The Sunshine Coast’s reputation as a surfing hub has been exemplified with three juniors claiming state titles.
Talented youngsters Coco Cairns, Zeb Stokes and Jahly Stokes became Queensland champions for their age groups, after the two-event series.
Participants competed at Coolum in June, before hitting the waves at Tallebudgera Beach on the Gold Coast.
Tewantin’s Coco won at both locations to seal the under-18 girls crown.
She won the final at the Gold Coast with a score of 10.60, edging Currumbin Waters’ Charlotte Mulley (9.80).
“The waves started to drop off a little in the final, so it made things more difficult,” Coco said.
“(But) I’m so excited to have won both the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast events.”
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Buddina’s Zeb won the under-18 boys section, scoring 15.20 in the final to beat Palm Beach’s Ty Richardson (14.43).
“I knew if I stuck to my strategy and surfed to my ability, I was a good chance of winning. So happy with the win,” he said.
Zeb’s sister Jahly emerged victorious in the under-16 girls division, after she claimed second place on the Gold Coast.
Her score of 15.80 almost eclipsed the effort of Currumbin Waters’ Jordy Halford (16.03).
A host of Sunshine Coast surfers were selected in the state team (see below) and their efforts follow that of the region’s youngest surfers, who impressed in the recent Queensland Grommet Titles.
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Meanwhile, Sunshine Coast clubs impressed in the Queensland leg of the Australian Boardriders Battle, which was also at Tallebudgera Beach.
North Shore Boardriders, the 2020 national champions, finished second with 32.43 points, behind renowned Gold Coast club Snapper Rocks (32.77), while Kawana finished fourth (22.99), behind Burleigh Heads (30.16).
The four teams qualified for the national final.
Locations and dates for the Australian junior titles and Australian Boardriders Battle final are yet to be announced.
Queensland junior team
- U16 Girls: Jahly Stokes, Riley Du Preez, Jordy Halford, Gisele Sinclair, Jorja Foster, Urara Saito.
- U16 Boys: Rico Haybittle, Tom Whitpaine, Ashton Pignat, Zyah Hession, Sam Griffiths, Jack Fisher-Neilens.
- U18 Girls: Coco Cairns, Lilliana Bowery, Charlotte Mulley, Layne Baldock, Tahlia Henderson, Layla O’Heir.
- U18 Boys: Zeb Stokes, Marlon Harrison, Matt Boyle, Ty Richardson Tane Dobbyn, Ben Lorentson.
