GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND (Tuesday 25 June 2024) – The champions of the 2024 Queensland Junior Titles Event Two and the overall Queensland Champions were determined today in pristine two-foot waves at Duranbah Beach.
With classic Queensland winter conditions of offshore winds and ample waves, the juniors fiercely competed for a State Title and a coveted spot in the 2024 Australian Junior Surfing Titles, set to take place in Wollongong, NSW, from November 24 to December 1, 2024.
In the Under 16 Girls final, Gold Coast local Meika Locke clinched her first-ever Queensland Junior Titles event win, securing her spot on the Queensland State Team. However, it was Eliza Richardson who earned the overall Queensland Champion title, with points accumulated from both Event 1 and Event 2.
Jesse Fergusson had a close victory against event standout, Jai Nield, who held a dominate position in his heats leading up to the final. Fergusson’s technical ability and focus paid off when he got the win in the U16 Boys final and title of Queensland Champion.
Isla Huppatz, the Queen of Burleigh Board-riders, triumphed in the Under 18 Girls final. Despite Sarah Young, the winner of Event 1, being knocked out in the semi-finals, she was crowned the Queensland Junior Champion after the total series points were tallied.
“I was so nervous when I got knocked out in the semi-finals because I thought I missed the opportunity for the State Title,” said Young.
“I can’t wait to head to the High Performance Centre as part of the Surfing Queensland Academy and train for the Aussie Junior Titles!”
The Under 18 Boys final was the most intense heat of the entire series, seeing a tie between Landen Smales and Brayten Pringault right until the last minutes of the heat. It was Smales who turned the final in his favour with an outstanding heat total of 16.64 (out of a possible 20-points).
“That was the best final I have surfed in recent memory,” said Smales.
“It feels so good to win back-to-back! I got a good wave at the start of the heat, but the boys caught up to me towards the end. I was stoked to score that last wave and I am glad I got the points to win the heat.”
Queensland Junior Champions received a Surfing Queensland Academy scholarship.
The 5-month program consists of a 2-night camp at the Surfing Australia High-Performance Centre, multiple online sessions with professionals/specialists and an exclusive athlete’s pack.
The results of Event 1 and Event 2 were combined together to decide the Queensland Champions for each division.
The Queensland Junior Titles Event 2 marks the conclusion of the Queensland Junior & Grommet Titles Series.
Full event results and series placings are listed to the right.
EVENT WINNERS
U16 Girls
1st – Meika Locke
2nd – Eliza Richardson
3rd – Anna Huppatz
4th – Sea White
U16 Boys
1st – Jesse Fergusson
2nd – Jai Nield
3rd – Hemi O’Brien
4th – Aston Tutt
U18 Girls
1st – Isla Huppatz
2nd – Ziggy Mackenzie
3rd – Stella Green
4th – Bodhi Simon
U18 Boys
1st – Landen Smales
2nd – Brayten Pringault
3rd – Rico Haybittle
4th – Jimmi Hill
Overall Queensland Junior Champions
U16 Girls – Eliza Richardson
U16 Boys – Jesse Fergusson
U18 Girls – Sarah Young
U18 Boys – Landen Smales
The 2024 Queensland Junior and Grommet Titles are supported by Cooee Toys, DriTimes, We Are Feel Good Inc, Suzuki Queensland, QMS Media, The Point Coolum, Queensland Government and Surfing Australia.
