NEWLY crowned World Surf League (WSL) world junior champion Jarvis Earle will be among a talented field of more than 100 junior male and female surfers heading to the Lake Mac City Pro Junior at Redhead beach on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 February.
The WSL Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) 1000 event will run with full fields of 72 surfers in the boys and 32 surfers in the girls. The Lake Mac City Pro Junior will also see nine international competitors from Asia, Europe and Hawaii.
Earle from Cronulla, NSW, scored a near perfect 9.5 at Seaside Reef in San Diego last month to claim the world title and a spot on the 2023 Challenger Series. Reigning event junior female champion Ellie Harrison will be back in Lake Mac defending the title she claimed here in 2022.
Caves Beach surfers Jackson Woolnough and Kyla Renes won the wildcards into their respective events at this beach a fortnight ago.
City of Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said the city was again looking forward to some terrific surfing and the boost to local businesses the surfers and their families will provide this weekend.
“We’re so proud to once again host this landmark event, showcasing some of the best young surfers in the business.
“Lake Mac beaches have long been a breeding ground for world-class surfing talent, so Redhead Beach is a fitting setting in which to see this contest played out,” she said.
Surfest organiser Warren Smith said the Lake Mac City Pro Junior provides an enviable showcase for tomorrow’s champions and the high standard of surfing in the junior ranks increases every year.
“The Lake Mac City Pro Junior has become an integral part of Surfest. We are really proud this event attracts full fields of some of the best junior surfers in the world.
“The event really complements Lake Mac City’s ongoing efforts to position itself as a premier destination for young people and surfing,” he said.
The Lake Mac City Pro Junior will commence at 7am on both Saturday and Sunday with the final slotted for 3pm on Sunday 26 February.
