STARS TO WATCH

ALLIE HUGHES Tugun

Last year Hughes showed why she’ll be one to watch out down the track, winning the under-11 ironwoman and surf board, before placing fourth in the surf race. The Tugun youngster will be lining up in an impressive 10 events across the three days of action.

AVA USHER Currumbin

An incredible performance at last year’s championships saw Currumbin’s Usher pick up nine medals across the weekend, including four golds, two silvers and three bronze. She’ll play a key role in Currumbin’s bid to win back-toback club titles.

NELL THOMAS Tweed Heads & Coolangatta

Thirteen-year-old Thomas will tackle the largest program of any local competitor, having signed up for an incredible 15 events including the under-14 beach flags, ironwoman, surf board, and surf race, among others.

ZACH KING Currumbin

King capped off an impressive championships last year, taking home three gold medals including wins in the prestigious under-14 ironman and surf race. He’ll be hoping to add more gold to his collection this year.

MATILDA BEIKOFF-SMART Pacific

SLSQ’s reigning Under-14 Surf Lifesaver of the Year (right) will be putting her skills to the test across the titles. Beikoff-Smart will hit the surf and sand in eight events at the championships.

RUBY MEEHAN Currumbin

Meehan will be looking to go one better than last year after picking up silver in the under-14 ironwoman. The upand-comer also won gold in the surf board final.

TAHLIE DEVINE Kurrawa

Last year Devine won gold in the under-13 beach sprint and she’ll line up again this year in the hopes of going back-to-back. The talented athlete will also be competing in another nine events across the weekend.

CLAUDIA BAILEY Mermaid Beach

A raft of consistent performances last year saw Bailey pick up six top-eight finishes, including gold medals in the under-13 female surf team and surf board relay. The talented youngster recently represented Queensland in the Youth Pathway Cup.

EUAN LYNCH Northcliffe

Another of the sport’s rising stars, Lynch took out the under-13 ironman at last year’s championships and placed second in the surf board final. He was also part of the team who claimed gold in the under-13 surf team final.

JACK EVELEIGH Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park

Eveleigh will be eager to make the most of his local knowledge when he lines up at home to contest this year’s Youth Championships. Last year he won silver in both the under-14 ironman and surf race finals.