GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND (Thursday, November 21, 2024) – Queensland’s top junior surfers are preparing to compete at the Australian Junior Surfing Titles, which will take place in Wollongong, NSW, from November 24 to December 1. The team of 41 surfers is looking to secure their third consecutive championship after winning in both 2022 and 2023.
Since the launch of the Surfing Queensland Academy (SQA), Queensland’s junior surfers have achieved remarkable success. In 2022, the team won with the largest margin in 22 years and followed up with another victory in 2023.
This year, the team is well-prepared thanks to the SQA training program. They will compete across five divisions for both male and female surfers: Under 14, Under 16, Under 18, MR Junior, and MR Senior.
The Queensland team will benefit from the mentorship of professional surfer Oscar Berry. Recently crowned champion at the Siargao International Surfing Cup World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 5000, Berry will share his expertise with the junior surfers, offering them a valuable learning opportunity.
Team Manager Kylie Bilsen and coaches Jade Wheatley and Kurt Barrow will provide additional support and guidance. Their extensive experience will be crucial in preparing the team for competition.
Landen Smales, a back-to-back Queensland State Champion in the Under 18 division, aims to add another title to his collection. In 2023, Smales won five Australian Titles across both shortboard and longboard divisions at various championships while helping the Queensland Team achieve victory.
Other notable competitors representing Queensland include Mitchell Peterson (U18 boys), Ziggy Mackenzie (U18 girls), Jesse Fergusson (U16 boys), Meika Locke (U16 girls), Luca Martin (U14 boys), and Navah Holmes (U14 girls).
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