Pictured: Top-left & bottom-right: 2024 Queensland Team. Top right: 2023 Queensland Team celebrating victory. Bottom-left: 2022 Queensland Team crowned winners. Credit: Surfing Queensland
GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND (Thursday 21 November, 2024) – Queensland’s best junior surfers are gearing up to represent Queensland at the Australian Junior Surfing Titles, kicking off this weekend in Wollongong, NSW, from 24 November to 1 December. With victories in both 2022 and 2023, the team of 41 junior surfers are now aiming for their third consecutive win.
Since the establishment of the Surfing Queensland Academy (SQA), Queensland’s junior surfers have achieved unmatched success. The team claimed an emphatic victory in 2022, achieving the largest winning margin in 22 years, and continued their dominance with another win in 2023.
This year, with the help of the SQA training program, the team is positioned to uphold their title and are ready to face the competition across five divisions for both male and female, Under 14, Under 16, Under 18, MR Junior and MR Senior.
This year, the Queensland team will benefit from the mentorship and guidance of professional surfer, Oscar Berry. Berry, recently crowned champion at the Siargao International Surfing Cup World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 5000, will share his insights and expertise with up-and-coming surfers, providing competitors with an invaluable opportunity to learn from one of the best in the industry.
The team will be supported by Team Manager Kylie Bilsen and coaches Jade Wheatley and Kurt Barrow, who bring extensive experience and expertise to assist the Queensland surfers. Their guidance and support will play a crucial role in shaping the team’s performance and ensuring they are well-prepared for competition.
Under 18 back-to-back Queensland State Champion and division standout, Landen Smales, is looking to add another trophy to his already impressive collection. In 2023, Smales secured five Australian Titles across both shortboard and longboard divisions at the Australian Surf Championships and the Australian Indigenous Titles, while also helping the Queensland Team clinch victory.
Other key competitors to watch representing Queensland include the current rolling seeding leader, Mitchell Peterson (U18 boys), ISA Junior World Champion, Ziggy Mackenzie (U18 girls), Jesse Fergusson (U16 boys), Meika Locke (U16 girls), Luca Martin (U14 boys) and Navah Holmes (U14 girls).
To stay up-to-date with the Queensland Team at the 2024 Australian Junior Surfing Titles, visit australianjuniorsurfingtitles.com for daily updates.
QUEENSLAND TEAM (order based on Queensland Junior & Grommet Surfing Titles performance)
Under 18 Men:
- Landen Smales
- Brayten Pringault
- Zyah Hession
- Mitchell Peterson
- Davi Glazer
- Will Martin
Under 18 Women:
- Sarah Young
- Ziggy Mackenzie
- Jordy Halford
- Stella Green
- Bodhi Simon
- Isla Huppatz
Under 16 Cadet Boys:
- Jesse Fergusson
- Jai Nield
- Hayden Danswan
- Henry Dowling
- Ashton Tutt
- Leo Sennett
- WILDCARD: Caden Francis
Under 16 Cadet Girls:
- Meika Locke
- Rosie Richardson
- Sea White
- Anna Huppatz
- Livy Corvisy
- Gidget Kowalski
- Samantha Arderne
Under 14 Grommet Boys:
- Luca Martin
- Jaxxon Sands
- Kai Coleman
- Rayden Fukuda
- Lucas Deffenti
- Ky Clements
- Archie Fergusson
- WILDCARD: Zac Johnston
Under 14 Grommet Girls:
- Navah Holmes
- Evie Wilson
- Amelia Craike
- Maddison Kenchington
- Miller-May Berg
- Charlotte Reilly
- Malia Simon
MR Shield – Senior Boys:
- Will Martin
- Davi Glazer
MR Shield – Senior Girls:
- Jordy Halford
- Meika Locke
MR Shield – Junior Boys:
- Luca Martin
- Jai Nield
MR Shield – Junior Girls:
- Miller May Berg
- Livy Corvisy
Surfing Queensland would like to thank it’s corporate partners for their ongoing support including Suzuki Queensland, Travla, DriTimes, We Are Feel Good Inc, Sunshine Coast Council, The Point Coolum and Ancestral Nutrition.
