The 20th edition of Taj’s Small Fries, presented by Board.Store, delivered a spectacular celebration of junior surfing, as ideal summer conditions transformed Yallingup’s legendary coastline into the ultimate playground for young surfers. The event, which kicked off with the largest opening ceremony in the competition’s history, set the tone for a day of high-performance action. Clean 2-4 foot waves rolled in throughout the day at Shallows, offering perfect conditions for the young surfers to showcase their skills, while the lively atmosphere on the sun-soaked shores of Yallingup brought together the local community and surf enthusiasts.
The Under-16 Boys division kicked off the action, with competitors from across Australasia highlighting the wealth of talent in the region. The surfers demonstrated impressive maneuvers, tube rides, and Taj Burrow-inspired performances, making for an exciting and dynamic morning.
Local surfer Cruz Uros (Dunsborough, WA) emerged as the standout performer in this division, using his extensive knowledge of the area to dominate the lineup. Uros posted a combined two-wave total of 15.33 (out of a possible 20) and expressed his excitement about competing in his hometown.
“It’s always great to start a big event like this with a win,” Uros said. “I love the Small Fries, and it’s amazing to see so many surfers here this year. I’m looking forward to the swell forecasted for the coming days.”
Other competitors like Brody Mulik (Margaret River, WA), Hunter Sutcliffe (Manly, NSW), Joey Silk (Crescent Head, NSW), Kato Magi (Belmont, VIC), Rio Luther Barr (Bundagen, NSW), Sam Sparks (Kiama, NSW), Cruz Macdonald (Geraldton, WA), and Ashton Mekisic (Wollongong, NSW) all impressed in the clean early morning conditions, adding to the excitement of the day.
The Under-16 Girls division maintained the high standard of surfing, with each heat delivering thrilling performances. The surfers capitalized on the excellent conditions, pulling off big moves and showcasing their impressive skills.
Defending champion Lucy Darragh (Gerringong, NSW) kicked off her title defense with a strong performance, posting a combined score of 14.70 (out of a possible 20). Her victory sent a clear message to her opponents that she’s a force to be reckoned with.
“I love it here in Yallingup, and last year’s win is still fresh in my mind,” Darragh said. “The waves, the scenery, the people—it’s a really special place.”
Later in the day, the Under-12 Boys and Girls divisions took to the water, providing a glimpse into the future of Australian surfing. In the afternoon conditions, young surfers like Flynn Swierczewski (Coolangatta, QLD), Gabriel Kenchington (Tallebudgera, QLD), Raff Morris (Sorrento, VIC), and Levi Lowe (Byron Bay, NSW) displayed remarkable skill and maturity, securing wins in their round-one heats.
In the Under-12 Girls division, Luna Thomas (Margaret River, WA) and Kobi Lana Partridge (Marcus Beach, QLD) emerged as the first event finalists, dominating their heats with impressive surfing and determination.
Over the years, Taj’s Small Fries has played a key role in shaping the careers of many of Australia’s top surfers, including local talent like Felicity Palmateer, Jack Robinson, Bronte Macaulay, and Jacob Willcox. Burrow expressed his excitement for the future, eager to witness the rise of the next generation of surfing stars.
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