By Michael Roberts | posted on February 23, 2021
Saving young grommets from ‘extreme boredom’, the Albany Boardriders Junior Wavefest is back next month for a packed day of gnarly surfing action.
This year’s competition will be held on the weekend of March 27th or 28th, with location and timing dependent on weather conditions.
To enter the event, you need to register online at albanysurf.com by March 8.
The next generation of surfing stars will be judged on the “most critical, radical manoeuvre done with speed and style”, according to Albany Boardriders President David Beeck.
“For the kids that are competitive they get to show how good they are,” he said.
“If there’s any really young kids we can help them get a wave.
“That makes their day when everyone is watching and claps.”
Mr Beeck hopes local surfers will support the event after last year’s competitions were cancelled because of COVID-19.
“A lot of people fell off the radar, but hopefully they come back,” he said.
“There were so many people surfing during Covid, it was one of the only things you could do.”
Heading into the cooler months, Mr Beeck said it was the perfect time for surfing on the south coast.
“Autumn is the best time of year for surfing down here,” he said.
“Ideally the comp will be at Ocean Beach because there’s a viewing platform where all the parents can watch.”
Mr Beeck said plans to build an artificial reef break along Middleton Beach would take the guesswork out of organising events like the Junior Wavefest.
The State Government has already chipped in $5 million for the $9.5 million project, but the remainder hasn’t been sourced.
Heading into next month’s State Election, the WA Liberals have promised to fund the $4.5 million gap if elected, but no other political party has made a similar commitment.
