Cape Woolamai, VIC/AUS — Sunday, 11 May 2025: The final round of the 2025 No TXT No Wrecks Victorian Junior Surfing Titles wrapped up at Cape Woolamai over the weekend, with standout performances from Victoria’s top young surfers. Ava Holland (Dromana) and Jerry Kelly (Barwon Heads) claimed victory in the Under-18 division for Round 3. Holland’s dominant run also secured her the Under-18 Girls State Title, while Jarvis Barrow (Jan Juc) was crowned the Under-18 Boys State Champion based on consistent results across the season.
Day One: Smiths Beach Showcases U14 Talent
The opening day took place under sunny skies at Smiths Beach, where 2-foot waves offered ideal conditions for the Under-14 Boys and Girls Finals.
The Boys Final was tightly contested, with all four surfers in the title hunt. Harlem Pec (Jan Juc) started strong, scoring a 4.67 followed by a 5.83 for sharp backhand maneuvers. While Alby O’Day (Torquay) kept pressure on with single-turn rides, it was Teddy Robertson (Torquay) who surged mid-heat with consistent 4-point rides. Pec pushed ahead with a 6.17, but Robertson answered late with a high-risk aerial that scored a 6.97, sealing both the Round 3 victory and the overall State Title.
In the Girls Final, Estella Carbonelli (Jan Juc) set the pace with a 5.33 and later boosted her total with a 7.17. However, Scarlett Rennie (Cape Woolamai) stole the lead late with a commanding 8.33 ride featuring a powerful backhand combo. Carbonelli couldn’t match it in her final attempt, giving Rennie the round win. Nevertheless, Carbonelli’s earlier wins earned her the overall Under-14 Girls State Title.
Day Two: Bigger Stakes and Changing Venue
With a drop in swell at Smiths Beach, the event shifted to Cape Woolamai for Day Two, offering more consistent conditions for the Under-16 and Under-18 divisions.
In the Under-16 Girls Final, Rose Holland (Dromana) chose the less-popular left-handers and made it count with a smooth 7.33, later securing an 8.67 for a dynamic forehand snap. That performance earned her both the round win and the State Title, edging out Chloe Muscroft (Jan Juc), who briefly led with two mid-range scores.
The Boys Under-16 Final was equally dramatic. George Everest (Bittern) posted a solid 6.33 early with clean backhand surfing. Kato Mogi (Belmont) stayed close, overtaking Everest briefly with a 5.40. In the final minutes, Mogi used his priority to catch a decisive wave, scoring a 7.17 and clinching both the round win and the State Title.
Under-18 Finals Deliver High Drama and Perfect Scores
The Under-18 Girls Final was a showcase of power surfing. Sara Hickson (Rye) opened with a 7.67 for strong backhand work, but Ava Holland (Dromana) stole the show. She landed a perfect 10.00 for a four-turn sequence on a right-hander, then followed it with a 6.83 to take the lead. Another powerful wave netted her an 8.17, putting the rest of the field in a combination situation and securing her the win—and the overall State Title.
“It was a really fun final with a lot of waves,” said Holland. “It’s always great to be out there with my best friends and competing together.”
The Boys Final featured a seesaw battle. Remy Filer (Jan Juc) opened with a 6.83, while Tarvi Woods (Fingal) and Jerry Kelly (Barwon Heads) traded solid rides. Kelly stepped up with an 8.17, and Filer replied with a 7.27 to briefly retake the lead. But Kelly closed the heat with an 8.50 for a critical forehand layback, securing the Round 3 win. Although Kelly triumphed in the final event, Jarvis Barrow’s consistency across the series earned him the Under-18 Boys State Title.
“I had the left all to myself and just kept finding those bowly sections,” said Kelly. “After a rough result at Bells, it feels amazing to come back and win here.”