NATADOLA BEACH, FIJI — Fiji’s young surfers Niko Muller and Havana Kurop delivered standout performances at the inaugural Oceania Youth Cup, winning the Under-18 boys’ and girls’ titles respectively.
Muller, from Sonaisali, and Kurop, who hails from Wailoaloa in Nadi, led a strong campaign by Team Fiji. Their victories helped showcase the country’s rising profile in Pacific surfing.
The competition was part of the first Oceania Youth Development Program, hosted by the Fiji Surfing Association. The event was held in partnership with the International Surfing Association (ISA) and supported by Olympic Solidarity and the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee.
Junior surfers from seven countries participated in the week-long event. They received elite coaching from ISA professional trainers and Olympians who served as mentors. Representing Fiji in both the development camp and the competitive field were Kurop, Muller, Valerio Nawatu, and head coach Lesi Navuwai.
At the same time, the ISA conducted its fourth annual Continental Youth Athlete Development Program in Fiji. The program focused on empowering young surfers and coaches from developing nations in the Oceania region.
With support from Olympic Solidarity, the program brought together 15 under-18 surfers from eight countries. They underwent a week of intensive training and mentorship, both in the water and through classroom sessions.
Olympic surfer Michel Bourez and ISA coaching expert Lee Ryan led the training, which covered key topics like judging, mental preparation, contest strategy, and video analysis. Olympians Saffi Vette and Leilani McGonagle also joined as mentors.
Previously held in the Americas, Africa, and Asia, this year’s program was run in collaboration with the Oceania Surfing Federation and the Fiji Surfing Association. Regional coaches also took part in specialized training to help build sustainable development in their home countries.