South West surfers dominate at Trigg in State Junior Surfing Titles second round

Capes surfers nearly completed a clean sweep at the weekend’s second round of the WA Junior Surfing Titles at Trigg Beach.

With the winners accruing valuable points, it was looking more and more likely the State team travelling to the national titles in Wollongong, NSW, later this year would be packed with Margaret River, Dunsborough and Yallingup talent.

Ruby Berry and Okie Fraser claimed the girls and boys under-18 titles with relative ease, while Margaret River’s Olive Hardy was a stand-out in the under-16 girls final that was a Capes-only affair.

Hardy bested Dunsborough duo Poppy Reman and Rosie Gillet, as well as Gracetown junior Mia Jacobs, in the final.

Meanwhile, Margaret River’s Brody Mulik edged out Cowaramup’s Ace Flynn in the under-16 boys.

It wasn’t much different in the under-14 divisions.

Ily Fraser claimed the win for the girls and a State championship based on points, while Cowaramup snapper Ethan Anderson bested the other juniors in the grom boys competition.

The only non-South West surfer on the podium was Eglinton’s Summer Barkhuizen in the micro-grom girls category — also picking up a State championship — while Dunsborough’s Ollie Holmes brought it home for the boys.

Fraser was singled out for the Creatures of Leisure Little Legend Award for the highest score of the event, a 9.07 out of 10, in the blue ribbon under-18 final.

“The waves were pumping today and it was nice to get some long running rights here in Perth,” Fraser said.

“Generally, it’s been small for this event so I was happy to have some good waves and take the win.”

Former Queen of the Point Berry benefited from past contests at Trigg.

“The waves were really fun today and I’m stoked to get the win,” she said.

“This is my last year in the juniors and I hope to get the State title this year.”

Surfing WA events manager Justin Majeks said clean and consistent four-foot waves helped provide an “epic conclusion” to three days of surfing contested by more than 100 junior athletes.

“Well done to Ily and Summer for their wins, and there’s a lot still to play out when we head up to Geraldton in July,” Majeks said.

“Six State titles are still up for grabs and plenty of positions into the State team.”