YALLINGUP turned on classic surf conditions for the three day Taj’s Small Fries event last weekend with the final day moved to Smiths beach for the first time in the event history.
Some of Australia’s and WA’s best grommets were amped to surf the perfect grommet waves at Shallows and Smiths Reef with a new level of ripping being on show for spectators and parents.
“It’s just been the most perfect location for a comp, I can’t believe that we’ve never held the event here before,” Taj Burrows said.
“I couldn’t be happier with how things have gone in 2018 and long live the Small Fries.”
Emma Cattlin from Yallingup went back-to-back, winning the 16 & Under Girls division ahead of Margaret River’s Maddie Cawood.
Cattlin proved she’s one of WA’s rising stars with another precise display of polished surfing.
“I’m so happy, Smith’s is my local break and I was so stoked to hear that we’d be surfing the finals out here,” Cattlin said.
“It’s my final year competing in the Small Fries and winning again means everything to me, this is where I started competing as a little kid and it is cool I can finish as a winner.”
Remy North from Dunsborough posted big scores in the 10/U division to claim his maiden victory and was pumped with the win.
“I’m so stoked, amazed, and surprised to have won,” North said.
“It’s been a great to get all the groms here to Yallingup from right across Australia.”
His total final score was 15.75 out of 20 and Taj paddled out with the youngest finalists to watch on and catch a few waves.
Dunsborough’s Jay Robinson made the hotly contested 14/U Boys final which was highly entertaining display of riding and Robinson placed fourth overall with Solomon Poe Englet taking out first place.
Ned Hart third place in the 12/U and was won by Brazilian Ryan Kainalo.
Forecast:
Thursday looks good with SE winds and a 1.6m swell. Australia Day Friday turns SSW and drops to 1.5m. Saturday sees a new 2m swell hitting in the afternoon with SSW winds and Sunday looks great with a 2.2m swell and clean SE winds.
Hotspot:
Smiths on Sunday.
Taj’s Small Fries results
16 & Under Boys: 1. Finn Cox (Margaret River, WA) – 16.75; 2. Seth Van Haeften (Margaret River, WA) – 14.10.
16 & Under Girls: 1. Emma Cattlin (Yallingup, WA) – 15.85; 2. Maddie Cawood (Margaret River, WA) – 13.75.
14 & Under Boys: 1. Solomon Pogue-Englert (Gracetown, WA) – 18.00; 2. Danny Benedetti (Margaret River, WA) – 15.15; 3. Dexter Payenberg (East Fremantle, WA) – 11.10; 4. Jay Robinson (Dunsborough, WA) – 11.00.
14 & Under Girls: 1. Zali Hewson (Margaret River, WA) – 16.25; 2. Lilliana Bowrey (Sunshine Coast, QLD) – 13.25; 3. Rosie Smart (Coffs Harbour, NSW) – 8.70; 4. Lilli Cox (Margaret River, WA) – 8.50.
12 & Under Boys: 1. Ryan Kainalo (Brazil) – 12.45; 2. Lawson Thomas (Willagee, WA) – 9.10; 3. Ned Hart (Dunsborough, WA) – 8.35; 4. Macklin Flynn (Mandurah, WA) – 7.25.
12 & Under Girls: 1. Willow Hardy (Margaret River, WA) – 11.65; 2. Kaleisha Launders (Margaret River, WA) – 8.90; 3. Ruby Berry (Augusta, WA) – 7.35; 4. CJ Sheahan (Margaret River, WA) – 4.80.
10 & Under Mixed: 1. Remy North (Dunsborough, WA) – 15.75; 2. Will Martin (Coffs Harbour, NSW) – 13.80; 3. Okie Frazer (Margaret River, WA) – 13.00; 4. Maverick Wilson (Mandurah, WA) – 10.25.