Surfing

Hughie Vaughan (Bateau Bay) put on a clinic in the long righthanders of Sandon Point as he linked together a combination of stylish and technical manoeuvres. Image: Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW

NSW’s best junior surfers come out swinging in pumping surf at Wollongong.

SANDON POINT, WOLLONGONG (Wednesday, 17 November 2021): The 2021 Woolworths NSW Junior State Titles pres. by Ocean and Earth got off to a flying start today as Under-16 competitors tore into playful two-to-three-foot righthanders at Sandon Point.
 
Hughie Vaughan (Bateau Bay) put on a clinic in the long righthanders of Sandon Point as he linked together a combination of stylish and technical manoeuvres. The Central Coast natural-footer smashed out an eclectic mix of snaps and carves to finish his first-round heat with a solid 17.44 two-wave heat total.
 
Goofyfoot duo Samuel Lowe (Port Kembla) and Harley Walters (Angourie) went toe-to-toe and blow-for-blow in their opening exchange with both surfers executing a variety of giant backhand snaps, carves and aerials to both finish with massive heat totals in excess of 16.00. Both surfers looked more than comfortable in the long righthanders and as a result of their performance, both surfers will feature again in the third round.
 
Dane Henry (Fingal) showed why he’s considered a star on the rise as he put on a dominant performance in his opening heat. Henry hammered an array of critical sections in the heat to amass a solid 16.50 two-wave heat total and seal himself a spot into the third round.
 
Jess Ikin (Coffs Harbour) and Milla Brown (Newport) both shone in the final heats of the day, with both surfers posting decent heat victories. Both girls will make their next appearance in round two.
 
The remainder of the first round of the Under-16 Girls will be finished tomorrow.
 
The competition will commence each day at 7:30 am with the call for the day’s schedule and location confirmed via the event hotline at 6:45 am. The event hotline is 0458 247 212.
 
The event is expected to attract approximately 250 promising junior surfers to the Wollongong region.
 
Prime locations for the event are Sandon Point and Woonona.
 
Seeding for each age division are determined by the Surfing NSW State Rankings.
 
Schedule:
U18’s (Boys & Girls): Thursday 18th – Saturday 20th November 2021
U16’s (Boys & Girls): Wednesday 17th – Saturday 20th November 2021
U14’s (Boys & Girls): Saturday 20th – Monday 22nd November 2021
 
The event will run in a straight knock-out format, under four-person priority rules.
 
Please note all event dates are subject to e due to applicable COVID-19 related government restrictions and NSW public health order amendments.