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Mandurah’s Maverick takes out Taj’s Small Fries

Vanessa SchmittMandurah Coastal Times

MANDURAH surfer Maverick Wilson was among seven new champions to have his name etched into Taj’s Small Fries prestigious honour roll.

Wilson took the honour after an exciting finish to WA’s biggest junior surfing event in Yallingup last weekend.

The second stop of the Billabong Bloodlines Series was held in event host Taj Burrow’s front yard, with finalists ripping into one-metre wind-affected peaks at the ever-reliable back-up spot Shallows.

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Wilson, Cruz Sheridan (Margaret River), Remy North (Yallingup) and Jerry Kelly (Barwon Heads, Victoria) had the beach hooting and hollering with their mature and innovative approach in the 10-and-under mixed division, which was a new addition to the competition this year.

When the siren sounded, Wilson came out on top, finishing on a two-wave combined total of 15.40 from a possible 20.

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Wilson threw down rail-grab cutbacks, big fin ditches and massive forehand carves to win his first Small Fries event.

“I’ve had the best time at Small Fries; the waves have been really fun and I’m stoked to win the newest division[Janice Teo] in the event,” he said.

Another Mandurah surfer, April McPherson, finished second in the 16-and-under girls competition.

Burrows was on hand to support and commentate all the afternoon finals and the 19-year world tour veteran was blown away by the standard of surfing on display over three days.

“We’ve had such a wide range of conditions that these guys and girls have definitely earned their spot into today’s finals,” he said.

“I couldn’t be happier with how the event has gone; it seems to get better and better every year and I’m stoked to be here to see the groms tear into their finals.”

Burrows said the 16-and-under girls division was a great look into the future of female surfing in WA, with all four finalists showing they’ve got what it takes to make the professional ranks.