Australasia’s best young surfers are preparing to descend on Yallingup next week for the milestone 20th edition of Taj’s Small Fries, Western Australia’s biggest, best and most prestigious junior surfing event.
Small Fries promises to be an unforgettable celebration of surf culture, competition, and community, with this year marking two decades of Small Fries stoke.
The event has attracted junior surfers from right across Australasia, including Indonesia, the Maldives, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and all corners of Western Australia.
Taj’s Small Fries will kick off Surfing Western Australia’s 2025 competition schedule and it’ll be the first marquee 10,000-point rated events of the Australian Junior Series, providing a launchpad for the next generation of surfing stars who are looking to follow in Taj’s footsteps.
Taj’s Small Fries has grown to become a rite of passage for junior surfers, offering a platform for groms to showcase their skills and forge lasting memories. Event host and WA surfing legend Taj Burrow is thrilled to see the competition reach this incredible milestone.
“20 years – wow, I can’t believe how far we’ve come,” Burrow said. “It’s incredible to see how this event has evolved and grown, and I’m so proud to be part of something that continues to inspire young surfers year after year. This year, we’re expecting close 200 groms, and I can’t wait to see the talent on display.”
Over the years, Taj’s Small Fries has been instrumental in shaping the careers of Australian surfing icons, including WA’s own Felicity Palmateer,Jack Robinson, Bronte Macaulay, and Jacob Willcox, and Burrow is excited to witness the rise of future champions.
“Western Australia’s waves are something special, and it will be so cool to see the best junior surfers taking on the same coastline I grew up on,” he said. “This event has become a highlight for so many surfers from all over Australasia, and it’s an honour to see the Small Fries spirit still going strong.”
The competition will feature divisions for boys and girls ranging from Under-12s to Under-18s. Local WA surfers will have the chance to test their skills against interstate and international competitors, creating a dynamic and thrilling atmosphere.
Surfing WA Events Manager Justin Majeks is delighted to see the event continue to grow in size and prestige.“The 20th Taj’s Small Fries is shaping up to be our biggest and best yet,” Majeks said. “It’s an incredible opportunity for WA’s junior surfers to compete at the highest level on their home turf, and we can’t wait to see what this year brings.”
Olive Hardy (Margaret River), the reigning Under-16 Girls National Champion will be moving into the blue ribbon Under-18 Girls division for the first time in 2025. Hardy first competed in Taj’s Small Fries as an eight year old back in 2017 and is excited to start the year off in Yallingup
“Small Fries is definitely one of my favourite events of the year and I can’t wait for next week,” Hardy said. “It’s cool to have so many Easter Coasters coming over and I really want to use this event to start building towards my first ever ISA World Junior Championships later this year.”
Picturesque Yallingup and it’s world-class waves helped to develop Taj into an international surfing icon and the City of Busselton is thrilled to be supporting the biggest junior surfing event in Western Australia.
“The South West is home to some incredible young surfing talent and we are thrilled to continue supporting this youth-focused surfing event,” said City of Busselton Mayor Phill Cronin.“Hats off to event organisers who continue to exceed expectations of this prestigious junior event. It’s wonderful to be able to showcase our stunning surf beaches, while giving local surfers the chance to shine. I wish all the competitors the best of luck and extend my gratitude to their families, supporters and spectators who contribute to the wonderful community spirit that makes this event so special.”
The 20th Taj’s Small Fries promises to deliver a thrilling spectacle of junior surfing, with plenty of things happening in and around the event for competitors are families to enjoy:
• Opening Ceremony & Welcome to Country: Kicking off the event at Caves House on Wednesday, January 15th from 3pm
• Board.Store Pong Off: Presented by Board.Store, competitors can face off against Taj in one of hist favourite past times, Ping-Pong. Competitors can win prizes and face off against the legend himself. Friday 17th January from 5pm
• The HeriTAJ Heat: Taj will be hitting the water with former event champions and some of his best friends in a must see surfing exhibition.
• Event Activations: There will be free skin checks happening thanks to We Are Feel Good Inc, on-beach coaching, and much, much more.
Keep up to date on all things Taj’s Small Fries by following Surfing WA’s social platforms or checking out the event mini site:
www.surfingwa.com.au/events/tajsmallfries/
About Taj’s Small Fries:
Since 2006, Taj’s Small Fries has been WA’s premier junior surfing event, providing a springboard for aspiring surfing stars. Hosted by Taj Burrow, the event has been pivotal in nurturing surfing talent, with past champions including Felicity Palmateer, Jack Robinson, Bronte Macaulay, and Jacob Willcox. This 20th-anniversary edition celebrates two decades of surf culture, community, and grommet stoke along WA’s iconic Yallingup coastline.
