Holland, Barrow win first round of Victorian Junior Surfing Titles

AVA Holland (Dromana) and Jarvis Barrow (Jan Juc) won the premier division in the first round of the No TXT No Wrecks Victorian Junior Surfing Titles, held at at Jan Juc Beach at the weekend,

Over the two-day competition, the state’s best groms battled it out to earn vital points to make it into the state team.

With only a small amount of swell on offer, the competition was shifted from Bells Beach/Djarrak to Jan Juc Beach, which provided fun left and right beach break conditions.

On the first day of the competition, Barrow delivered an outstanding performance, solidifying himself as a top contender in the competition.

In his first-round heat, Barrow posted the highest single-wave score of the round with an impressive 8.77, showcasing a swift forehand attack and executing multiple blow-tail maneuvers with precision.

Carrying that momentum into the second day, Barrow excelled in the quarterfinals, earning an 8-point ride with similar blow-tail snaps.

Holland was the standout performer in the Under 18 girls’ division early on, delivering a commanding performance in the semi-finals. Holland’s impressive 9.50-point ride, featuring a massive three-turn combination, set the standard and put the competition on notice.

Estella Carbonelli (Jan Juc) lit up the Under 14 girls’ final with an electrifying display of skill and confidence.

Carbonelli made an immediate statement in the opening stages, starting with a 7.50-point ride for a powerful forehand re-entry that set the tone for the final.

Wasting no time, she followed up with a jaw-dropping forehand snap off the lip, launching into the air, dropping out of the sky, and sticking a flawless landing. This remarkable manoeuvre earned her a 9.27-point ride, putting the rest of the field in a combination situation.

Jan Juc’s Estella Carbonelli lit up the Under 14 girls’ final.

The Under 18 girls’ final delivered excitement and drama from the beginning, with Holland showcasing her skill and determination to claim the championship title.

In the opening moments, Holland caught a peaking right-hander and executed a series of precise backhand hits, earning a 6.50-point ride. The competition quickly heated up as Lillian Bassed (Sandy Point) responded with a powerful two-turn combination of snaps, scoring 7.17 points to take the lead.

Holland paddled into the biggest wave of the day and executed a bold backhand hit, going upside down and landing with ease. This impressive ride earned her a 9.00-point score, giving her a commanding lead over the field.

Ava Holland on her way to victory at Jan Juc Beach.

In the Boys’ Under-18 division, Tarvi Woods opened the heat with a solid 5.83-point ride, displaying a series of sharp backhand whips. Not to be outdone, Barrow responded with a powerful backhand hit on a set wave, earning a 6.17-point ride. Barrow quickly built on his momentum, linking a combination of snaps and carves on his next ride to post a 6.00, securing an early lead.

Rye Cicero (Sandy Point) adopted a busy strategy, catching multiple smaller waves on the inside in an attempt to challenge Barrow. However, he was unable to lock in the high score needed to take the lead.

Under 18 Girls: