Surfers enjoy good conditions as Jake Hagan finishes under-21 runner-up at state championships

Jake Hagen finished under-21 runner-up at the West Coast Suspensions Surf Masters at Gracetown to continue his impressive form from last year.

Eleven state champions were crowned over an action-packed three days of surfing in the South West, with big swells providing for some big waves.

It was on for young and old as the championships brought together some of WA’s best surfers including former World Surf League Championship Tour competitors, rising junior stars, as well past state, and national champions, in a display of the depth of WA’s surfing talent.

Hagan was competing in the blue ribbon open men’s division and the under-21 Pro Junior category.

He was not expected to come through the open division and struggled initially, finishing bottom of his first heat before rebounding with 11.20 from just three waves to progress through to the quarter-finals.

Despite getting the sixth-highest score across all quarter-finals Hagan was, unfortunately, part of a strong group and finished bottom of his heat with 10.80 to miss out on a final eight chance.

Hagan was a stronger chance in the under-21 divisions and finished second with 11.35 in heat one behind Jack Mitchell (13.00) to progress to the semi-final.

There he finished top, pulling out a 6.30 on his final wave.

However, there was no catching Macklin Flynn who started with 14.50 in his first heat and only got better, taking the title with a 15.15 - including an 8.15 - with Hagan a comfortable second on 11.40.

It is still a good return for Hagan in his return from injury in what was his first Surfing WA event since round three of the junior titles in July last year.

Veteran Michael Molloy took to the waves in the over-65 category, taking fourth place with a 13.25 from his combined finals scores.