The winners of the 2023 Woolworths Queensland Junior Titles event two and overall Queensland Champions were crowned today in clean two-to-three foot waves at Coolum Beach.
It was a classic Queensland winter day with gentle to moderate southerly wind and plenty of waves for Queensland’s best juniors to battle it out for a state title and a position at the 2023 Australian Junior Surfing Titles, to be held at Phillip Island, 25 November – 3 December.
In the Under 16 Girls final, Ziggy Mackenzie (BILINGA), fought hard for the win against Meika Locke (PALM BEACH), Brisa Canina (PEREGIAN SPRINGS) and Amber Faddy (WURTULLA).
The Under 16 Boys Division was taken out by Mitchell Peterson (NOOSAVILLE) who was a standout performer of the weekend and the event series, winning the pervious event on the Gold Coast. Peterson defeated Will Martin (COOLANGATTA), Jesse Todd (TWEED HEADS) and Jesse Ferguson (SUNSHINE BEACH).
It was a back-and-forth battle for the Under 18 girls title between Jordy Halford (CURRUMBIN WATERS) and Isla Huppatz (BILINGA). Halford’s powerful surfing proved too much for Huppatz in the end, with Urara Saito (GOLD COAST) and Jorja Foster (PACIFIC PARADISE) taking third and fourth respectively.
“I’m so stoked to win,” said Halford. “And I’m really looking forward to being part of the Queensland Team to compete at the Australian Junior Titles as I’ve never been to Phillip Island before.”
The Under 18 boys were on fire all weekend with Rico Haybittle (PALM BEACH) the standout from day one. He had a slow start to the final with his two major scores coming late in the heat, which saw him edge past Zyah Hession (COOLANGATTA). In third and fourth place were Xennex Holmstrom (BUDDINA) and Scott Arderne (TUGUN).
“It feels so good to take the win today,” said Haybittle. “The waves were a bit slow but really fun on the sets. I can’t wait to compete at Aussies at the end of the year.”
The results of event one and two were combined together to decide the Queensland Champions for each division.
Full event results and series placings are listed below.
EVENT WINNERS
U16 Girls
1st – Ziggy Mackenzie
2nd – Meika Locke
3rd – Brisa Canina
4th – Amber Faddy
U16 Boys
1st – Mitchell Peterson
2nd – Will Martin
3rd – Jesse Todd
4th – Jesse Ferguson
U18 Girls
1st – Jordy Halford
2nd – Isla Huppatz
3rd – Urara Saito
4th – Jorja Foster
U18 Boys
1st – Rico Haybittle
2nd – Zyah Hession
3rd – Xennex Holmstrom
4th – Scott Arderne
Overall Woolworths Queensland Junior Champions
U16 Girls – Meika Locke
U16 Boys – Mitchell Peterson
U18 Girls – Isla Huppatz
U18 Boys – Landen Smales
