Queensland’s best juniors surfers are gearing up to represent Queensland at the Woolworths Australian Junior Surfing Titles, kicking off this weekend at Phillip Island, Victoria, 25 November – 3 December. After a remarkable victory in 2022, where the Queensland team clinched the Title with the biggest winning margin in 22 years, the 38 surfers representing Queensland are determined to make a statement once again.
In 2022, the Queensland team showcased exceptional surfing and camaraderie to dominate the other States. This year, with the help of the Surfing Queensland Academy training program, the team is positioned to uphold their Title and are ready to face the competition across three divisions for both male and female, Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18.
This year the Queensland team will benefit from the mentorship and guidance of professional surfer, Reef Heazlewood. Heazlewood, a seasoned athlete with a wealth of competitive experience, will be sharing his insights and knowledge with the up-and-coming surfers, offering the competitors an invaluable opportunity to learn from one of the best in the industry.
Heazlewood said it’s a huge honour to be mentoring the up-and-coming Queensland surfers and he’s looking forward to sharing his knowledge with the team.
“I’m super excited to be heading down with the Queensland team and have this opportunity to share my experiences with the new generation of Queensland surfers,” said Heazlewood. “It’s cool to be coming back to the Australian Titles, it feels like it was just yesterday that I was competing in the event myself. I’m hoping to share some of the processes I’ve learnt along my competitive journey that’s worked for me. For example, how I prepare for each heat and also the mental side of competing – that’s a big one! It’s going to be a fun week and I’m looking forward to watching the team smash it. Let’s go Team Queensland!”
Accompanying the team are coaches, Jade Wheatley and Kurt Barrow, who bring a wealth of coaching experience and expertise to the Queensland surfers. Their guidance and support will play a crucial role in shaping the team’s performance and ensuring they are well-prepared for competition.
Under 18 Queensland State Champion and division standout, Landen Smales, is looking to get another trophy to add to his impressive 2023 Australian Title collection. Smales has won a total of five Australian Titles in 2023, across shortboard and longboard divisions at the Australian Surf Championships and the Australian Indigenous Titles held earlier this year.
Other standout names to watch representing Queensland is Kai Coleman (Under 14 boys), Eliza Richardson (Under 14 girls), Anna Huppatz (Under 16 girls) and Mitchell Peterson (Under 16 boys).
To stay up-to-date with the Queensland Team at the 2023 Woolworths Australian Junior Surfing Titles, visit australianjuniorsurfingtitles.com for daily updates.
Surfing Queensland would like to thank it’s corporate partners for their ongoing support including Suzuki Queensland, Travla, DriTimes, We Are Feel Good Inc, Sunshine Coast Council, The Point Coolum and Ancestral Nutrition.
