Six champions were crowned today at the YETI Australian Junior Surfing Titles, showcasing exceptional talent and skill. The women’s Under 18 final featured an impressive aerial display, while Samuel Lowe claimed the Men’s title, mirroring the achievement of his father 30 years ago.
Contest Director Jeremy Barnett commended the outstanding performances, stating, “The heat between Isla Huppatz and Milla Brown was the best finish to an Australian Titles ever. The conditions were perfect with three-to-four foot waves, allowing every competitor a fair chance to win. I congratulate all the competitors and states for putting on such a wonderful spectacle. Our region is grateful for that.”
U18 Men’s Final: Samuel Lowe Follows in His Father’s Footsteps
Samuel Lowe from Thirroul, NSW, whose father Mick Lowe is a former WSL surfer and the 1994 Australian Junior Champion, achieved the highest heat total of the day with a score of 17.55 out of 20. He secured his victory with two excellent scores, including a remarkable 9.30.
“I can’t believe it. That was probably the best day of my life,” Lowe expressed after his win. “The last couple of years have been a rollercoaster for me. I’ve had some good results but also faced early exits. This year has been particularly challenging due to injuries. I was out for three months at the start of the year and then hurt my knee, missing several competitions. The hard work I put in is finally paying off, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Lowe described the moment he realized he had won: “It didn’t really hit me until Fletcher came over with one minute to go. I knew I had a big score on that wave but thought he could still catch up. When he told me he was in combo and gave me a high five, that’s when it really sunk in. A huge shout-out to Fletcher; he’s been pushing me since we were 12 years old. I can’t remember a year when he hasn’t stood out.”
The event continues tomorrow with more exciting heats scheduled for the Under 18 Boys and Girls divisions. Similar favorable conditions are expected as over 250 competitors compete for top honors over seven days.
Looking Ahead
The YETI Australian Junior Surfing Titles feature individual divisions from U14 to U18 and include a school surfing category (MR Shield) for U16-U19 competitors. Champions in the U16 and U18 divisions will earn spots on the Irukandjis Team for the 2025 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.
The winners join an illustrious list of past champions that includes surfing legends like Stephanie Gilmore, Molly Picklum, Sally Fitzgibbons, Joel Parkinson, and Mick Fanning.
Fans can catch all the finals action live on Surfing Australia’s YouTube channel on November 30 and December 1.
Related topics:
