The 2024 Think Mental Health WA School Surfing Titles concluded with an electrifying atmosphere last Friday, with Margaret River Senior High School claiming their 19th consecutive Champion School Title with a dominant performance in windswept conditions at Trigg Beach.
After ten qualifying events, students from 27 regional and metropolitan high schools across Western Australia gathered for the grand finale of Surfing WA’s largest participation-based event of the year.
This state final showcased the crème de la crème of junior surfing and bodyboarding talent, bringing together the best surfing schools in Western Australia, further integrating these sports into the modern school curriculum.
The Think Mental Health WA School Surfing Titles serve as a critical stepping stone for secondary students, for the surfers, a victory at Trigg Beach saw them secure a spot into the National Titles, in Wollongong, NSW, where they’ll take on best surfing schools from across the nation.
Margaret River Senior High School once again dominated the competition, clinching a staggering 19th consecutive Champion School victory. The South-West powerhouse remains undefeated since 2006, with their depth of talent clearly on display securing victories in four out of the eight divisions contested.
In the Senior Boys Surfing final, Margaret River triumphed thanks to stellar performances by Macklin Flynn and Okie Fraser, who managed the tricky conditions with ease to emerge victorious over Shenton College’s Jesse Siedmiogrodzki and Leo Fallourd.
“It was definitely tough out there, but so good to have a team mate like Macklin in the water with you,” said Okie Fraser. “I’m really excited to get another surf at the Aussie Titles after winning the Under-18 Boys State Title as an individual.”
Ruby Berry and Kaleisha Launders added to Margaret River’s winning streak with a victory in the Senior Girls Surfing final, defeating Cape Naturaliste College’s Rosie Gillett and Poppy Redman Carr. The Margaret River duo, who are both seasoned competitors, drew from their extensive experience to the forefront when it mattered most, finding the best waves which allowed them to post a combined total of 21.00 (from a possible 40).
“It’s so nice to be able to compete with one of your best friends out there, surfing is typically an individual sport so when you get to do it with a team mate it’s pretty special,” said Ruby Berry. “Our school is incredibly supportive of our surfing pursuits, and I’m thrilled to represent our school and our state at the National Titles.”
St Mary Mackillop College won the Junior Boys Surfing division, with the Busselton school also full of strong surfing talent. Under-16 State Champion Cruz Uros teamed up with Flynn Eastaugh and the pair were pushed all the way by John XXIII College’s Jake Scott and Charlie Harris in an entertaining final.
“Our school has plenty of good surfers and I’m stoked to help Flynn qualifying for his first National Titles,” said Cruz Uros. “Surfing in pairs is so good and I feel like it takes the pressure off a bit which is nice.”
In the Junior Girls Surfing final, it was an all Margaret River Senior High School affair, with Olive Hardy and Leila Fraser taking down classmates Grace Cook and Mia Jacobs in an seesawing final that saw Hardy and Fraser emerge victorious.
“The School Surfing Titles are amazing, and I’ve had a lot of fun today,” said Leila Fraser. “Olive is such a great partner and I can’t wait to surf with her at the Aussie Titles.”
In the bodyboarding divisions, Shenton College’s Jessie Siedmiogrodzki and Leo Fallourd proved their ability in the water, no matter what craft they were riding taking the win in the Senior Boys Bodyboarding final, overcoming Sam Harding and Darcy Sergeant from Christ Church Grammar School.
Methodist Ladies College won the Senior Girls Bodyboarding division, with Bronte Scott and Sabah Phillips proving too strong for Prendiville Catholic College’s Zoe Tinniswood & Emerson Cheeseman.
John Tonkin College claimed victory in the Junior Boys Bodyboarding final, with James Woolhead and Cael Joyce powering ahead of Bunbury Catholic College’s Max Woolhead and Saxon Ghandour.
