Cedar Takes Out A 1st At 2018 Surf Dive ‘N Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles
Cedar Leigh-Jones, 1st! - photo by Blainey Woodham / Surfing Australia / Nikon Australia
Margo And Molly Crowned Champions On Finals Day At The 2018 Surf Dive ‘N Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles
WAITPINGA/SOUTH AUSTRALIA
December 7th, 2018
by Blainey Woodham, Surfing Australia
Waitpinga Beach turned it on for the last day of the 2018 Surf Dive ‘n Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles in South Australia today. Organisers rolled the dice on holding off running the Under 18’s Finals and the gamble paid off this morning with 2-3ft offshore walls making the perfect canvas for some first class surfing.
New South Wales duo Micah Margieson and Molly Picklum were crowned Under 18 Boys and Girls Surf Dive ‘n Ski Australian Junior Surfing Champions in clean head high left-hand waves in what were two hotly contested and highly entertaining finals.
In the boys final, Margieson got off to a quick start with a 6.50 point ride (out of a possible 10 points) in the first thirty seconds. He then waited until the last five minutes to put the nail in the coffin with one of the more memorable finishes to the division in years.
Wave selection was critical and young ‘Margo’ was first class, smashing a perfect set wave to pieces from the top to bottom of the bank, posting a near-perfect 9.65 point ride (out of a possible 10 points), sending the New South Wales team on the beach into raptures as he took the win.
Picklum’s surfing was of such a high standard in the Under 18 Girls Final she threw away an 8 point ride by the time the hooter rang. A single world-class backhand turn scoring her 8.25 points (out of a possible 10 points), putting an exclamation mark on just how good the North Shelly junior is.
All remaining School Sport Australia divisions were run and won in excellent conditions with full results available HERE - www.australianjuniorsurfingtitles.com
New South Wales won overall team honours for the event whilst Molly Picklum and Hughie Vaughan won the Isabel Letham and Duke Kahanamoku Awards for best overall individual performances at the event.
Under 18 Boys Final
1. Micah Margieson 17.65 points
2. Jamie Thomson 13.60 points
3. Harry Phillips 11.40 points
4. Xavier Huxtable 10.55 points
Under 18 Girls Final
1. Molly Picklum 17.25 points
2. Holly Williams 12.95 points
3. Tru Starling 11.55 points
4. Arabella Wilson 10.00 points
With a joint National Titles encompassing Individual (Under 14, 16 and 18 age groups) and Australian School Surfing Association (Allstars and MR Shield) disciplines in both boys and girl’s divisions, the event is considered the benchmark of junior surfing in the country.
With past winners including World Champions Steph Gilmore, Chelsea Hedges, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Mark Richards, Tom Carroll and Damian Hardman, a win in this year’s event is a legitimate stepping stone to world stage glory.
The 2018 Surf Dive ‘n Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles are proudly supported by City of Victor Harbor, Woolworths, 2XP Sunscreen, Hydralyte Sports, Air Asia, Hyundai, Hurley, School Sport Australia, Sport Australia, Surfing South Australia, School Sport South Australia, Surfing Australia and mySURFtv.
The Surf Dive n Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles features the Australian Junior Titles and the Australian School Surfing Titles.
Jamie Thomson - photo by Blainey Woodham / Surfing Australia / Nikon Australia
First Champions Crowned On Day Five Of The 2018 Surf Dive ‘N Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles In South Oz
WAITPINGA/SOUTH AUSTRALIA
December 6th, 2018
by Blainey Woodham, Surfing Australia
It was all about the Under 14’s and 16’s divisions today at Waitpinga Beach with South Australia again providing excellent conditions with 1-2ft mechanical left-handers peeling through the line-up for the majority of the day.
The Under 16’s Boys and Girls finals were high quality affairs with all eight finalists showing why they are Australia’s best. Joel Vaughan put on a clinical display in the boys final whilst Cedar Leigh-Jones won a tight battle, overcoming Ellia Smith by .05 of a point in a classic back and forth tussle.
New Under 14 Boys and Girls Surf Dive ‘n Ski Australian Junior Surfing Champions were crowned with Hugh Vaughan (NSW) and Ellie Harrison (VIC) taking home bragging rights.
The Under 14 Girls final was the highlight of the day with Harrison and Zali Hewson (WA) going wave for wave with rides in the excellent range and both competitors ending the heat with 18 point heat totals.
Under 16 Allstars Girls and Under 19 Allstars Boys champions were also crowned on day six with NSW taking bragging rights in the 16 Girls and Under 16 Boys Final.
