Action Kicks Off at WSL World Junior Championships

Day 2 of the World Surf League (WSL) World Junior Championships, has seen the first competitors eliminated with the completion of the women’s Elimination Round. Some of the event’s top seeds bounced back into form as Urbiztondo Beach delivered more super clean surf in the two-to-three-foot range.

Reigning WSL World Junior Champion Sierra Kerr (AUS) was a clear standout on Day 2 of competition, posting an excellent 8.33 (out of a possible 10) for an impressive front-side air-reverse. Kerr took off on a closeout, raced down the line and hit a solid section to land the air, then backed it up shortly after to beat Philippine Wildcard Cathleya Casals (PHL) with a two-wave total of 14.66 (out of a possible 20), the highest of the women’s event so far.

“I caught a wave right when the heat started, then as I was paddling back out, I saw that wave and went for it,” Kerr said. “It looked like a pretty hard section to hit, but it worked out, and the landing was pretty smooth. Once I landed that air, I just wanted to keep ripping. It slowed down a bit, so I was glad I got that start. I’ve been to the Philippines before, but this is my first time in La Union, and it’s cool. The waves have been fun, and the locals are super nice. I had experience surfing at the CT level last year, so it’s been cool to take the experiences I’ve had there and apply them here at the World Junior Championships.”

Tops Seeds Bounce Back In The Elimination Round at Monaliza Point

Heat 5 of the Elimination Round witnessed Sophia Medina (BRA) go head-to-head with Kohai Fierro (PYF) as both competitors hoped to move a step closer to following in the footsteps of their siblings who have also won WSL World Junior Titles (Gabriel Medina 2013 & Vahine Fierro 2017). It was a ding-dong battle with the lead changing multiple times throughout the heat, but in the end, it was the frontside attack of Medina that earned a 9.33 heat total to narrowly win by just 0.03 of a point.

“That was a super close heat,” Medina said. “I know she is such a good surfer, and the waves were slow, so anything could happen. The wave that I got my high score on came from nowhere so I was so happy to have that come through. Coming from Brazil, there are a lot of beach breaks, so there are a lot of waves like this, which is helpful. I think the experience I had last year on the Challenger Series has been super helpful.”

Former Championship Tour (CT) competitor Luana Silva (BRA) looked to be finding a rhythm with the waves at Urbiztondo Beach as she overcame Philippine Wildcard Mara Lopez (PHL) in Heat 3 of the Elimination Round. Silva’s smooth frontside rail surfing was a perfect match for the long reeling walls of Monaliza Point.

Australian Challenger Series competitor Ellie Harrison (AUS) bounced back well on Day 2 of competition, posting a two-wave total of 13.07 to progress into the Round of 16. Harrison showed power and poise along with a good mix of manuevers to claim her first heat win of the event.

“It was really fun out there,” Harrison said. “There were so many waves coming through. My plan was to just start early and get going. It was a really fun heat. I feel like I need to work on my consistency and enjoy the process along the way, and this is something I want to work on this year. It’s nice to be working on it already and having a good time with the crew we have over here.”

Other standouts on Day 2 included Cocona Kawase (JPN), Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (Basque) and Rosie Smart (AUS). America’s Reid Van Wagoner (USA) put on a super impressive performance to take down one of the event hopefuls, Anon Matsuoka (JPN), in Heat 4 of the Elimination Round. 

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.