BACK-TO-BACK WORLD CHAMPIONS:The Irukandjis win Gold at the 2025 ISA World Junior Championships

 In a dominant display of skill, determination, and sportsmanship, Australia’s junior surfing team, The Irukandjis, have claimed overall team gold at the 2025 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship. The triumph marks back-to-back world titles and Australia’s ninth team gold overall.

The championship victory was complemented by an impressive individual medal tally, with Ocean Lancaster (Merewether, NSW) securing gold in the U16 men’s, Milla Coco Brown (Newport, NSW) earning silver in the U18 women’s, and bronze medals claimed by Lucy Darragh (Gerringong, NSW) in the U16 women’s and Caden Francis (Coolangatta, QLD) in the U16 men’s. The performance cements the Irukandjis as the winningest team in ISA World Junior Surfing Championship history.

Luke MacDonald, Head of Pathway Program at Surfing Australia praised the team’s culture and unity following the historic victory:

“I couldn’t be prouder of this group. We had a really special team here in Peru — not because of their individual talent, but because of the way they connected, supported each other, and competed as one. The culture within this group was outstanding, and that showed every single day, both in and out of the water. We felt something special building from our ISA camp a few weeks ago, and coming into this event, we knew this group was capable of something great.

A huge credit to our coaches, Pete Duncan and Jade Wheatley, and our Team Manager, Tegan Cronau, who led this team with clarity, care, and belief. Big thanks also to Luke Neville (QAS) and Sean Cooney (NSWIS) for having the athletes physically prepared and ready to perform.

I also want to thank the Surfing Australia support team back home for everything they do behind the scenes, and our families for getting the athletes here and for their incredible support on the ground. We weren’t just a team of 12 athletes and six staff — we had 27 parents, family members, and friends on the beach every day, making the ‘rings of fire’ heard right across the event site.

Congratulations to our medal winners Ocean, Milla, Caden, and Lucy, and to the rest of the team for some truly heroic efforts throughout the event.

With Molly claiming the WSL World Title, and Australia going back-to-back at both the Open and Junior ISA World Championships, it’s safe to say Australia is the dominant surfing nation in 2025.”

OCEAN LANCASTER WINS GOLD

In a stacked Under 16 men’s Grand Final, Ocean Lancaster (Merewether, NSW) won Gold in a final for the ages. Lancaster was sitting in third with only 40 seconds left in the heat, then one of the better waves of the heat came his way. He threw everything at it and posted the second-highest score of the heat, a 9.00-pt ride, for a 17.13-pt heat total. Lancaster took the win over fellow countryman Caden Francis (Coolangatta, QLD) who had the highest single score of the final, a 9.57-pt ride, finishing with a 15.94-pt heat total and a bronze medal.

Still coming to terms with the achievement, Lancaster recalled the most emotional and magical moment of his life:

“It still hasn’t really settled in yet — I’m absolutely speechless. It’s an unbelievable feeling. I’ve never felt so many emotions flow through my body all at once, and to celebrate and share that with the team was something else.

I got that last wave in the final 40 seconds of the heat, chasing a big score. I just belted it as hard as I could, and as soon as I finished the wave I threw my hands in the air — all the emotion just poured out. Coming in to have the whole team surround me, and then standing next to Caden after that heat, it was one of the most magical moments of my life.

When I saw Mum and Dad, the tears came flooding. I jumped into their arms and we shared a big family hug. That was one of the most special moments of my life, especially considering how much they’ve given me. To bring home gold for myself, my family, and the team means everything.

Not long after, we were huddled together as a team when they announced we’d won the team gold as well. It was insane — everyone went wild. To do it for the second year in a row just shows how strong the Aussies are, how tight our bonds are, and how well we work as a family. I’m so proud and so honoured to represent my country and everyone back home.”

MILLA COCO BROWN WINS SILVER

Team captain, Milla Coco Brown (Newport, NSW) won Silver in the U18 women’s final, adding to her copper in 2024. Momentarily taking the lead, Brown then narrowly lost out to Sol Borelli (Spain) by just 0.73-pts, Brown dropped a 7.93 + 6.67-pt ride for a 14.60-pt heat total. 

