
Cape Naturaliste College
Carine Senior High School
CBC Fremantle
Christ Church Grammar School
Comet Bay College
Denmark Senior High School
Duncraig Senior High School|
Esperance Senior High School
Exmouth Senior High School
Frederick Irwin
Geraldton Grammar School
Geraldton Senior College
Hale School
Iona Presentation College
John XXIII College
John Tonkin College
Margaret River Senior High School
Mandurah Baptist College
Mandurah Catholic College
Methodist Ladies College
Mindarie Senior College
Newman College
Perth Waldorf School
Prendiville Catholic College
Quinns Baptist College
Sacred Heart College
Scotch College
SEDA College
Shenton College
St Mary Mackillop College
St Mary’s Anglican Girls School
St Marks
St Stephens Duncraig
Yanchep Secondary College
About Think Mental Health
The ‘Think Mental Health’ education campaign is part of a comprehensive approach in Western Australia, that aims to build mental health and wellbeing, and reduce mental health issues, with a view to reducing Western Australia’s suicide rate. Surfing WA will collaborate with professional mental health organisations, local authorities and community leaders to develop and implement comprehensive strategies for mental health promotion, awareness, and support within the surfing community. Visit www.thinkmentalhealthwa.com.au for more information about the campaign.
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