Results:
Under 16 Boys Final
1 Joel Vaughan NSW 15.90
2 Mike Clayton-Brown NSW 14.75
3 Zeb Stokes QLD 12.15
4 Jai Glindeman NSW 11.35
Under 16 Girls Final
1 Cedar Leigh-Jones NSW 15.25
2 Ellia Smith QLD 15.10
3 Sage Goldsbury VIC 14.25
4 Charli Hurst NSW 11.95
Under 14 Boys Final
1 Hugh Vaughan NSW 14.75
2 Dembe Ryan NSW 11.80
3 Dane Henry NSW 11.55
4 Otis North WA 10.00
Under 14 Girls Final
1 Ellie Harrison VIC 18.15
2 Zali Hewson WA 18.10
3 Oceanna Rogers NSW 11.90
4 Rosie Smart NSW 11.40
The event is set to wrap up tomorrow with the remainder of the age divisions finals to be decided along with all School Sport Divisions.
For full results, images and video highlights go to www.australianjuniorsurfingtitles.com
With a joint National Titles encompassing Individual (Under 14, 16 and 18 age groups) and Australian School Surfing Association (Allstars and MR Shield) disciplines in both boys and girl’s divisions, the event is considered the benchmark of junior surfing in the country.
With past winners including World Champions Steph Gilmore, Chelsea Hedges, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Mark Richards, Tom Carroll and Damian Hardman, a win in this year’s event is a legitimate stepping stone to world stage glory.
The 2018 Surf Dive ‘n Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles are proudly supported by City of Victor Harbor, Woolworths, 2XP Sunscreen, Hydralyte Sports, Air Asia, Hyundai, Hurley, School Sport Australia, Sport Australia, Surfing South Australia, School Sport South Australia, Surfing Australia and mySURFtv.
The Surf Dive n Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles features the Australian Junior Titles and the Australian School Surfing Titles.
First Finalists Decided At The 2018 Surf Dive ‘N Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles In South Oz
WAITPINGA/SOUTH AUSTRALIA
December 5th, 2018
by Blainey Woodham, Surfing Australia
The call to move The 2018 Surf Dive ‘n Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles to Waitpinga for day four of competition proved a masterstroke for organisers as finalists were decided in pumping 3-4ft waves and offshore winds.
In the Under 18 Boys it was the in form Jamie Thompson (NSW) top-scoring with a 15.50 point heat total (out of a possible 20 points). He joins Harry Phillips (NSW), Xavier Huxtable (VIC) and Micah Margieson (NSW) in what should be an epic final.
The Girls Under 18 Final and Under 16 division semi-finals were decided with New South Wales style master Molly Picklum (14.75 points) a standout in the 18’s while in the 16’s Queenslander Isabella Caldow (14.25 points) stamped her authority in the quarter-finals.
In the Under 16 Boys, Joel Vaughan (NSW) and Mike Clayton-Brown (NSW) top scored with 15.15 and 13.35 point semi-final totals respectively to earn the favourites tag heading into their final.
The Under 16 Girls semi-finals will run in the coming days along with Under 14 Girls and Boys finals from the quarters.
Upcoming Finals
Under 18 Boys Final
Jamie Thomson NSW
Xavier Huxtable VIC
Harry Phillips NSW
Micah Margieson NSW
Under 18 Girls Final
Arabella Wilson VIC
Holly Williams QLD
Molly Picklum NSW
Tru Starling NSW
Under 16 Boys Final
Joel Vaughan NSW
Mike Clayton-Brown NSW
Jai Glindeman NSW
Zeb Stokes QLD
For full results, images and video highlights go to www.australianjuniorsurfingtitles.com
With a joint National Titles encompassing Individual (Under 14, 16 and 18 age groups) and Australian School Surfing Association (Allstars and MR Shield) disciplines in both boys and girl’s divisions, the event is considered the benchmark of junior surfing in the country.
With past winners including World Champions Steph Gilmore, Chelsea Hedges, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Mark Richards, Tom Carroll and Damian Hardman, a win in this year’s event is a legitimate stepping stone to world stage glory.
The 2018 Surf Dive ‘n Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles are proudly supported by City of Victor Harbor, Woolworths, 2XP Sunscreen, Hydralyte Sports, Air Asia, Hyundai, Hurley, School Sport Australia, Sport Australia, Surfing South Australia, School Sport South Australia, Surfing Australia and mySURFtv.
Schedule:
The Surf Dive n Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles features the Australian Junior Titles and the Australian School Surfing Titles. The key dates for the event are:
Sunday 2nd – Saturday 8th December, 2018:
Contest period for both the Australian Junior Titles and Australian School Surfing Titles (Competitors in all divisions are required to be in the Fleurieu Peninsula region for the duration of the contest period)
Tuesday 4th December – Saturday 8th December, 2018: Contest period for the Under 14’s Boys and Girls Australian Junior Titles divisions.
Saturday 8th December, 2018: Event Presentation
Under 14 Divisions Raise The Bar At The 2018 Surf Dive ‘N Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles In South Oz
MIDDLETON BAY/SOUTH AUSTRALIA
December 4th, 2018
by Blainey Woodham, Surfing Australia
The Under 14 Girls and Boys divisions put on a mini masterclass today at the 2018 Surf Dive ‘n Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles at Middleton Bay in South Australia.
Headlined by a perfect 10 point ride from Under 14 Girls Queensland competitor Lilliana Bowrey, round one was a high-quality affair.
Bowrey, after posting a 7 point single wave score (out of a possible 20 points) in the first couple of minutes of her heat had the freedom to go looking for something special. The young Queenslander took off on a right-hander on her backhand and proceeded to tee off all the way to the beach, throwing her fins out on one manoeuvre whilst maximising every single inch of the ride.
“I am actually speechless because this is my first ten and to get it at the Surf Dive ‘n Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles, it just means so much,” said Bowrey.
On the boy’s side of the Under 14’s draw, it was Nate Hopkins who almost emulated Bowrey on a left-hand set wave. The New South Welshmen showed a great combination of speed, power and flow to impress the judges enough for a 9.5 point single wave total. Hopkins went on to post a 17 point heat total (out of a possible 20 points), sending a warning shot to his fellow competitors.
Other standouts in round one included New South Wales team-mates Hugh Vaughan (13.75 points) and Xavier Bryce (14.05 points) and Western Australian duo Zali Hewson (13.25 points) and Willow Hardy (12.75 points).
The day wrapped up with School Sport Australia requalification rounds in the MR Shield divisions with finals set to run in the coming days.With the swell forecast to ease off slowly into tomorrow afternoon, there is the possibility of a location change to Waitpinga Beach for the next few days of competition.
For full results, images and video highlights go to www.australianjuniorsurfingtitles.com
First Elimination Rounds Hit The Water On Day Two Of The 2018 Surf Dive ‘N Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles In South Oz
MIDDLETON BAY/SOUTH AUSTRALIA
December 3rd, 2018
by Blainey Woodham, Surfing Australia
The first elimination rounds headlined day two at the Surf Dive ‘n Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles in 3-4ft surf at Middleton Bay today.
In the Under 18 Boys knock out round, Victorians Xavier Huxtable and Chad Garrett stood out in the solid conditions. Huxtable used superior wave selection to post the highest heat total of the round with 14.85 points (out of a possible 20 points), racking up an 8.5 point single wave score after linking up the outside bank all the way through to the rocks, delivering a handful of well-timed turns in the pocket.
Taj Simon was a standout in the Under 16 Boys requalification round, posting a 12.20 point heat total (out of a possible 20 points).
In the Under 18 Girls requalification round it was Queensland’s Piper Harrison and Western Australia’s April McPherson who impressed the judges with 11.25 and 10.80 point heat totals respectively.
Carly Shanahan well and truly put herself back in the minds of her fellow competitors after posting a round high heat total of 14.75 points (out of a possible 20 points) in the Under 16 Girls requalification round.
School Sports Australia Allstars and MR Shield divisions also hit the water on day two with Under 16 Girls Allstars, Under 19 MR Shield and Under 16 MR Shield boys and girls round one completed. Victoria top scored in round one of the Under 19 Allstars boys division while Queensland took top honours in the girls Under 19 Allstars.
Surf Dive ‘N Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles 2018: Some Of The Action
Sophia Fulton- photo by Blainey Woodham / Surfing Australia / Nikon Australia
Nate Hopkins- photo by Blainey Woodham / Surfing Australia / Nikon Australia
Sage Goldsbury- photo by Blainey Woodham / Surfing Australia / Nikon Australia
Van Whiteman - - photo by Blainey Woodham / Surfing Australia / Nikon Australia
Rosie Smart - photo by Blainey Woodham / Surfing Australia / Nikon Australia
Harry Phillips - photo by Blainey Woodham / Surfing Australia / Nikon Australia
Willow Hardy - photo by Blainey Woodham / Surfing Australia / Nikon Australia
Jarvis Earle - photo by Blainey Woodham / Surfing Australia / Nikon Australia
Lily Macdonald- photo by Blainey Woodham / Surfing Australia / Nikon Australia
Joel Vaughan- photo by Blainey Woodham / Surfing Australia / Nikon Australia
