Grommet champions have joined an illustrious group of winners to enter their name into Taj’s Small Fries prestigious honour roll after an exciting finish to WA’s biggest junior surfing event today in Yallingup.
The event concluded literally in the event-host Taj Burrow’s front yard, with finalists ripping into two-feet wind affected peaks at the ever reliable back-up spot Shallows.
Competitors who adapted quickly from the large powerful reef-breaks on Friday to the punchy beach-breaks of Shallows came out on top.
“We’ve had such a wide range of conditions that these guys and girls have definitely earned their spot into today’s finals”, Burrow said.
The 16 and Under Girls division was a great look into the future of female surfing in Western Australia, with all four finalists showing they’ve got what it takes to make the professional ranks.
Yallingup’s Emma Cattlin benefited from a home ground advantage, using her strong backhand attack to claim victory at one of her favourite local breaks.
Cattlin posted a combined total of 13.75 from a possible 20 to defeat Mandurah’s April McPherson, Margaret River’s Arabelle Gibson and Kalbarri’s Taiana Duncan.
“I’m off to the GromSearch National Final tonight, so this is the perfect confidence boost before I head to North Narrabeen tonight,” Cattlin said. Mandurah’s Maverick Wilson, Margaret River’s Cruz Sheridan, Yallingup’s Remy North and Barwon Heads’ Jerry Kelly had the beach hotting and hollering to their mature and innovative approach in the new 10 and Under Mixed Division.
When the siren sounded it was Maverick Wilson that came out on top, finishing on a two-wave combined total of 15.40 out of a possible 20.
The 12 and Under Girls made light work of the windy afternoon conditions, impressing Burrows and the judges alike with their fearless approach and critical manoeuvres.
Margaret River’s Willow Hardy was the best of the bunch, picking off two perfect little left hand runners, which allowed her to execute a series of high-speed forehand turns.
Hardy was rewarded with a heat high 7.00 from a possible 10 and backed it up with a 6.00 to finish on a combined total of 13.00 (from a possible 20).
“This is my favourite event and I can’t believe I’ve won two years in a row,” Hardy said. “The waves have been so fun and I want to thank my family for all their support.”
The 16 and Under Boys division was a heavy weight boxing match on the water, with Margaret River’s Finn Cox, Canggu’s Kian Martin, Margaret River’s Seth Van Haeften and Cottesloe’s Charlie Castleden duking it out to see who’ll be the winner of Taj’s Small Fries blue ribbon division.
Cox was in amazing form dropping a near perfect 9.50 (from a possible 10) for his vicious backhand attack.
Cox didn't drop a heat all event and his ability in a variety of waves saw his also claim a money can't buy experience, awarded the Surfing World magazine photo shoot winner.
“It's been the best day ever and this is the biggest winner I've ever had,” Cox said. “Taj is one of my favourite surfers and I can't wait to go on the Surfing World trip – it's going to be sick.”
Forecast: Thursday will have SSE winds and a rising 2m plus swell in the afternoon. Friday looks good with the new 2.3m swell and clean SE winds grooming conditions. Saturday will have more SE trade winds with a smaller 1.5m swell and then an onshore change on Sunday. Hot Spot: Yallingup mainbreak.