The 16th edition of Taj’s Small Fries presented by Board.Store commenced quite literally in Taj Burrow’s front yard this morning, with a record number of young surfers from across Western Australia ripping into perfect grommet sized 2-3 feet waves on offer at Shallows in Yallingup.
WA’s biggest, best and most prestigious junior surfing tournament, Taj’s Small Fries has established itself as one of the must attend events on Surfing WA’s events calendar, becoming a rite of passage for many of the country’s best and most promising young surfers since it 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.
Shallows, located a 10-minute walk north of Yallingup Main Break is the most frequented location in Small Fries history, having seen more heats run and won over there than any other break in Yallingup.
Under sunny skies, competitors ripped into perfect summer conditions with offshore winds keeping the ocean surface clean all day long. This allowed all divisions that hit the water ample opportunity to impress not only Taj Burrow, but the judges and spectators alike.
Round one non-elimination round one heats set the tone for an exciting day of surfing, as competitors tore into great conditions.
Travis Barkhuizen (Eglinton), Ozzi Trigwell (Dunsborough) and Remy North (Yallingup) highlighted the opening heats of the day with some great top to bottom surfing on display in the blue-ribbon 16 & Under Boys division.
While, Ruby Berry (Augusta), Lilli Cox (Margaret River), Isi Campbell (Denmark) and Mia Scott (Margaret River) all went mental in the 16 & Under Girls division.
WA’s most successful professional male surfer, Taj Burrow spent much of the day one the beach, surfing with the groms, commentating heats and frothing out on some of the amazing performances on offer.
“I’m stoked the swell backed off overnight and it’s pumping for the groms out there right now, I’m stoked to see there are some fun little waves on offer and that everyone got out there and got amongst it.”
As well as three days of red-hot surfing action, there will be no shortage of fun and interactive opportunities for competitors and families to enjoy throughout the event.
Awesome summer conditions are forecast to continue tomorrow with the swell and winds both forecast to be perfect for Shallows. Competition will continue tomorrow from 7:15am sharp. The 2021 Taj’s Small Fries, presented by Board.Store will be based in Yallingup on WA’s South West coast from Friday 15th – Sunday 17th January.
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.
