SUNSHINE COAST, QUEENSLAND (Saturday, 18 April 2026) – Momentum continued at Parko’s Junior Pro pres. by Campbell Construction Co today, as Finals Day contenders were locked in across all divisions from Under 12 through to the marquee Under 18 divisions.
The next generation of talent was on full display in the Under 12 Girls division, with standout performances from Vada Wessel and Myra Brown. Both surfers secured their place on Finals Day with excellent scores above 7, highlighting the depth of emerging young talent coming through the ranks.
The event welcomed a special appearance from surfing legend Joel Parkinson, who spent time on the beach watching the action unfold. Reflecting on the event’s legacy, Parkinson shared his pride in how the competition has grown over the past 15 years.
“From the first time I got asked to do this comp all those years ago, it’s so cool to now have this legacy,” said Parkinson.
“It’s amazing to see this event continue to grow stronger every year, bringing groms from all over the country. I think it’s got a long future ahead.”
In the Under 16 Girls division, Malia Watson and Miller-May Berg emerged as key standouts, both securing progression into Finals Day and positioning themselves as strong contenders for the title.
The Under 16 Boys saw dominant surfing from Jaggar Phillips, who posted an impressive 8.50 on his best wave, one of the highest single-wave scores of the day, showcasing his control and power in the conditions.
Challenging afternoon conditions tested competitors in the Under 18 Girls division, where Alice Hodgson demonstrated composure and strategy to advance through her heat.
“I was waiting for a little bit until the right wave came, but I was definitely getting nervous,” said Hodgson.
“Once I got the wave, I just pushed really hard through every turn so I could get the score I needed. Leila (Fraser) beat me in the paddle battle, so I just sat on the inside bank and just picked off whatever came through to get the win.”
In the Under 18 Boys, Caden Francis continued his strong run through the event, locking in his Finals Day position with a solid 13.63 heat total against a competitive field including Lachlan Arghyros, Zeb Berding, and Hayden Danswan.
With Finals Day now set across all divisions, the stage is ready for an exciting conclusion as Australia’s top junior surfers prepare to battle it out for event honours.
Competition will continue tomorrow, where champions will be crowned across all divisions. Stay up to date with the event schedule on Liveheats, and tune in to the live stream running across the entire event:
https://liveheats.com/events/496928
Parko’s Junior Pro pres. by Campbell Construction Co is part of the Surfing Australia Junior Series.
Surfing Queensland would like to thank Billabong for supporting the event.
Surfing Queensland would like to thank it’s partners for their ongoing support including: BYD Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast Council, Dritimes, The Point Coolum, Breaka Flavoured Milk, We Are Feel Good Inc, Mogu Mogu and Blue Horizon.
About Campbell Construction Co.
Campbell Construction Co was established here on the Sunshine Coast and have since expanded across Australia. Specialising in building New Homes, Knockdown Rebuilds, Renovations and Insurance Repair, our approach is unlike others – We Care, built into everything we do.
With over 20 years experience in the construction industry, we have built a solid reputation for delivering affordable custom builds and home renovations with a focus on quality over quantity.
But for us it’s more than just bricks and mortar, it’s about laying the foundation for stronger, happier communities, and it all begins with fostering our youth to turn dreamers into doers!
