SUNSHINE COAST, QUEENSLAND (Monday, 20 April 2026) – Champions have been crowned at Parko’s Junior Pro pres. by Campbell Construction Co, as Finals Day delivered high-performance surfing and memorable moments across all divisions yesterday on the Sunshine Coast.
In the Under 18 Boys division, Ben Zanatta claimed victory over Caden Francis in a strategic final that saw him take on the less conventional right-handers, while most of the field opted for the more consistent left. Zanatta’s approach paid dividends, posting an excellent 8.33 for his powerful carving turns to secure the win.
Inspired by event namesake Joel Parkinson, Zanatta credited his focus on rail work as a key factor in his performance.
“I’ve just been working on doing some good carves and I love Parko’s carves, so I wanted to try it out,” said Zanatta.
“I thought to myself, if I get a good section on the wave to do a carve, it is likely that I will get a good score.”
The Under 18 Girls division saw Alice Hodgson go back-to-back, taking out the title for the second consecutive year with a composed and tactical performance against Savannah Rielly. In challenging afternoon conditions, Hodgson executed her strategy to perfection—locking in early scores and maintaining priority through the closing stages of the heat.
“I’m stoked to get the win, especially after winning it last year! I didn’t think it was going to happen again but it did,” said Hodgson.
“We get similar conditions to this all the time at home, so all the training paid off. I was so nervous when Savannah got a good score, so I just had to sit next to her with priority and try and hold out ‘til the end of the heat.”
In the Under 16 Boys, Jaggar Phillips delivered a strong performance to take the win over Jonny Tooth, combining a 7.17 and 6.23 to control the final from start to finish.
The Under 16 Girls final provided one of the most exciting moments of the day, with Mali Adam securing victory over Miller-May Berg in a nail-biting finish. Adam took to the air to post a 7.23, sealing the win in dramatic fashion.
The Under 14 Boys division came down to the wire, with Maverick Macgugan snatching victory in the dying seconds of the heat. A crucial 6.67 saw him edge out Hayden Mee by just 0.86 points in one of the closest finishes of the event.
In the Under 14 Girls, Estella Carbonelli established early dominance, locking in two strong scores to defeat Ily Fraser and control the heat from the outset.
The Under 12 Boys final showcased a spirited showdown between close friends Luca Dart and Ollie Sharpe. In a tightly contested heat, Dart secured the win on his final wave, narrowly edging ahead in a fitting finish.
Myra Brown claimed victory in the Under 12 Girls, defeating Chloe Grainger. Demonstrating composure beyond her years, Brown’s mature surfing—backed by a strong skating background—signals a bright future ahead.
With standout performances across all age divisions, Parko’s Junior Pro once again highlighted the depth of emerging talent in Australian surfing, reinforcing its status as the country’s premier junior event.
Parko’s Junior Pro pres. by Campbell Construction Co is part of the Surfing Australia Junior Series.
Surfing Queensland would like to thank Billabong for supporting the event.
Surfing Queensland would like to thank it’s partners for their ongoing support including: BYD Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast Council, Dritimes, The Point Coolum, Breaka Flavoured Milk, We Are Feel Good Inc, Mogu Mogu and Blue Horizon.
PARKO’S JUNIOR PRO PRESENTED BY CAMPBELL CONSTRUCTION CO CHAMPIONS:
Under 18 Boys: Ben Zanatta
Under 18 Girls: Alice Hodgson
Under 16 Boys: Jaggar Phillips
Under 16 Girls: Mali Adam
Under 14 Boys: Maverick Macgugan
Under 14 Girls: Estella Carbonelli
Under 12 Boys: Luca Dart
Under 12 Girls: Myra Brown
About Campbell Construction Co.
Campbell Construction Co was established here on the Sunshine Coast and have since expanded across Australia. Specialising in building New Homes, Knockdown Rebuilds, Renovations and Insurance Repair, our approach is unlike others – We Care, built into everything we do.
With over 20 years experience in the construction industry, we have built a solid reputation for delivering affordable custom builds and home renovations with a focus on quality over quantity.
But for us it’s more than just bricks and mortar, it’s about laying the foundation for stronger, happier communities, and it all begins with fostering our youth to turn dreamers into doers!
