A red hot opening event of the 2024 Woolworths WA Junior Surfing Titles presented by Think Mental Health, wrapped up in style yesterday in Yallingup, with over 100 frothing grommets from right across Western Australia providing some electrifying performances across a sizzling three days of competition.
Small, but highly contestable summer conditions at Shallows provided the canvas for WA’s newest generation of surfing champions to display their talents, at the first of three events that will determine who will represent WA at the Australian Junior Surfing Titles later in the year.
Kaleisha Launders (Margaret River) claimed victory in the Under-18 Junior Girls division, edging out Ruby Berry (Margaret River) by just 0.22 when the final siren sounded. Launders found the best waves in the final and executed her manoeuvres exquisitely to finish on a two-wave combined total of 8.78 (from a possible 20).
“I’m stoked to get the win in some pretty tricky conditions,” said Launders. “All the girls were ripping, but I was just lucky to find a couple of good waves out there.”
Finn Lange (Margaret River) sliced and diced his way to his maiden State Title victory in the Under-18 Junior Boys final.
15 year old Lange, was competing in the Under-18’s for the first time, took down Okie Fraser (Margaret River), Cruz Sheridan (Margaret River) and Yallingup’s Remy North with an emphatic performance that saw him post a combined total of 15.43 (from a possible 20), which included an 8.50 and 6.93.
“There was a few lull’s out there so I just made the most of the the set waves when they came through,” said Lange “This is my first State Title win and I couldn’t be happier right now.”
Rosie Gillett (Dunsborough) saved her best til last, catching a buzzer beating wave that pushed her into the lead in the dying moments of a hotly-contested Under-16 Girls final. Gillett used her local knowledge, scoring a 5.30 (from a possible 10) on her final wave to move ahead of Olive Hardy (Margaret River), Leila Fraser (Margaret River) and Grace Cook (Cowaramup).
Less than one point separated first, second and third, with Gillett pumped with her efforts, taking an all important opening round win.
“It was so hard out there, but I’m so stoked to take the win,” said Gillett. “Olive, Leila and Grace were all ripping and I’m glad that wave came to me in the end.”
Cruz Uros (Dunsborough) was another impressive local performer taking out the Under-16 Boys final. Uros had a heat high score of 7.63 (from a possible 10) and backed in up with a 3.97, to finished on combined total of 11.60 (from a possible 20).
Uros took the win ahead of Charlie Harris (Swanbourne), Reef Lange (Margaret River) and Ace Flynn (Cowaramup), who all challenged him throughout the final.
“The Under-16’s is so stacked this year with so many good surfers and so much improvement in this division,” said Wilson. “All these events are so fun and I’m pumped to take the win.”
Ily Fraser (Margaret River) continued her excellent form that saw her win Taj’s Small Fries in January, taking out the Under-14 Girls final. Fraser’s forehand and backhand surfing held off a trio of South-West surfers including Lulu Wilson (Dunsborough), Stella Annesley (Margaret River), and Lily Naylor (Cowaramup).
“I learnt so much competing at the National Titles last year and I want to get back there again this year,” said Fraser. “Thanks to my family and all my friends who are here to support me.”
Cruz Macdonald (Geraldton), lead the way for a fresh batch of exciting surfers from the Mid-West, claiming victory in the Under-14 Boys division. Macdonald was a standout surfer throughout the event and was too strong for Jasper Glossop (Broadwater), Ethan Anderson (Cowaramup) and Zenn Hammond (Gracetown), scoring a combined total of 12.55 (from a possible 20) in the final.
“It’s always windy in Geraldton so I was quite comfortable in the conditions out there,” said Macdonald. “I’m really motivated to try and make the State Team this year and this is a perfect start to the series for me.”
The Under-12 Micro Groms divisions proved the future of surfing in Western Australia is in safe hands with Summer Barkhuizen (Eglinton) and Nate Spooner (Dunsborough) the best of the youngest surfers in the event.
Poppy Redman Carr (Quindalup) and Kostya Rogoysky (Hillarys) awarded the Creatures of Leisure Little Legend Awards for their outstanding efforts throughout the event.
The next event of the Woolworths WA Junior Surfing Titles will hit Trigg Beach in May, where the journey towards crowning WA’s junior surfing champions will continue.
For more information on this event or any other junior surfing event happening in Western Australia, be sure to follow Surfing WA’s social media channels or visit www.surfingwa.com.au for all the latest updates and highlights.
Surfing WA reminds everyone to stay focused on the road ahead. Remember, #NoTxtNoWrecks – ditch the distraction and leave your phone alone when behind the wheel.
Final Event Results – Round # 1 Yallingup:
Under-12 Micro-Grom Girls:
1. Summer Barkhuizen (Eglinton) – 10.13
2. Amelie Wroth (Mandurah) – 9.60
3. Rosie Annesley (Margaret River) – 6.21
4. Luna Thomas (Margaret River) – 5.88
Under-12 Micro-Grom Boys:
1. Nate Spooner (Dunsborough) – 14.21
2. Kyuss Rimmer (Trigg) – 10.98
3. Luke Harris (Swanbourne) – 9.43
4. Oscar Blackburn (Yallingup) – 5.18
Under-14 Grom Girls:
1. Ily Fraser (Margaret River) – 11.03
2. Lulu Wilson (Dunsborough) – 9.93
3. Stella Annesley (Margaret River) – 7.38
4. Lily Naylor (Cowaramup) – 2.48
Under-14 Grom Boys:
1. Cruz Macdonald (Geraldton) – 12.55
2. Jasper Glossop (Broadwater) – 11.20
3. Ethan Anderson (Cowaramup) – 10.91
4. Zenn Hammond (Gracetown) – 8.65
Under-16 Cadet Girls:
1. Rosie Gillet (Dunsborough) – 9.98
2. Olive Hardy (Margaret River) – 9.90
3. Leila Fraser (Margaret River) – 9.01
4. Grace Cook (Cowaramup) – 7.96
Under-16 Cadet Boys:
1. Cruz Uros (Dunsborough) – 11.60
2. Charlie Harris (Swanbourne) – 9.77
3. Reef Lange (Yallingup) – 9.20
4. Ace Flynn (Cowaramup) – 1.38
Under-18 Junior Girls:
1. Kaleisha Launders (Margaret River) – 8.78
2. Ruby Berry (Augusta) – 8.56
3. Isi Campbell (Denmark) – 5.58
4. Willow Hines (Margaret River) – 5.31
Under-18 Junior Boys:
1. Finn Lange (Margaret River) – 15.43
2. Okie Fraser (Margaret River) – 11.13
3. Cruz Sheridan (Margaret River) – 7.35
4. Remy North (Yallingup) – 7.10
