Harrison “super proud” of World Junior Surfing Championships effort

BARWON Heads surfer Ellie Harrison says she is “super proud and thankful” for her experience of surfing in the SAMBAZON World Junior Championships in San Diego, where she fell just shy of a finals day finish against the world’s best juniors.

On Friday last week, Harrison went down in her Round of 16 matchup against fellow Australian Zahli Kelly, with the latter scoring a 7.40 wave score to edge Harrison out of the event just before the quarter-finals.

Before her Round of 16 loss, Harrison had a commanding heat win in Round 1 against American Kirra Pinkerton and South African Gemma Hanafey.

While she bowed out earlier in the event than she would liked, the 17-year-old remained incredibly proud of her efforts.

“Qualifying for the world titles was something I was super proud of, my goal was to win the Australiia/Oceania Pro Junior and I was able to accomplish that to set myself up for this event,” Harrison said.

“The competition was a good learning experience and a great chance to meet new people and catch up with old friends from around the world.

“Being with the Aussie team and cheering everyone on was a huge highlight, the camaraderie that we have for one another is very special.

“The waves were also super fun, I got to surf Seaside reef at its best, huge Swarmies and Rincon Point.”

After winning the 2022 Australia/Oceania Pro Junior title, Harrison has her sights set on challenging for a Championship Tour in the coming years.

“I just want to keep improving on all aspects of my surfing,” she said.

“I will compete on the Australian leg of the Qualifying Series events and see where that takes me.

“I also start Year 12 this year and aim to do it over two years so I can focus on both my education and surfing, which is really important.”