Ellie Harrison wins Australia/Oceania Pro Junior Series

BARWON Heads surfer Ellie Harrison has achieved one of her top competitive feats to date, winning the inaugural WSL Peel Pro Junior in Mandurah WA to finish atop the World Surf League Australia/Oceania Pro Junior rankings.

Thanks to a clutch six-point ride in the dying moments of the event, Harrison edged ahead of Coolangatta surfer Sierra Kerr and secure her third professional junior series win in 2022.

“I literally left it to the last minute, so it was a bit stressful, but I’m happy to get the win,” Harrison said.

“Going into the event it was between Sierra and I for the overall win and while I was nervous, I just had to take it heat by heat.

“I really look up to Sierra even though she’s younger than me; her surfing has been amazing all event. “Luckily, I managed to get the win and score that buzzer beater in the final which was really good!

With the win, Harrison took home honours as the Australia/Oceania Pro Junior champion for the year and qualified for her first WSL World Junior Surfing Championships event, which will be held in California in January.

Harrison said she could not believe she had won the overall title, which has filled her with plenty of confidence going into the back end of this year and into 2023.

“It was a goal of mine to win the title this year and it’s probably the biggest thing that I’ve done.

“World’s is in January and another goal is to take that out, and then continue on and do the Qualifying Series and hopefully qualify for the Challenger Series.

“I’ll just see where everything goes.”

The 17-year-old said that her achievements in 2022 wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of her friends and family and in particular her coaches who have pushed her immensely.

“I’ve had an amazing support crew around me, my family, my manager Kurt Jacobs, Surfing Victoria coaches Cahill (Bell-Warren) and Adam (Robertson) and the coaches at the HPC (High Performance Centre).

“Everyone has been a great support to me.

“Definitely the goal is to make the Championship Tour one day but there’s a long road ahead.”

Just to add the icing on the cake, Harrison took out her first ever Qualifying Series event a few days later, winning the QS 1000 Cape Naturaliste Pro in pumping waves at Yallingup Beach.