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Six YETI Australian Junior Surfing Titles Champions were crowned today, with the women delivering an aerial masterclass in the U18 final, and Samuel Lowe claiming the Men’s title 30 years after his father achieved the same feat. Contest Director Jeremy Barnett praised the exceptional performances: “The
heat between Isla Huppatz and Milla Brown was the best finish to an Australian
Titles ever. The conditions were perfect with three-to-four foot and silky
smooth waves, giving every competitor the opportunity to to win because
of the waves. I’d like to congratulate all the competitors and states
for putting on such a wonderful spectacle. Our region is thankful for
that.” Samuel Lowe (Thirroul, NSW), whose father Mick Lowe is a former WSL surfer and the 1994 Australian Junior Champion, posted the highest heat total of the day, a 17.55 (out of a possible 20). With two excellent scores, including a 9.30 (out of a possible 10), Lowe left Fletcher Kelleher (Freshwater, NSW) comboed in the U18 Men’s final. “I can’t believe it. That was probably the best day of my life,” Lowe said. “The last couple of years have been the biggest rollercoaster for me. From a couple of good results here and there to just losing first round. This year has been the most injury ridden year I’ve ever had. I was out at the start of the year for three months and then I did my knee and missed a couple more comps. The hard work I’ve had to put back into it now is just coming out to show and I couldn’t be more stoked.”
Organisers and commentators alike said the U18 Women’s final was one of the best heats in Australian junior surfing history. Milla Brown (Newport, NSW) claimed the win with two excellent scores in a tight battle with Isla Huppatz (Bilinga, QLD). Huppatz, who earlier posted the highest single wave score of the day, a 9.58 in her semifinal, was relentless. She was awarded a 9.45 for landing a massive air, but Milla answered back with a similar air reverse, scoring an 8.45 to seal her victory “It feels crazy,” Brown said. “I almost had Isla in combo. She needed a high 9 with three minutes left. I let her go on an insider, and she does a proper air rev. Not even a little one, a proper one. I thought, ‘I’ve just cooked this so hard.’ Then I saw another insider and did a little air and got the score. I was so stoked.” “Me
and Isla have been talking about this moment for so long. Before we paddled
out, we said, ‘Let’s make this the best heat ever.'” In the U16 Men’s final, Ocean Lancaster (Merewether, NSW) started strong, posting an excellent 8.93 three-turn ride, and maintaining pressure with a 7.63 backup, leaving Henry Dowling (Sunrise Beach, QLD) comboed. “That
was a dream come true. Coming out on top put the icing on the cake,”
Lancaster said. “I had a good start to the year, got rattled in the
middle, but all the hard work paid off here. It feels so good.” Olive Hardy (Gnarabup, WA) followed in her sister Willow Hardy’s footsteps, winning the U16 Women’s final against Lucy Darragh (Gerringong, NSW) with a heat total of 13.75 to Lucy’s 11.46. The win also secured Olive a spot on the Irukandjis Team. “I’m
so excited,” Hardy said. “It has been my dream for so long since
I’ve been watching Willow’s heats when I was 12 at El Salvador,
I’m just so stoked. Mum and Dad were so stoked—we were all pretty
much crying. Over this past week, I’ve had such a good time with
Team West Oz. That took the pressure off it. Knowing my whole team was
backing me.” In the Under 14 Boys final, Zac Johnston (Coolangatta, QLD) and Locana Cullen (Avalon Beach, NSW) went wave for wave, with Zac posting an excellent 8.75 single-wave score. Despite a huge turn on a set wave, Loci came up just 0.25 points short to finish as runner-up. “I
can’t believe it,” Johnston said.”It’s crazy. I don’t
know what to say! I knew I needed to score. I stuck that turn and was
so happy. I was just hoping it would be enough. Everyone was cheering
when Loci got his wave. I was just praying it wasn’t the score!” In the U14 Girls final, Talia Tebb (Kincumber, NSW) defeated 11-year-old Ily Fraser (Margaret River, WA) with two solid scores, including a 7.93. “It
feels so good. I’m so stoked,” Tebb said. “The waves were
pumping out there. I was pretty nervous at the start because I haven’t
had the best year, but this win means a lot.” U18
Men U18
Women U16
Men U16
Women U14
Boys U14
Girls Surfing
Australia Special Awards: Overall
State Champion: For full results, please visit LiveHeats. About
the YETI Australian Junior Surfing Titles: Champions in U16 and U18 men and women will earn a spot on the Irukandjis Team to represent Australia at the 2025 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship. Every winner will also join a prestigious honour roll alongside current and former world Tour competitors, including Stephanie Gilmore, Molly Picklum, Sally Fitzgibbons, Laura Enever, Tyler Wright, Nikki Van Dijk, Coco Cairns, Owen Wright, Joel Parkinson, Mick Fanning and Reef Heazlewood. This year, the finals action will was broadcast live on the Surfing Australia YouTube channel. Event website https://australianjuniorsurfingtitles.com. The YETI Australian Junior Surfing Titles are proudly supported by YETI, Destination NSW, Destination Wollongong, Surfing NSW, BLACKROLL, Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort, KJ Scaffolding and Surfers for Climate. IMage Credits: Aaron Hughes NSW
takes out overall State Champion. Credit: Aaron Hughes / Surfing Australia |
Special thanks
SURFING NSW & SURFING AUSTRALIA