Reflecting on her Silver medal victory, and the team championship, Brown said the event was about more than just medals, it was about memories, friendships, and fun:

“Being captain of the winning team for the second year in a row is really special. The Australian team is like one big family, and to see Ocean win, Lucy and Caden get bronze medals, and myself take silver is something I’ll never forget. Winning is just a bonus in these junior comps, it’s more about making memories and having fun with your friends. It’s safe to say Team AUS did both.”

LUCY DARRAGH AND CADEN FRANCIS WIN BRONZE

In one of the closest heats of the entire competition, Lucy Darragh (Gerringong, NSW) won the Bronze medal in the U16 women’s final. Narrowly finishing behind Bailey Turner (USA) by just 0.41-pts. Darragh is proud of her performances this year and looking forward to 2026:

“I’m so stoked to finish third in the world and to end the year on top of the Australian Junior Series Rankings. I can’t wait to represent Australia again next year!

A huge thanks to Jade Wheatley and Peter-Rees Duncan for their coaching throughout the event, and a special shout-out to Werri Boardriders, Gerringong Surf Club, and everyone back home for their amazing support. And, of course, thanks Mum and Dad for making it all possible.”

Caden Francis (Coolangatta, QLD) surfed incredibly throughout the entire competition, advancing all the way to the final of the U16 men’s. There, he posted the highest single score of both the final and the entire event, a 9.57-pt ride, finishing with a 15.94-pt heat total and claiming the bronze medal:

“3rd in the world!! I’m pretty pumped on my ISA Worlds Junior campaign — from a long ten days of competition to finishing with the highest score of the event and a medal in the U16 boys final!

Big thanks to all of Team Australia for the energy and support, and for helping us claim back-to-back team world champion titles. It was such a sick trip with the best team.

Huge congrats to my mate Ocean Lancaster for bringing the title back to Australia, and for an amazing battle in the final! Pretty cool to have two Aussies in a final celebrating each other’s waves, well done brother.

Thanks heaps to all my support crew back home, my sponsors (especially Sharp Eye Surfboards for the best boards), the whole Surfing Australia High Performance Program, and the amazing coaches who have helped me; Tom Whitaker, Clancy Dawson, Peter-Rees Duncan, Jade Wheatley, and Chelsea Hedges.”

The ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, held this year in Punta Rocas, Peru, saw 441 young surfers from around the globe compete in various divisions. The event is renowned for showcasing the world’s best upcoming talent in surfing and offering a glimpse into the sport’s future.

As the Irukandjis return home with team gold, they bring not only medals but also immense pride and inspiration to the Australian surfing community while putting the rest of the surfing world on notice.

About the ISA:
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the world governing authority for surfing.  This championship has proved to be a direct pathway to the Olympic Games, with Olympic Bronze Medallist Owen Wright, eight-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore, two-time World Champion Tyler Wright, and Sally Fitzgibbons among the past ISA World Junior Champions.

For more information, visit the ISA event website

For Photos, see the ISA media centre

2025 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship – Team Irukandjis

U18 Girls
Milla Coco Brown (Newport, NSW)
⁠⁠Isla Huppatz (Burleigh, NSW)
Ziggy Mackenzie (Bilinga, QLD) 

U18 Boys
Sam Lowe (Thirroul, NSW)
Mitchell Peterson (Noosa, QLD)
Maverick Wilson (Dunsborough, WA)

U16 Girls
Charli Hately (Burleigh, NSW)
⁠⁠Olive Hardy (Gnarabup, WA)
Lucy Darragh (Gerringong, NSW)

U16 Boys
Caden Francis (Coolangatta, QLD)
Max McGillivray (Evans Head, NSW)
Ocean Lancaster (Merewether, NSW)

Follow the Irukandjis on their social media channels here.


Surfing Australia is thankful for the support it has received from the Australian Government – through the Australian Sports Commission – to help enhance the Irukandjis medal chances at Los Angeles 2028.