Groms power through challenging conditions on Day 2 of Taj’s Small Fries in Yallingup

Day 2 of Taj’s Small Fries presented by Board.Store, brought a dramatic shift in conditions, with a building swell and onshore winds raising the stakes and challenging some of Australia’s best young surfers to dig deep.Despite overcast and drizzly conditions, the enthusiasm and energy of the groms were undeterred as they showcased their skills and resilience in Western Australia’s premier junior surfing event.As the first marquee event of the 2025 Surfing Australia Junior Series, with 10,000 ratings points up for grabs for the winners, the intensity elevated as the Under-14 Boys division hit the water first up this morning. 

Defending event champion Jasper Glossop (Vasse, WA), tackled the elements head-on with a powerful display that saw him post a combined total of 11.50 (from a possible 20), in the opening heat of the day. The goofy footer looked in sync with the ocean as he kicked off his campaign with a bang. 

“I love it here in Yallingup and although the waves are a lot different than yesterday it’s still really fun out there,” Glossop said. “I’ve got a lot of my Indonesian friends here and l I could hear them cheering me on after every wave.”

Jack Bowdell (Cowaramup, WA), Lennox Lindsay (Shoalhaven, NSW), Ollie Holmes (Dunsborough, WA), Tully Crompton (Tugun, QLD), Jay Whitfield (Bogangar, NSW), Henry Smith (Mona Vale, NSW), and Darcy Gee (Dunsborough, WA), all performed strongly in the hotly contested Under-14 Boys division. Summer Barkhuizen (Eglinton, WA), Estella Carbonelli (Jan Juc, VIC), Navah Holmes (Tugun, QLD), and Eve Campbell (Tomakin, NSW), all surfed with a maturity beyond their years to book their place into the Under-14 Girls semi finals.

The Under-12 Boys semi finalists were also decided with Indonesia prodigy Alessandro Dotti (Bali, IND), in amazing form posting a combined total of 13.88 (from a possible 20), on his way to the man-on-man heats. At just eight years of age, Dotti is one of the youngest surfers in the event, but didn’t let his age or size hold him back. 

“This is my second time here at Taj’s Small Fries and I didn’t do that well last year so I’m stoked to make the semis,” said Dotti. “It’s such a cool place and the waves today were tough, but I just did what I had to out there which was have fun.” 

Dotti will be joined in the semi by Flynn Swierczewski (Coolangatta, QLD), Levi Lowe (Byron Bay, NSW), and Brysen Gee (Dunsborough, WA), who also ripped the waves at Shallows to pieces.

The Under-16 Girls division was a delight to watch with Miller-May Berg (Miami Beach, QLD), one of the standout performers on day two. Berg finished second in the Under-14 Girls in 2024 and is motivated to go one better in 2025. 

“This is my first year competing in the Under-16’s and I’m feeling really good,” Berg said. “It’s nice to surf over a reef and I’m excited for the swell that’s forecast for the weekend.”

As the wind got stronger and the swell increased, the Under-16 Boys competitors had to adapted quickly to the challenging surf, with precise carving and tactical wave selection setting the leaders apart. Eastern states surfers faced off against local WA talent, creating some nail-biting heats that had spectators hanging on each and every wave ridden. 

Western Australians Jahli Clarke (Cowaramup, WA), Cruz Uros (Dunsborough, WA), Brody Mulik (Margaret River, WA), Cruz MacDonald (Geraldton, WA), and Ace Flynn (Cowaramup, WA), all progressed into the third round, where they’ll face off against Hunter Sutcliffe (Manly, NSW), Joey Silk(Crescent Head, NSW), Eden Alker (North Curl Curl, NSW), Mateus Leal (Northern Beaches, NSW), Rio Luther Barr (Bundagen, NSW), Ashton Mekisic (Wollongong, NSW) and Harrison Gibbs (Golden Beach, QLD), when competition continues tomorrow.Taj’s Small Fries community vibe remained strong, long into the afternoon with competitors, families and spectators enjoying the annual Board.Store Pong Off, which saw good times and fun vibes echoing through the centre of Dunsborough.

Over the years, Taj’s Small Fries has been instrumental in shaping the careers of Australian surfing icons, including WA’s Felicity Palmateer, Jack Robinson, Bronte Macaulay, and Jacob Willcox, and Burrow is excited to witness the rise of future champions. Keep up to date via www.surfingwa.com.au/events/tajsmallfries.

About Taj’s Small Fries:
Since 2006, Taj’s Small Fries has been WA’s premier junior surfing event, providing a springboard for aspiring surfing stars. Hosted by Taj Burrow, the event has been pivotal in nurturing surfing talent, with past champions including Felicity Palmateer, Jack Robinson, Bronte Macaulay, and Jacob Willcox. This 20th-anniversary edition celebrates two decades of surf culture, community, and grommet stoke along WA’s iconic Yallingup coastline.