A trio of Sunshine Coasters have put their hands up for state titles with impressive displays in the opening leg of the Queensland junior championships.
Buddina’s Jahly Stokes, Mt Coolum’s Ashton Pignat and Tewantin’s Coco Cairns won their divisions at Coolum Beach in the first of two events.
A powerful 1m swell provided great conditions for Queensland’s best junior surfers, and Stokes dominated the under-16 girls section.
She produced a combined two-wave score of 14.16 (out of a possible 20) to beat Currumbin Waters’ Riley Du Preez (7.27). Sunshine Coasters Gisele Sinclair and Jorja Foster also featured in the final.
“It was a lot of fun out there,” Jahly said.
“Once I got my first five-point ride, I knew I just needed another decent score to put together a good performance. I’m happy with how I went.”
Ashton won the under-16 boys division in style. He accumulated a score of 12.56, to stave off Palm Beach’s Rico Haybittle (11.67).
“I surfed great, especially after my earlier heat in round three, where I could’ve done better,” he said.
“This is my first win in a while. The surf looked like a lot of fun, but it was tricky out there. You definitely needed a plan.”
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Meanwhile, Coco proved too good in the under-18 girls competition.
She scored 12.10, to defeat Noosa Heads’ Lilliana Bowrey (8.67).
“It was pretty difficult out there because of the slow wave intervals,” she said.
“But if you picked the right ones, there was lots of opportunity. It’s my first big win in a while, and extra special because all the girls are surfing so well.”
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Coolangatta’s Marlon Harrison won the under-18 boys event.
“It was pumping out there, Sunshine Coast at its finest. I love having contests here,” Marlon said.
The juniors will compete in the the second and final event of the series on the Gold Coast, from July 31 to August 1.
RESULTS
- UNDER 16 GIRLS: Jahly Stokes (Buddina), Riley Du Preez (Currumbin Waters), Gisele Sinclair (Peregian Beach), Jorja Foster (Pacific Paradise).
- UNDER 16 BOYS: Ashton Pignat (Mt Coolum), Rico Haybittle (Palm Beach), Tom Whitpaine (Burleigh Heads), Sam Griffiths (Wurtulla).
- UNDER 18 GIRLS: Coco Cairns (Tewantin), Lilliana Bowrey (Noosa Heads), Layne Baldock (Marcoola), Charlotte Mulley (Mermaid Waters).
- UNDER 18 BOYS: Marlon Harrison (Coolangatta), Matt Boyle (Currumbin Waters), Tane Dobbyn (Palm Beach), Zeb Stokes (Buddina).
