Arch Rayner takes home first in Under 14s

ROUND 2 of the 2023 Woolworths Victorian Junior Surfing Titles continued at Bells Beach with excellent waves and breathtaking surfing being produced throughout Sunday. 

It was clear from the start of the day that Willem Watson (McCrae) was in a good rhythm with the ocean and still carrying momentum from his Round 1 win at Phillip Island. In Quarterfinal One, Watson put together the highest combined heat total of the entire event, 19.00 points (out of a possible 20 points), posting a perfect 10 (out of a possible 10) point ride along with a 9-point ride.

Watson continued his run onto the final where he had a close battle against Day 1’s inform surfer, Lucas Hickson (Rye). Watson started off the heat strong using a progressive attack off the lip to score a 7-point ride and the early lead. Hickson was patiently waiting for almost half the heat to receive the highest score of the heat, an 8.33-point ride. This left him with a minor score to get into first, however

Watson continued his attack on the heat with multiple powerful manoeuvres to score a 7.33-point ride and an 8.03-point ride and the win in the final moments of the final.

With Bells Beach pumping on the low tide the Under 14 Girls stepped up to the amazing conditions, charging through the whole final. Rose Holland (Dromana) stood out amongst her competition posting the second perfect 10-point ride of the day. Holland dropped into one of the biggest waves that rolled through the point and squared off the bottom to demolish the lip three times over on the wave. 

Scarlett Rennie (Cape Woolamai) made a late run for the win with an impressive 8-point ride; however, it was too late as it left her still needing a 9-point ride to make her way to the top. With the rest of the field in a combination situation for first, when all other competitors need two new scoring rides, Holland was left to claim the win.

Other round winners include Sarsha Pancic (Blairgowrie, Under 18 Girls), Jerry Kelly (Barwon Heads, Under 16 Boys) and Arch Rayner (Inverloch, Under 14 Boys).

Finals results:

U18 Girls: 1st - Sarsha Pancic (Blairgowrie), 13.70; 2nd - Eva Bassed (Sandy Point), 12.37;3rd - Mia Holland (Dromana), 10.27

U18 Boys: 1st - Willem Watson (McCrae), 15.40; 2nd - Lucas Hickson (Rye), 15.30; 3rd - Willis Droomer (Jan Juc), 12.07

U16 Girls: 1st - Ava Holland (Dromana), 18.17; 2nd - Sara Hickson (Rye), 18.04; 3rd - Sophie Wilkinson (Shoreham), 16.80 and 4th - Lillian Bassed (Sandy Point), 12.80

U16 Boyse: 1st - Jerry Kelly (Barwon Heads), 18.76; 2nd - Remy Filer (Jan Juc), 15.57; 3rd - Rye Cicero (Sandy Point), 13.74

U14 Girls: 1st - Rose Holland (Dromana), 17.00; 2nd - Scarlett Rennie (Cape Woolamai), 12.40; 3rd - Chloe Muscroft (Jan Juc), 10.60 and 4th - Evie lutz (Cowes), 9.17

U14 Boys: 1st - Arch Rayner (Inverloch), 10.10; 2nd - Kai Coleman (Mount Duneed), 9.77; 3rd - Angus Kennedy (Cowes), 8.77

Results and scores from the event can be accessed via surfingvic.com/live

Final Round: Mornington Peninsula – March 25 and 26