Battle of the Groms

One hundred of WA’s best junior surfers are preparing to muster in the wave-rich Margaret River region this weekend for stop one of the 2020 WA Junior Surfing Titles. Grommets aged between nine and 17 years will converge from all corners of the State for what is the first of three events to determine who will represent WA at the Surf Dive 'n Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles in Queensland later this year. “It’s shaping up to be a great weekend of surfing,” Surfing WA events manager Justin Majeks said. “Despite a small swell forecast, Surfers Point can handle a wide variety of swell sizes and conditions, so I’m confident that the groms will light up on whatever is out there.” Leading the local efforts are Jed Gradisen (Gracetown), Solomon Pogue-Englert (Gracetown), Zali Hewson (Margaret River), Danny Benedetti (MR), Willow Hardy (MR) and Macklin Flynn (Cowaramup) but they expect plenty of stiff opposition from surfers from as far afield as Albany through to Kalbarri. Coral Durant, of Red Bluff, who captured the under-18 girls’ Australian title at Surfers Point in December, said she was excited to return to Margaret River for the opening event of 2020. “I love the waves at Margaret River and I hold such fond memories of the place after my success last year,” she said. “I look forward to catching up with all my friends and competing in some fun waves.” Many of WA’s top surfers cut their teeth competing at the junior titles, with Taj Burrow (Yallingup), Ry Craike (Kalbarri), Creed McTaggart (MR), Jack Robinson (MR), Claire Bevilacqua (Yallingup), Jacob Willcox (MR) and Bronte Macaulay (Gracetown) all winning the State championships in previous years. The surfing starts at 7.30am tomorrow depending on conditions, with finals set for Sunday. Surfing WA will live-stream heat scores and results from the competition via www.surfingwalive.com.au.