WA's young surfing stars put on a show over the weekend, with five champions crowned at the final event of the WA Junior Titles.
Surfers from around the state made the most of sensational conditions at Flat Rocks, with 3 to 4ft surf providing a challenge for 80 competitors aged 8-17 years.
Margaret River’s Jack Haslau captured his maiden State Championship in the U18 Junior division, adding his name to the honour roll of past winners that includes; Jacob Willcox, Creed McTaggart, and Jack Robinson.
Using the powerful waves to his advantage, Haslau put on a one-man demolition derby in a high scoring and entertaining Under 18’s final.
Using his razor sharp backhand attack, Haslau dropped two excellent scores to amass a combined total of 17.37 (from a possible 20), to claim his second victory of the series after also winning at Trigg last month.
Haslau was constantly challenged for the win by Ben Gradisen (Gracetown), Josh Cattlin (Yallingup) and Jolan Bonelli (Margaret River).
“I’m so stoked to come away with the win and the State Title,” Haslau said. “I didn’t really expect it but I’m stoked to be standing here. I loved competing at the Aussie Titles and I can’t wait to get back there in 2017.”
Carnarvon’s Coral Durant won the Under 18 Junior Girl’s final with a combined total of 14.84. Durant used her competition form to edge out Pemba Spargo (Albany), Arabelle Gibson (Margaret River) and Emma Cattlin (Yallingup).
“I haven’t surf at Flat Rocks that much, but it’s really good to be back competing over a reef break with some power,” Durant said.
Despite the fourth place finish, Emma Cattlin claimed the U18 Championship, after dominating events in Margaret River and Trigg Beach.
In other results from the weekend, Emma Cattlin (Yallingup) proved she’s a force to be reckoned with at the National Titles, clean sweeping the Under 16 Cadet Girls division with her third straight victory in the series. Cattlin scored the events only perfect 10-point ride used her powerful and precise backhand repertoire to dispose of Coral Durant (Carnarvon), Maddie Cawood (Margaret River) and Holly Minter (Albany).
“I’m over the moon right now, I can’t even describe it, its like a dream come true,” Cattlin said. “I’ve been working hard this year and the National Titles is a challenge I’m really looking forward to.”
Forecast: Wednesday has a massive 6m swell on the way with NW winds, the large 4.5m swell holds into Thursday with similar conditions on Friday but smaller 2.9m swell. The weekend brings onshore SW to W winds and a 2m plus swell.
Hotspot: Castle Rock on Wednesday.
