Young WA surfing stars succeed across the board at the 2022 Taj’s Small Fries competition at Yallingup Beach

The future of the Australian surfing scene is in good hands, with a new set of young grommets taking on the Yallingup surf for the 2022 Taj’s Small Fries competition last weekend. With a record number of entrants, and waves more than triple the size of some of the youngsters, Former world champion and event namesake Taj Burrow said he was proud of everyone’s efforts over the three day tournament. “This is definitely the biggest Shallows we’ve ever surfed, and the swell has got progressively bigger. I’m so proud of the kids for getting out there and well done to all the winners and finalists,” he said. The two major prizes for the under 16s division were both won by South West locals with Yallingup’s Otis North taking out the boys category with an incredible 16.35 out of 20. The 15-year-old said he was proud to take out the premier division and be part of such an amazing event. “I’m stoked to win the Small Fries Comp, it’s got a great community vibe. Seeing all the younger groms progress and catching up with friends who’ve travelled to the Comp is awesome,” he said. “We are really lucky to have this event in Yalls (Yallingup), it helps develop all the kids especially as we aren’t travelling. Taj has been an awesome support and I’m so stoked for his and Surfing WA help.” Meanwhile Margaret River’s Willow Hardy finished with 15.50, claiming the top female title yet again after a win in 2020. She said it was a great farewell to her time in Small Fries. “This has always been my favourite event and I’m a little sad this will be my last one,” she said. “The groms were charging, I don’t think I would have paddled out there if I was ten.” The 14 and under’s saw Maverick Wilson of Dunsborough steal a back to back win, who scraped through by less than a point to take out second place Sid Englert from Gracetown. He said he just had to do what he could in the harsh conditions. “It was pretty heavy out there,” he said. “The waves were really hard to catch, and I just knew I had to make the most of my opportunities. I couldn’t hear anything or that I needed a score so I just went for it. ” For the girls, Willow’s sister Olive kept the wins rolling for her family with an incredible 17.75. The 12 and under division brought out some rising stars for the WA surf scene with Cowaramup locals Ace Flynn and Grace Cook taking out the boys and girls sides respectively, each with landslide wins landing them with results in the 17s out of a potential 20. The young guns of the tournament also proved their worth with Trigg’s Banjo Laurie and Margaret River’s Paige Hayward claiming wins in the 10 and under age group. A first time Small Fries competitor, Hayward said she’d happily return. “Thanks to all the girls and everyone cheering us on,” she said. “I’ve loved this so much.” With a variety of prizes up for grabs Sid Englert, Paige Hayward and Secret Harbour’s Rhys Bulloch each walked away with brand new custom Mayhem Surfboards for their outstanding performance efforts throughout the event. Ace Flynn and Indie Siedmiogrodzki of City Beach were awarded the Catch Surf specialty prizes, while Mandurah’s Sunny Higgins and Luca Waddell from Wembly Downs picked up the Globe Encouragement awards for their great sportsmanship.