Groms ride high at champs

The Woolworths Australian Junior Surfing Team, which included three groms from the South West, placed third at the recent VISSLA International Surf Association’s World Junior Surfing Championship at Huntington Beach, California.

Cowaramup Bay Boardriders’ Cy Cox and Seth Van Haeften, and Yallingup Boardriders’ Emma Cattlin were part of the 12-strong team.

Cox competed in the under-18 boys and placed ninth individually, celebrating a well-deserved placing in the international top 10.

Van Haeften competed in the under-16 boys and placed an equal 15th and Cattlin competed in the under-16 girls and placed 25th.

Cowaramup Bay Boardriders’ Maddie Cawood and Danny Benedetti also competed at the international championships, with Cawood representing the UK and individually placing equal 31st, and Benedetti surfing for Italy and scoring an individual international placing of 65th.

Margaret River surf veteran Mike McAuliffe was co-coach for the Australian team, and Cowaramup Boardriders president Pete Cawood thanked him for his “amazing guidance to all our kids”.

A team of 14 groms from the Cowaramup Bay Boardriders, and Yallingup locals Cattlin and Otis North, 12, will form more than half of the WA team representing the State at the upcoming Surf, Dive n Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles.

Cox place second in last year’s competition in the under-18 boys and Jack Haslau placed fourth.

Van Haeften placed second in the under-16 boys and Solomon Pogue-Englert placed second in the under-14 boys.

Cattlin finished third in the under-16 girls’ division.

Mr Cawood said all surfers had shown “hard work, determination, commitment and compromise” over the last year.

“I am sure many of our younger members will be inspired to follow their dreams even more,” he said.

“The results show the true depth of talent coming through the club’s rankings.”

The Surf, Dive n Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles will be held from December 1-8 in Victor Harbour, SA.