THE wave-rich Margaret River region provided the perfect setting for the second event of the Subway Surf Series with local surfing Mia McCarthy triumphant in the World Surf League sanctioned Pro Junior event for competitions aged 18 years and under.
With a total prize pool of $7000 and valuable WSL ratings points on offer, a stellar field of surfers came from far and wide representing four different nations.
An action packed one-day format saw competitors battle true wild-west conditions as a building swell and strong afternoon winds made for close finishes and exciting performances across the board.
The blue ribbon 18 and under boys final was reserved for the best four surfers of the day with Queenslander Quinn Bruce triumphing against Jed Mattinson, Reef Heazlewood and Zac Wightman.
Bruce surfed with power and polish to cut through and lumps and bumps with ease to post an excellent score of 8.5 from a possible 10.
“It’s been a massive day, but to come away with the win makes it all worthwhile,” he said.
“I love it here in WA and all the boys have been ripping today, so I’m stoked.”
Despite the best efforts of Wightman (13.25), Heazlewood (11.45) and Margaret River’s Mattinson (8.75), they were all left chasing big scores to catch the in-form Bruce.
Mia McCarthy used her local knowledge to perfection taking the biggest win of her young career.
McCarthy scored a heat high 7.75 from a possible 10 and backed it up with a 6.25 to finish on a combined total of 14.00 from a possible 20.
“I’m feeling on top of the world right now,” she said.
“I was getting smashed at the start of the heat, I got that one good wave and that was it.”
Vittoria Farmer surfed great all day to post her consecutive second place finish at the Subway Surf Series.
Farmer finished ahead of Lucy Callister and Gracetown surfer Bailee Hastie.
Surfing WA events manager Justin Majeks was complimentary of everyone who attended Saturday’s competition at one of the Margaret River’s best high performance locations.
“It was great to see such a high standard from surfers from right across the Australasian region,” Majeks said.
“Congratulations to all our winners, especially our local talent who really stepped it up on home turf.”
The WSL sanctioned Subway Pro Junior event next heads to NSW with Avoca set to play host to the third event of the 2016 series.
The series forms part of the 2016 WSL Australasian Junior Qualifying Series, providing the winning athletes with an opportunity to win a coveted world title, at the WSL world junior championships in early 2017.
