Local surfer Xavier Huxtable has won round two of the under 18 Victorian Junior Surfing Titles, despite a perfect 10-point ride from his opponent on Sunday.
The Jan Juc teen notched up the win at Phillip Island just weeks after earning a wildcard entry into the Bells Beach Rip Curl Pro.
Huxtable beat Newhaven’s Codie Jeffery in a high-scoring final, after nailing early waves of 9.17 and 8.07 for an ultimately insurmountable 17.24 total.
But Jeffrey came close with a 10-point ride, as big swell and moderate offshore winds set the conditions for an epic Sunday of surfing.
Rated second on the WSL Australia and Oceania Pro Junior Series, Huxtable scored a perfect 10-point ride of his own in his semi-final.
“It was epic to surf heats in pumping waves like these,” he said.
“Codie was surfing really well all event, his 10 in the final was awesome to see. I’m really happy to take the win in conditions like this.”
Third position went to Bohdie Williams (Ocean Grove), with Chad Garrett (Cape Woolamai) in fourth place.
The under 18 girls division also saw some aggressive performances, with Torquay’s Angela Ball surfing her signature forehand blasts for a 16.34 total to take a convincing win.
“I had a pretty bad start to this year’s (series),” said Ball.
“I’m really desperate to represent Victoria at the Australian Junior Titles at Margaret River later in the year.”
Barwon Heads’ Ellie Harrison won the under 16 girls division for the second time this year, narrowly edging out Jan Juc’s Mia Huppatz.
The two-time Australian under 14 champion’s moderate score was enough to hold off Huppatz in the dying seconds of their final.
In the under 14 boys Jan Juc’s Willis Droomer locked away back to back wins, taking out fast-starting Barwon Heads grommet Jack Bassett.
Jan Juc’s Isla Huppatz was the sole local finalist in the girls under 14s, coming fourth.
