Some of WA’s best young surfers battled through a weekend of contrasting conditions at Trigg Beach, as the second event of the 2022 Woolworths State Junior Surfing Titles presented by SunSmart, concluded with two State Champions crowned along Perth’s metropolitan beaches yesterday.
Clean early morning waves and sunny skies, transitioned to windswept and challenging afternoon conditions which made the going tough for the hoards of frothing grommets who converged from all corners of the State to compete.
Jesse Siedmiogrodzki (City Beach), won a hotly contested Under-18 Junior Boys final with some impressive surfing on display throughout the event. Throwing down some great forehand and backhand turns, Siedmiogrodzki amassed a combined total of 11.23 (from a possible 20), edging out regional trio Macklin Flynn (Cowaramup), Jake Hagan (Geraldton) and Brock Launders (Margaret River), with less than one point separating all four finalist.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had a win,” said Siedmiogrodzki. “I’m stoked right now and thanks to all the boys for pushing me in such a close final.”
Margaret River’s Zali Hewson claimed the Under-18 Junior Girls final with some flashy and fast surfing highlighting her performance. Hewson was challenged by Ruby Berry (Augusta), but rose to the occasion when it mattered most, dropping a heat high 6.67 (from a possible 10), backing it up with a 6.40 to finish on a combined total of 13.07 (from a possible 20).
“The waves have been challenging, but I’m happy to find a couple out there in the lump and bump,” said Hewson. “Thanks to everyone for a great weekend.”
Dunsborough’s Maverick Wilson continued to show his surfing is on a steep trajectory, taking out back-to-back wins and claiming the Under-16 Cadet Boys State Title for 2022.
Wilson’s eye-catching surfing and his superior wave selection saw him post heat score total of 16.00 (from a possible 20), which included an excellent 8.83 (from a possible 10) leaving Okie Fraser (Margaret River), Sid Englert (Gracetown) and Kade Martin (Dunsborough) chasing either near perfect scores or in a combination situation.
“I’m stoked to win in and to lock in the State Title was my goal for the year,” said Wilson. “Im looking forward to heading over east and travelling with my family for a while.”
Kaleisha Launders (Margaret River) battled hard for victory in the Under-16 Cadet Girls final with the future of female surfing in the State on display. Launders sliced and diced her way through the afternoon chop to take the win ahead of Leila Fraser (Margaret River), Ruby Berry (Augusta) and Olive Hardy (Margaret River).
“That was hard work out there,” said Launders. “I know how well all of the girls can surf, so I was relieved to hear the siren sound.”
Cruz Uros (Dunsborough) claimed the closest win of the weekend in the Under-14 Groms Boys Final, using skateboarding skills to sneak ahead of Jake Scott (Swanbourne) by just 0.01.
“That was a crazy final and I was so relieved when I hit the beach,” said Uros. “I didn’t do as well as I’d like in Margaret River so this make up for that and I’m looking forward to Geraldton already.”
Olive Hardy (Gnarabup) was another surfer to claim a State Title over the weekend, taking out the Under-14 Grom Girls with back-to-back wins in event one and two. One of the most stoked surfers you’ll ever meet, Hardy was motivated by her older sister Willow’s performance at the ISA World Junior Championships and her smile was hard to hide after her win.
Hardy scored two seven point rides to defeat Mia Jacobs (Mandurah), Leila Fraser (Margaret River) and Indie Siedmiogrodzki (City Beach).
“I’m so happy right now,” said Hardy. “It’s been a great weekend and thanks to all the people here cheering me on.”
Jaspar Glossop (Busselton) claimed a memorable win in the Under-12 Micro Groms division, posting the highest combined heat total of the weekend with an amazing 16.83 (from a possible 20). Glossop will be a surfer to keep your eye on into the future, with some fantastic surfing on display.
Glossop’s win came ahead of Cruz MacDonald (Geraldton), Taylor Flynn (Cowaramup) and Jack Harris (Swanbourne).
“These conditions are a little different to what I normally surf,” said Glossop. “I love being here competing and making new friends.”
The final event of the Woolworths WA Junior Surf Titles will head to Geraldton in July to determine who will represent WA at the Woolworths Australian Junior Surfing Titles to be held in Queensland later this year.
“I’d like to congratulate our newly crowned State Champions and divisional winner,” said Surfing WA events manager Justin Majeks. “WA’s junior surfers continue to impress me and with four State Titles still up for grabs, I’m sure Geraldton will provide some fireworks.”
Cruz MacDonald was presented with the Creatures of Leisure Little Legend Award for posting the highest individual score of the weekend a 9.01 (from a possible 10).
Surfing WA acknowledges the State Government’s support through the Road Safety Commission and 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.
For more information on this or any other WA event be sure to log onto www.surfingwa.com.au and check out all the Surfing WA social media platforms for event updates and information.
For more information on this or any other WA event be sure to log onto www.surfingwa.com.au and check out all the Surfing WA social media platforms for event updates and information.
Final Results – Woolworths Junior Surf Titles Round 2 Trigg Beach:
Under 18 Junior Boys:
1. Jesse Siedmiogrodzki (City Beach) – 11.23
2. Macklin Flynn (Cowaramup) – 11.13
3. Jake Hagan (Geraldton) – 10.90
4. Brock Launders (Margaret River) – 10.40
Under 18 Junior Girls:
1. Zali Hewson (Margaret River) – 13.07
2. Ruby Berry (Augusta) – 11.67
3. Edel Rodden (Geraldton) – 6.07
4. Mia Scott (Margaret River) – 5.20
Under 16 Cadet Boys:
1. Maverick Wilson (Dunsborough) – 16.00
2. Okie Fraser (Margaret River) – 11.8
3. Sid Englert (Gracetown) – 8.80
4. Kade Martin (Dunsborough) – 6.90
2022 State Champion: Maverick Wilson
Under 16 Cadet Girls:
1. Kaleisha Launders (Margaret River) – 10.23
2. Leila Fraser (Margaret River) – 7.64
3. Ruby Berry (Augusta) – 7.50
4. Olive Hardy (Gnarabup) – 6.00
Under 14 Grom Boys:
1. Cruz Uros (Dunsborough) – 10.97
2. Jake Scott (Swanbourne) – 10.96
3. Kade Martin (Dunsborough) – 10.20
4. Jack Bulloch (Secret Harbour) – 9.77
Under 14 Grom Girls:
1. Olive Hardy (Gnarabup) – 14.27
2. Mia Jacobs (Mandurah) – 10.07
3. Leila Fraser (Margaret River) – 8.86
4. Indie Siedmiogrodzki (City Beach) – 6.60
2022 State Champion: Olive Hardy
Under 12 Micro Groms:
1. Jasper Glossop (Busselton) – 16.83
2. Cruz McDonald (Geraldton) – 8.13
3. Taylor Flynn (Cowaramup) – 8.10
4. Jack Harris (Swanbourne) – 4.83
Woolworths State Junior Surfing Titles presented by SunSmart:
Round 1 – Margaret River
March 26th – 27th 2022
Round 2 – Trigg Beach
28th – 29th May 2022
Round 3 – Geraldton
16th – 17th July 2022
Divisions:
Under 18 Junior Girls
Under 18 Junior Boys
Under 16 Cadet Girls
Under 16 Cadet Boys
Under 14 Grommet Girls
Under 14 Grommet Boys
Under 12 Micro-Groms
