WA’s next generation of surfing stars will fly the flag for the west at the 2025 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in Peru this December. Olive Hardy (Gnarabup) and Maverick Wilson (Dunsborough) have both earned selection in the Australian Junior Irukandjis Team, joining the country’s top juniors to take on the world’s best at Punta Rocas.
Hardy, the 2024 Australian Champion in the U16 Girls, has been a standout all year winning state and national competitions and gaining experience in select WSL Qualifying Series events. Wilson, the 2023 U16 Australian Junior Series winner, has stepped up into the U18 Boys division where he is currently ranked fourth nationally. Both surfers will be part of Team Australia as they look to defend their Junior World Title following a historic win in El Salvador last year.
Read Surfing Australia’s full media statement below.
2025 AUSTRLIAN JUNIOR IRUKANDJI’S TEAM ANNOUNCED
Surfing Australia is proud to announce the 2025 Australian Junior Irukandjis Team, who will represent the nation at the upcoming ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, set for December 5–14, 2025, at Punta Rocas, Peru.
Team Australia returns as the defending champions, following a historic victory at the 2024 ISA World Junior Championships in El Salvador, where Ziggy Mackenzie and Dane Henry both claimed gold in their respective divisions. The Irukandjis will look to defend their crown on the world stage, showcasing the strength, unity, and depth of talent in Australia’s junior surfing pathway.
The ISA World Surfing Games is one of the sport’s most prestigious events for emerging surf talent, and a proven pathway to the Olympic Games, with more than 80% of Olympic surfers having competed at this event.
2025 AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR IRUKANDJIS TEAM
UNDER 18 BOYS:
Sam Lowe (Thirroul, NSW): The 2024 Australian Champion, Lowe has been a standout in national competition and will look to bring his powerful, consistent surfing onto the world stage in Peru.
Mitchell Peterson (Noosa, QLD): Currently leading the 2025 Australian Junior Series, Peterson has built his season on strong results and consistency, making him one of the in-form surfers in the U18 division.
Maverick Wilson (Dunsborough, WA): The 2023 U16 Australian Junior Series winner, Wilson has quickly established himself among the older division and is currently ranked 4th in the U18 standings.
UNDER 18 GIRLS:
Milla Brown (Bungan, NSW): The 2024 Australian Champion, Brown also represented Australia at the Open ISA World Surfing Championships where the team won gold and she finished 11th in the world.
Sierra Kerr (Bilinga, QLD): A two-time Junior World Champion, including an ISA World Title, Kerr brings proven international experience and a reputation as one of the most talented juniors in the world.
Isla Huppatz (Burleigh, NSW): Runner-up at the 2024 Australian Junior Championships, Huppatz was part of one of the most progressive women’s finals ever seen in junior surfing, pushing innovation with every heat.
UNDER 16 BOYS:
Ocean Lancaster (Merewether, NSW): The 2024 Australian Champion, Lancaster is known for his smooth style and composure under pressure, setting him up as a key contender in the U16 division.
Caden Francis (Coolangatta, QLD): Recognised for his dynamic air game, Francis will carry international experience into Peru after earning a place at Stab High Japan in 2025.
Max McGillivray (Evans Head, NSW): Runner-Up on the 2024 Australian Junior Series rankings, McGillivray had a breakout year with back-to-back wins at Skull Candy and the Rip Curl GromSearch at Phillip Island.
UNDER 16 GIRLS:
Lucy Darragh (Gerringong, NSW) : Fresh off a QS6000 win in Nias, Darragh has proven herself on the Qualifying Series and continues to rise as one of Australia’s most promising junior surfers.
Olive Hardy (Gnarabup, WA): The 2024 Australian Champion, Hardy brings consistency and competitive sharpness that will be crucial in the world-class Punta Rocas lineup.
Charli Hately (Burleigh, NSW): Currently ranked among the top surfers on the Australia/Oceania Qualifying Series, Hately’s 2025 season has included a runner-up at the QS6000 in Nias, underlining her world-class form.
Surfing Australia’s National Junior Coach, Pete Duncan, said the calibre of the 2025 Australian Junior Irukandji’s is undeniable.
“The depth of talent in Australia and our rigorous qualification system mean every athlete has truly earned their place. With four athletes returning from last year’s gold medal-winning team, we’ve got the experience and competitive edge to push for back-to-back titles,” Duncan said.
He added that preparation is already underway, with the team to come together ahead of the ISA World Junior Championship in Peru.
“Our three-day camp at the Surfing Australia Hyundai High Performance Centre (HPC) is critical, not only to prepare for the unique ISA format and the Peruvian waves, but to build unity. Surfing is often individual, yet at the ISA Games we thrive on our team values, leadership, and the chance to represent Australia together,” Duncan said.
The team will hold a camp from the 12th – 14th November here at the Surfing Australia HPC and media interviews can be organised by request.
Surfing Australia’s National High Performance Director, Kate Wilcomes, believes the squad embodies the future of Australian surfing and is ready to rise to the challenge on the world stage.
“Returning as defending champions, the Irukandjis now have an opportunity to build on a golden legacy. Each member has earned their place through hard work, dedication, and consistent performances and we’re excited to see them showcase the team spirit and pride that comes with wearing the green and gold.”
Luke MacDonald, Surfing Australia Head of Pathway Program, said:
“I am thrilled with the team selected to represent Australia at the ISA World Junior Championships in Peru this December. This group of athletes brings real depth of talent and strong competitive experience, and their skill sets are well suited to the powerful waves at Punta Rocas. With the support of Head Coach Pete Duncan and Team Manager Tegan Cronau, the athletes will have every opportunity to perform at their best. After last year’s success and the Opens Team’s recent gold, we are aiming to carry that momentum and once again bring the title back to Australia.”
The Irukandjis will proudly wear the green and gold, joining over 40 nations and hundreds of athletes in what is set to be one of the most competitive ISA World Junior Surfing Championships yet.
About the ISA World Surfing Games 2025
Of the 71 athletes who have competed in surfing’s Olympic debut, 59 were former ISA World Junior competitors, including Olympic medalists Caroline Marks (USA), Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), Gabriel Medina (BRA), and Australia’s own Owen Wright. With names like these etched into ISA history, the ISA World Junior Surfing Championships remain a critical stepping stone in the journey to Olympic and World Tour success.
The 2025 edition marks the 21st running of the championship and the second time it will be hosted in Peru. Punta Rocas has long been a historic surf destination, playing host to milestone moments including the Lima 2019 Pan American Games and multiple ISA World Championships.
About the Irukandjis
The Irukandjis name was generously gifted to Surfing Australia by the Yirrganydji people of North Queensland. The team’s tagline — ‘Deadly in the Water’ — comes from the potent Irukandji jellyfish, reflecting both the cultural heritage and fierce competitive spirit of Australian surfers.
All elite Australian surfers, across Olympic, longboard, big wave, adaptive, SUP, junior, and masters disciplines, compete internationally under the Irukandjis banner and colours.
Follow the Irukandjis via: www.surfingaustralia.com/irukandjis and @theirukandjis on Instagram.
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