LENNOX HEAD, New South Wales (Tuesday, July 8, 2025) – Queenslanders Landen Smales and Ziggy Mackenzie have claimed victories at the 2025 Traeger Grills Pro Junior as part of the Soundboks Oz Grom Open, one of the country’s biggest and most celebrated junior surfing event. The pair overcame a huge field of Australia’s best 20-and-under surfers to win in clean but small conditions at Lennox Head.
Burleigh Heads surfer Ziggy Mackenzie added another title to her already overflowing mantlepiece, taking out the Traeger Grills Pro Junior. Mackenzie seemed totally unfazed by the small waves and the onshore wind that popped up throughout the final, with fellow Burleigh surfer Isla Huppatz (AUS) nailing a series of massive snaps and carves to post a solid 14.33 heat total (out of a possible 20) and her first victory at this event since 2023, when she won the under 16 division.
“This feels amazing to be chaired up the beach. I actually haven’t won anything for quite some time, so it’s such a nice feeling to get the win here again where I won one of my first grom comps,” said Mackenzie. “There were little right-handers that were popping up everywhere out there, so I just wanted to make sure I was in position for them when they came through. Isla is one of my best friends, so it was great to be out there in a man-on-man heat, and I think it fired both of us as neither of us wanted to lose.”
Noosa Heads local Landen Smales showed why he’s an Indigenous Australian Champion, taking out the Boys final of the Traeger Grills Pro Junior. In the rapidly deteriorating surf, Smales took to the air to get the upper hand in the heat and as a result was rewarded with a solid 7.10 wave score that allowed him to get the lead ahead of fellow Sunshine Coast surfer Mitch Peterson (AUS).
“I didn’t really have a tactic in this final as I knew the waves were getting pretty bad, but I just thought the judges would like it if I went to the air,” said Smales. “My whole goal is to hopefully qualify for the World Juniors, so hopefully this result will help me get there.”
Surfing Queensland also extends its congratulations to the Queensland surfers who claimed titles at the Soundboks Grom Open presented by O’Neill, including U18 Boys Champion Caden Francis, U18 Girls Champion Meika Locke, and U14 Boys Champion Morrison Massey.
The Traeger Grills Pro Junior, as part of the 2025 Soundboks Oz Grom Open, ran from July 4 – 8, 2025. For more information, head to www.WorldSurfLeague.com
