Champions crowned at Woolworths Victorian Junior Surfing Titles

CHAMPIONS were crowned across six divisions over the weekend at the final round of the Woolworths Victorian Junior Surfing Titles.

The event served as the third event of the series, with event champions decided in amazing, oily conditions on Sunday morning at Jan Juc beach.

In an absolute nail biter of a finish, Ava Holland (Dromana) was able to come out victorious over former Australian junior champion Sara Hickson (Rye) in the U/16 Girls division, posting two solid seven point scores to get the nod.

Hickson was able to score an 8.33 (out of a possible 10) point ride early in the heat to put some pressure on, however Holland fought back with a series of strong manoeuvres earning her a 7.10-point ride. She was then able to back that score up with a straight 7.00 ride to put herself into the lead.

With 30 seconds to go Hickson had one last chance to strike, however she came up short in the dying moments and was unable to get the required mid range score to take the event out.

The Dromana local in Holland was elated to have taken out the event title.

“All the girls were surfing so well over the whole event and it was a so great to surf in some perfect conditions.”

Sara Hickson finished narrowly behind in second whilst sisters Sarah Seuren (Inverloch) and Sonia Seuren (Inverloch) finished in third and fourth respectively.

On the Boys side of the field, the highlight of the day came in the form of Mornington Peninsula local Lucas Hickson (Rye) who took out the U/18 Boys division with a huge display of innovation.

The multiple time state junior champion was able to post a massive 9.00 point ride in the opening exchange for a series of lethal backhand turns and then find a strong backup score to run out victorious over his fellow finalists.

Willem Watson (Barwon Heads) and Willis Droomer (Jan Juc) fought hard to catch Hickson, both finding 8.00 rides of their own, however neither could bridge the differential by the end of the final.

“It felt good to get a nine-point ride early in the final this morning, but I knew I had to back it up with another decent score because the other boys were ripping and all are capable of getting those big scores.

“It’s a great feeling to have won the event which gives me plenty of confidence going into the rest of the competitive year.”

Willem Watson (Barwon Heads) finished in second place, third went to Willis Droomer (Jan Juc) and Isaiah Norling (Barwon Heads) earned fourth place.

Other winners from the event included Jarvis Barrow (Jan Juc, U/14 Boys), Chloe Muscroft (Jan Juc, Under 14 Girls), Max Bassett (Barwon Heads, Under 16 Boys) and Emily McGettigan (Torquay, Under 18 Girls).

Round 3 of the Woolworths Victorian Junior Surfing Titles was presented by Surfers Rescue 24/7, Surfing Victoria and Surfing Australia.