Geraldton locals vying for spot on State surfing team during top West Aussie junior surf competition

Local riders will have the chance to carve their way on to the State surfing team alongside a World Surf League rider this weekend as the top West Aussie junior surf comp comes to town.

The WA Junior Surf Titles ran today and is on again tomorrow, with championship titles still up for grabs in the under-16 girls’, under-14 boys’, under-14 girls’ and under-12 micro-groms’ divisions.

“Excitement is building ahead of the all-important third and final event,” Surfing WA events manager Justin Majeks said.

“The weekend forecast is looking excellent, with a good groundswell and clean offshore winds forecast for both days.

“Geraldton is a great location at this time of year.

“We’re very much looking forward to crowning our remaining State junior champions, and I’m excited to see how much the kids have sharpened their skills over the school holidays.”

Jake Hagan, Edel Rodden and Cruz MacDonald will be among the locals hoping to beat the best West Aussie grommets aged nine to 17 for a spot on the State team.

A spot on the WA side would mean competing in Queensland this year alongside riders like Willow Hardy. The 14-year-old, a daughter of surfing and bodyboarding legend Gene, who pioneered the punishing South Western slab known as “the Box” with his brothers surfed as a wild card against seven-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore and four-time winner Carissa Moore at the WSL’s Margaret River Pro this year.

Hardy has already wrapped up the under-18 girls’ division, while George Simpson from Gracetown is under-18 boys’ champion and Yallingup’s Otis Carey has the under-16 boys’ title.

Scores and live streams will be on Surfing WA’s website.