The future of Australian surfing shone brightly on the final day of the Australian Junior Surfing Titles, with perfect waves and historic performances defining the championship decider in Wollongong.
Ideal Conditions Set the Stage for Thrilling Finals
Finals day on Friday, December 6, 2025, saw the nation's most talented young surfers battle for national glory under ideal conditions. Thirroul's McCauley's Beach delivered clean, consistent three-foot waves throughout the day, powered by a spike in north-easterly swell and groomed by offshore north-westerly winds. This perfect setup provided an incredible stage for the thrilling conclusion to a week-long celebration of junior surfing talent.
New National Champions Crowned Across Divisions
The competition was fierce across all age divisions, with several heats going down to the wire. In one of the closest battles of the day, Dee Why surfer Ben Zanatta emerged victorious in the under-18 men's final, defeating Gold Coast competitor Will Martin. This significant win secures Zanatta a coveted spot on the Australian National Surfing Team, the Irukandjis, and qualification for the 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championships.
Joining him on the national team will be Sunshine Coast surfer Stella Green, who claimed the under-18 women's title. The under-16 champions were also decided, with Ashton Crowley from Lennox Head winning the boys' division and Talia Tebb from Kincumber taking out the girls' crown.
In the younger divisions, Lennox Lindsay (Kulburra) was crowned the under-14 boys' champion, while Navah Holmes from Currumbin won the under-14 girls' title. All these exceptional young athletes have earned the right to wear the green and gold as part of the Irukandjis squad at next year's world championships.
Joining the Ranks of Australian Surfing Royalty
Surfing Australia contest director Glen Elliott was full of praise for the event, the athletes, and the conditions. He highlighted that the new champions now join an elite list of Australian surfing legends who also triumphed at junior national titles, including world champions like Stephanie Gilmore, Molly Picklum, Mick Fanning, and Owen Wright.
"An amazing finish to an incredible event!" Elliott said. "The athletes, teams, managers, and coaches have all been extremely professional throughout the week. We've had four different locations, and I couldn't ask for a better way to wrap up the 2025 Australian Junior Surfing Titles. McCauley's Beach is absolutely pumping for day seven."
He commended the high standard of surfing displayed by the semi-finalists and finalists, noting they met every performance measure the judges were seeking. The day was marked by plenty of high scores and outstanding manoeuvres, showcasing the incredible depth of talent in Australian junior surfing.
Elliott extended his sincere thanks to all participants and organisers for delivering an unforgettable conclusion to the national titles, cementing Wollongong's reputation as a premier destination for world-class surfing competition.
