Cruz MacDonald records top score to win in round one of WA Junior Surfing Titles in Margaret River

Geraldton junior surfer Cruz MacDonald had a massive win in round one of the WA Junior Surfing Titles under-16s boys division last weekend. More than 80 participants tackled the waves in Margaret River, with many South West locals dominating the entry pool, but it was a 15-year old from the Mid West who emerged on top in his category. In the grand final, the reigning State champion took a 4.17-point win over Zenn Hammond to claim round one of the three-round championship. He notched up an impressive score of 17.00 — the equal highest score of the weekend, with only Hammond matching him in the previous round. “It feels so good and I’m so excited. I’ve worked so hard for this,” MacDonald said. Part of his preparation, aside from frequently hitting the waves, involved a lot of on-land work including mobility and flexibility work, as well as some mindset work with Mid West Academy of Sport coach Dee Wilson. In a field of 22 surfers, MacDonald dominated the first round and mastered the conditions to score 15.50 points — 9.66 points better than the second placed finisher in his heat. He then went on to top his heat again in the quarterfinals with a brilliant performance to bring up 13.53 points. The semifinal was no different, as the MWAS product rode the waves with class and power to qualify for the grand final with 15.16 points. MacDonald said he leaned on the advice of a Margaret River local and respected surfing judge and coach before he tackled the iconic waves of Surfers Point. “I was getting coached by one of the locals there, Mike McAuliffe. He definitely gave me some tip and tricks to go out there and perform,” he said. “But I feel like it was more like the waves really did come for me and I got to show what I can really do on those waves.” MacDonald turns his focus to round two of the junior State titles, sitting in first place. He heads to Trigg Beach in Perth in mid-June then home to Flat Rocks in Geraldton for the final round in late July. “I usually do pretty good there, and I won there last year, so I definitely feel really comfortable surfing that spot,” he said. Should MacDonald finish top five in WA, he will head back down to Margaret River to contest the national title.