Former Trigg local and 2013 Junior State Champion Josh Cattlin took out the under 14s division, earning an all-expenses paid, three-day surf camp at the Hurley Australia High Performance Centre.
Cattlin said he was looking forward to the surf camp after edging out Margaret River’s Ben Spence by less than half a point in a seesawing battle.
‘The HPC is such an amazing place, it has helped my surfing heaps and I really look forward to getting back over there once again,’ Cattlin said.
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READ NOWApril McPherson from Mandurah won the under 14s girls division with a combined score of 14.50 to win comfortably over southwest trio Annabelle Jones, India Willcox and Emma Cattlin.
McPherson said she was over the moon with her efforts in the competition and would take that confidence to her first Australian Junior Titles event in Kiama, New South Wales next week.
“I’m looking forward to attending the Aussie Titles and now to be going to the HPC too, I can’t believe it,’ McPherson said.
The U12 boys division was more closely contested with Margaret River boy Jedd Gradisen displaying solid skills to claim a gutsy win ahead a group of exciting young surfers.
All four finalists battled through the afternoon waves, but a final 8.67 ride from Gradisen catapulted him into first ahead of a determined Seth Van Haeften in second.
Palmyra’s Dexter Payenberg dominated the under 10s boys group, posting big scores on his way to a narrow win ahead of Margaret River’s Daniel Benedetti.
Surfing WA high performance coach and event commentator Mark Clift said he was pleased with the competition.
“This is a great event, and a bunch of fun for the little ones. Combined with Surfing Australia’s Surf Groms program it is a great feeder system for WA’s future surfing stars,’ Mr Clift said.