Margaret River SHS also triumphed in the Junior Girls Bodyboarding division, with Stella Annesley and Sienna Bowdell securing the school’s fourth win of the event by defeating St Mary’s Anglican School for Girls’ pairing of Josie Burton and Indigo Clark.
The 2024 Think Mental Health WA School Surfing Titles saw over 50 regional and metropolitan high schools nominate over 400 teams of surfers and bodyboarders, with ten qualifying events held throughout Western Australia leading up to last week’s state final.
“Congratulations to Margaret River Senior High School on once again proving they are the best surfing school in Western Australia,” said Surfing WA Events Manager Justin Majeks. “Well done to all our teams and schools for making it to the state final, and good luck to those who will now represent WA at the Australian Junior Surfing Titles in New South Wales in November.”
Surfing WA was thrilled to partner with Healthway to deliver the Think Mental Health message to a key demographic throughout Western Australia. Initiatives like this play a vital role in educating our community on the importance of both physical and mental wellbeing through activities like surfing.
Surfing WA will now turn its focus to best preparing the WA Junior Surfing Team for the Australian Junior Surfing Titles, set to take place in Wollongong, NSW in late November.
2024 THINK MENTAL HEALTH WA SCHOOL SURFING TITLES – STATE FINAL RESULTS:
Senior Boys Surfing:
Champion School: Margaret River SHS (Macklin Flynn & Okie Fraser) – 25.0
Runner Up School: Shenton College (Jesse Siedmiogrodzki & Leo Fallourd) – 18.5
Senior Girls Surfing:
Champion School: Margaret River SHS (Ruby Berry & Kaleisha Launders) – 21.0
Runner Up School: Cape Naturaliste College (Rosie Gillet & Poppy Redman Carr) – 19.0
Junior Boys Surfing:
Champion School: St Mary Mackillop College (Cruz Uros & Flynn Eastaugh) – 23.0
Runner Up School: John XXIII College (Jake Scott & Charlie Harris) – 20.5
Junior Girls Surfing:
Champion School: Margaret River SHS 1 (Olive Hardy & Leila Fraser) – 18.5
Runner Up School: Margaret River SHS 2 (Grace Cook & Mia Jacobs) – 12.5
Senior Boys Bodyboarding:
Champion School: Shenton College (Jesse Siedmiogrodzki & Leo Fallourd) – 23.0
Runner Up School: Christ Church Grammar School (Sam Harding & Darcy Sergeant) – 17.0
Senior Girls Bodyboarding:
Champion School: Methodist Ladies College (Bronte Scott & Sabah Phillips) – 15.5
Runner Up School: Prendiville Catholic College (Zoe Tinniswood & Emerson Cheesemen) – 13.5
Junior Boys Bodyboarding:
Champion School: John Tonkin College (James Cotter & Cael Joyce) – 17.0
Runner Up School: Bunbury Catholic College (Max Woolhead & Saxon Ghandour) – 10.5
Junior Girls Bodyboarding:
Champion School: Margaret River SHS (Stella Annesley & Sienna Bowdell) – 17.0
Runner Up School: St Mary’s Anglican School for Girls (Josie Burton & Indigo Clark) – 12.50
Overall Champion School:
1st Place: Margaret River Senior High School
2nd Place: Shenton College
3rd Place: Methodist Ladies College
3rd Place: St Mary Mackillop College
3rd Place: John Tonkin College
6th Place: Cape Naturaliste College
6th Place: John XXIII College
6th Place: St Mary’s Anglican School For Girls
6th Place: Bunbury Catholic College
6th Place: Christ Church Grammar School
6th Place: Prendiville Catholic College
State Final Qualifying Schools:
Albany Senior High School
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
John Tonkin College
John XXIII College
Mandurah Baptist College
Mandurah Catholic College
Margaret River Senior High School
Methodist Ladies College
Nagle Catholic College
Prendiville Catholic College
Quinns Baptist College
Sacred Heart College
Scotch College
Shenton College
St Mary Mackillop College
St Mary’s Anglican School For Girls
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.
