19 January, 2014 – The ninth edition of Taj’s Small Fries wrapped up in sensational style today in Yallingup, Western Australia. Competitors revelled in the fun 2-3ft peaks on offer at Shallows and performances reached their peak as the stakes were raised.
In the blue ribbon boys 16 & under division Sunshine Coast goofy-footer Reef Heazlewood edged local hope and red-hot favourite Shaun Manners (Margaret River, WA) in a closely contested final.
Setting the agenda early Heazlewood opened with a long series of smooth forehand arcs to lock in the highest score of the heat, a 7.75, on his first wave. Manners, stuck to the bowly right across the channel and had no shortage of waves in the 5-8pt range, but couldn’t quite find the big score he needed to break Heazlewood’s lead.
When Heazlewood linked together another long left, punctuated with a huge layback snap to finish, the prestigious title was his. Manners finished second, with Jack Thomas (Yallingup, WA) third and Ace Van Peer (Mandurah, WA) fourth.
“This is the second time I’ve come to Yallingup for the Small Fries and to now win the event is amazing.” Heazlewood said. “The waves, the people, everything is just so fun, I can’t wait to come back.” He said.
Emi Campbell (Denmark, WA) added a Taj’s Small Fries trophy to her mantle when she accounted for Mia McCarthy (Margaret River, WA), Bailee Hastiee (Margaret River, WA) and Phoebe McGregor (Yallingup, WA) in the final of the 16 & Under girls division.
Campbell and McCarthy exchanged the lead a number of times before the national under 16 girls champ made the title her own with the highest score of the final, an 8.75, securing the win. “I’ve been down here in Yallingup training with Claire Bevilacqua over the holidays and working hard towards this win.” Campbell said.
In the final of the 14 & under boys two Bali-based surfers, Kian Martin and Sonny Perrussel, took on homegrown talents Luke Glover (Caloundra, QLD) and Cyrus Cox (Margaret Rover, WA). With a pair of seven-point waves it was Perrussel who came out on top when the final hooter went, from smooth goofy-footer Cox, and Glover and Martin rounding out the minor placings.
Perrussel who has now competed twice in the Taj’s Small Fries event, will be heading back to Canggu telling all his his friends about the competition. “To travel here from Indonesia and surf in a final with Kian is great, but to win is even better.” Perrussel said.
Martin wasn’t upset with his fourth place finish for long though, and turned things around in the last heat of the day to demolish the field defending his title in the 12 & under division. With minutes remaining in the competition
Martin earned the event’s only perfect 10, for smashing one of a million rights the young ripper caught over the course of the weekend. Wearing the top seed’s red rash vest from day one Martin impressed everyone with his endless enthusiasm, cheeky smile and enormous talent.
Mirroring Martin’s run through the two younger age brackets was South Coaster-turned-Bali resident Summa Longbottom, who cleaned up in both the 14 & under and 12 & under girls to steal two trophies, and the hearts of everyone involved with the contest.
16 & Under Girls
Emi Campbell (14.50)
Mia McCarthy (12.90)
Bailee Hastie (10.75)
Phoebe McGregor (7.45)
16 & Under Boys
Reef Heazlewood (15.10)
Shaun Manners (13.60)
Jack Thomas (12.60)
Ace Van Peer (9.25)
14 & Under Girls
Summa Longbottom (11.20)
April McPherson (9.00)
Alice Field (7.90)
Lily Shepherd (3.25)
14 & Under Boys
Sonny Perrussel (14.50)
Cyrus Cox (13.35)
Luke Glover (11.35)
Kian Martin (10.2)
12 & Under Girls
Summa Longbottom (15.60)
Emma Cattlin (11.65)
Holly Minter (8.90)
Pemba Spargo (8.05)
12 & Under Boys
Kian Martin (18.50)
Josh Grange (13.75)
Seth Van Haeften (13.45)
Fin Coxx (10.75)
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