The waves at Thirroul Beach are alive with ambition and raw talent as the 2025 Australian Junior Surfing Titles officially commenced on Saturday. This prestigious week-long event has drawn the country's most promising young surfers, with competitors ranging from the under-14s all the way to the under-19s divisions.
Pinnacle Event for Australia's Next Surfing Stars
A cornerstone of the Australian surfing calendar, this competition is a critical stepping stone for junior athletes. A first-place finish in any category earns a surfer 12,000 valuable points. The stakes are even higher for the under-16 and under-18 junior men and women, where the winners will secure a coveted position on the Irukanjis team for the ISA World Junior Championships.
Surfing Australia's contest director, Glen Elliott, expressed his excitement about the strong start to the event. "It's great to kick off the competition window on a strong note," Elliott said. "Thirroul has served up super fun. The standard has already been very high. It's the cream of the crop of Australian junior surfers here."
Opening Rounds Deliver Impressive Performances
Competitors were greeted with ideal conditions on the first day, enjoying clean two-foot runners throughout Saturday's opening rounds. The action was fierce across all divisions, with several surfers immediately making their mark.
In the Under-18 Men's category, standout performances came from Jesse Fergusson (Sunshine Beach, QLD), Lachlan Arghyros (Kingscliff, NSW), Jai Nield (Snapper Rocks, QLD), Jake Scott (Yallingup, WA), and Okie Fraser (Margaret River, WA), who all won their heats convincingly.
The Under-18 Women's division was equally impressive, with heat wins from surfers like Alice Hogson (Kiama Downs, NSW), Ava Arghyros (Kingscliff, NSW), Sophie Wilkinson (Shoreham, VIC), Ruby Trew (Narrabeen, NSW), Poppy O'Reilly (Sydney, NSW), and Anna Huppatz (Bilinga, QLD).
Rising Stars and Salty Crew Wave of the Day
As the Under-16s took to the water, Hemi O'Brien from Palm Beach, Queensland, quickly became a talking point. O'Brien secured the Salty Crew Wave of the Day honour after posting an excellent 7.50-point ride in heat five of the men's opening round, which also earned him the heat win.
Reflecting on his successful ride, O'Brien shared his strategy: "My coach told me not to go for the small waves, which is usually my habit, so I waited for the bigger sets. A perfect right-hander came my way, I scored a 7.5 for a fast forehand carve and finished it off with a sharp snap on the end section." He added with a hint of caution, "My board's feeling great, but since I didn't bring a spare, I'll stick to rail surfing when I can."
With the seeding rounds now setting the stage, another five days of intense competition lie ahead at Thirroul Beach. The event promises to deliver thrilling performances, fierce rivalries, and unforgettable moments as these young athletes vie for the honour of being crowned national champions, with finals scheduled for Thursday and Friday next week.
