SUNSHINE COAST, QUEENSLAND (Sunday 13 June 2021) – The winners of the 2021 Woolworths Queensland Junior Titles – Event One – were decided today in solid conditions at Coolum Beach.
Competitors were welcomed with a strong three foot swell, that, although slow at times, continued throughout the morning, providing fantastic conditions for Queensland’s best junior surfers.
The Under 16 Girls Division was dominated by Jahly Stokes (BUDDINA), with a combined two wave score of 14.16 (out of a possible 20.00) beating Riley Du Preez (CURRUMBIN WATERS) (7.27), Gisele Sinclair (PEREGIAN BEACH) (6.47) and Jorja Foster (PACIFIC PARADISE) (6.23).
“It was a lot of fun out there, but pretty slow. It’s been like that all day,” said Stokes. “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.”
The Under 16 Boys Division was taken out by Ashton Pignat (MT COOLUM) (12.56) amid strong competition, defeating Rico Haybittle (PALM BEACH) (11.67), Tom Whitpaine (BURLEIGH HEADS) (11.43) and Sam Griffiths (WURTULLA) (7.14).
“I surfed great, especially after my earlier heat today in round three where I could’ve done better. 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.” Pignat said.
The Under 18 Girls Division was won by Coco Cairns (TEWANTIN) (12.10). She overcame Lilliana Bowrey (NOOSA HEADS) (8.67), Layne Baldock (MARCOOLA) (3.53) and Charlotte Mulley (MERMAID WATERS) (3.26).
“It was pretty difficult out there because of the slow wave intervals,” Cairns 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.”
In the Under 18 Boys Division, Marlon Harrison (COOLANGATTA) (15.16) took the honours, beating Matt Boyle (CURRUMBIN WATERS) (13.97), Tane Dobbyn (PALM BEACH) (11.90) and Zeb Stokes (BUDDINA) (11.47).
“It was pumping out there – Sunshine Coast at its finest. I love having contests here,” Harrison said. “I was pretty fired up during this comp. I wanted to just put my best foot forward and dominate. That’s the game plan every time.”
The Juniors will now focus their sights on the second and final event of the series, to be held on the Gold Coast, 31 July – 1 August.
Surfing Queensland would like to thank its partners Woolworths, Sunshine Coast Council QMS Media and The Point Coolum Beach.
FINAL 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)
