Huxtable powers to the podium at Burleigh

AMONGST a field of some of the best surfers in the country, Jan Juc’s Xavier Huxtable has come home with a second place in the 26th annual Burleigh Heads Single Fin Festival.

Taking place last weekend in terrific conditions on the Gold Coast, Huxtable showed off his credentials as one of Australia’s star surfers, landing himself in the open division six-man final with slick railwork and power.

Lighting up the water for the huge crowd of spectators to see, Huxtable had a fantastic tussle with 2012 WSL world champion Joel Parkinson in the final, with scores going back and forth till the very end.

The Jan Juc product fell just short, and Parkinson would become a three-time single fin champion, etching his name into the history books.

Huxtable said it was a fantastic experience to surf against some of the country’s best talent.

“It’s a massive event, 16 heats of six people, so lots of surfing, but it was great fun,” he said.

“I got some good waves in the final, but they keep the scores all under wraps until the presentation after the final, so we were all clueless.

“I was chuffed finding out that I came second, I didn’t know what to expect but I was just stoked to make the final and have such a great day.

“It was my first-time surfing against a guy like Joel Parkinson so that was pretty wild.

“He’s such an amazing competitor and surfer, it blows you away how he always manages to get in the best spots.”

After moving up to Queensland during the pandemic, former Jan Juc resident Mia Huppatz also had a podium finish in the women’s division.

Huxtable now has his sights on helping the Torquay Boardriders Club secure a strong result in the Usher Cup teams format which kicks off on Thursday, January 19 on the Gold Coast.