Surfing Australia shakes up junior series rankings

SURFING Australia will shake up its junior program in 2024, with more ranking points, more live broadcasts and an exciting new seeding process all slated to feature.

In a major boost to junior pathways, a rolling seeding system will come into place, with athletes’ seeds determined by their best three results over a 12-month period.

The rolling seeding will be updated after each event and will serve as a valuable tool for event promoters in establishing heat draw seedings without affecting National Junior Rankings.

The Woolworths Australian Junior Surfing Titles will become the highest rated event in Surfing Australia history in 2024, with 12,000 points up for grabs for the winners.

The Taj Small Fries in Western Australia, Sunshine Coast Junior Pro, Billabong Occy Grom Comp, Skullcandy Oz Grom Open and Phillip Island Junior Pro in Victoria will all be worth 10,000 points.

All Woolworths Junior State Titles will be worth 7,500 ranking points.

Live broadcast will be available for all 10,000 point events, helping to showcase Australia’s best juniors on a global scale.

Surfing Australia event specialist Rohan Fell said the shakeup “will help to create the best pathway Australian junior surfers have ever experienced”.

“The new series will offer more opportunities for junior surfers to compete by introducing new events and expanding the formats of existing events to meet the growing demand we’re witnessing, nationwide.

“Additionally, our third party event promoters including LiveHeats will play a vital role in connecting this pathway from participation events through to the nation’s premier surfing events.”