Teen surfer's on the way up after starring in tricky conditions at the state titles

A promising young Sunshine Coast surfer has reminded the sport’s pundits of her potential, with a convincing win at the state titles.

Buddina’s Jahly Stokes captured the under-18 girls crown, after the two-leg Queensland Junior Surfing Titles.

She won the first leg on the Gold Coast, before winning the second leg on the Sunshine Coast on Sunday, June 19.

Jahly overcame windy and challenging conditions amid tricky 2 to 3-foot surf during the event at Coolum, to secure the title and earn a place in the state team for the national championships, to be held at North Stradbroke later this year.

Jahly claimed the title ahead of a trio of fellow Sunshine Coasters, including Tewantin’s Coco Cairns, Buddina’s Tayla Green and Alexandra Headland’s Layla O’Heir.

She said she was delighted to win both legs of this year’s titles, to follow on from her overall victory in the under-16 division last year.

“This is the first time I’ve ever gone back-to-back with wins and it feel’s really good,” she said via a Surfing Queensland media release.

“I’m really happy with how I surfed.

“This is my first year in the under-18 girls division, so I’m stoked to take it out.”

The result was the latest in a string of strong displays from Jahly.

She burst on to the junior surfing scene in 2019, when she won the Australian under-14 title at Margaret River, in Western Australia, and has since impressed in several state and national events.

The Queensland Junior Titles are regarded as a stepping stone in Surfing Queensland’s development pathway.

Some of the country’s most successful surfers have come through its ranks, including Mick Fanning, Ethan Ewing and Sunshine Coasters Julian Wilson and Isabella Nichols.

The under-18 boys division was won by Gold Coast’s Ty Richardson. Buddina’s Braxon Holmstrom was among the finalists.

The under-16 girls event was won by Gold Coast’s Jordy Halford, ahead of Buddina’s Stella Green.

The under-16 boys division was won by Coolangatta’s Zyah Hession. Noosa Heads duo  Mitchell Peterson and Landen Smales were among the finalists.

The state titles were supported by Woolworths, QMS Media, The Point Coolum Beach and Sunshine Coast Council.

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