Two World Champions, One Nation: Australia Dominates the WSL World Juniors

Australia continues to reaffirm its dominance on the world surfing stage as Isla Huppatz and Dane Henry claimed the women’s and men’s titles at the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) World Junior Championships in the Philippines.

On a tense Finals Day defined by inconsistent one-to-two-foot swell, Australia’s junior surfers demonstrated composure, precision and elite small-wave skills to emerge as the world’s leading under-20 competitors. Dane Henry and Isla Huppatz’s victories not only delivered Australia a clean sweep of the World Junior titles, but also secured both surfers valuable qualification positions for their rookie seasons on the 2026 Challenger Series.

Both surfers were also members of Team Australia’s Irukandjis squads that claimed the Open and Junior ISA World Surfing Games world titles, further reinforcing Australia’s dominance on the international surfing stage.

Isla Huppatz Claims Maiden World Junior Crown

Isla Huppatz capped off a flawless campaign with the biggest win of her young career, securing her first World Junior title and extending Australia’s rich legacy in the women’s division. The 18-year-old reigning Australia/Oceania Junior Champion defeated fellow Australian and 2023 World Junior Champion Sierra Kerr in a tightly contested Final.

Huppatz had been the standout performer throughout the event, opening her campaign with the highest single-wave score of the competition, a 9.00, and maintaining that level of excellence through every round. Raised in Victoria and now based on the Gold Coast, Huppatz consistently posted some of the highest heat totals of the event, showcasing maturity well beyond her years.

The all-Australian Women’s Final reflected the nation’s depth of talent, with both surfers advancing through challenging Semifinals against international opposition. In the Final, Huppatz struck first with a crucial 7.17, setting the tone in difficult, slow conditions. While Kerr applied pressure throughout the 40-minute heat, Huppatz delivered when it mattered most, finding a late opportunity to post a 5.50 and secure the title in the closing minutes.

The victory places Huppatz alongside an elite group of Australian World Junior Champions, including Sally Fitzgibbons, Laura Enever and Isabella Nichols, underlining the strength of Australia’s women’s development pathway.

Dane Henry Completes Breakout Season with World Title

In the men’s event, Dane Henry delivered a commanding performance to claim his first WSL World Junior Championship, capping off a remarkable 2025 season for the 19-year-old Australian.

Already a 2X ISA World Surfing Games gold medallist and reigning Australia/Oceania Junior Champion, Henry added the World Junior title to his growing list of accolades, becoming the fifth Australian man to win the prestigious event. His victory places him in rare company alongside Australian icons such as Joel Parkinson and Ethan Ewing.

Henry’s Finals Day began with a dramatic Semifinal win over fellow Australian Lennix Smith, advancing with a last-minute score under pressure. Fellow Australian, Winter Vincent, last year’s World Junior runner-up, was also among those featuring prominently in the latter stages of the event, just falling short in the semi-finals.

In the Final, after conceding the early lead, Henry responded with a strong 7.00 and backed it up with a 6.67 to take control of the heat and hold his advantage through the closing stages.

The win was the culmination of a decade-long coaching partnership with Adam Dufner, and a season that firmly established Henry as one of Australia’s most promising talents heading into the professional ranks.

Australia’s Next Generation Steps Forward

With Huppatz and Henry both claiming World Junior titles, Australia once again demonstrated its ability to produce surfers capable of thriving on the global stage. Their performances in challenging conditions highlighted not only technical skill, but tactical awareness, resilience and competitive maturity.

As both surfers prepare to step onto the Challenger Series in 2026, their victories in the Philippines mark a defining moment — not just personal milestones, but a clear statement of Australia’s continued strength and depth in world surfing!