LOCAL SURFERS RIP IT UP
BARWON Heads surfing sensation Charlie Farrer saved his best effort for last, clinching a state title in a thrilling finish on Sunday.
Farrer secured the under18 boys’ division at the Victorian Junior Surfing Titles at Jan Juc Beach, pipping fellow local Ethan Huxtable.
Jan Juc’s Mia Huppatz was the standout performer in the under-18 girls’ division, walking away with the title.
With the final days of the competition held in 2-3 foot favourable conditions, competitors enjoyed the fun but tricky waves on offer.
Huxtable was impressive, with the Jan Juc star ripping waves all weekend.
Huxtable found himself in the final with a combined heat total of 13.27 and in the lead, until Farrer stole the lead in the dying seconds of the heat.
With the heat drawing to a close, Farrer stroked into a left-hander and produced a well-deserved 6.93 (out of a possible 10), taking him into first position, and winning the division.
“The conditions were quite fun out there,” Farrer said
“I was lucky to have snuck that wave in the last few minutes of the heat, and am stoked to take out the win.”
Huppatz won her division with a combined heat total of 8.77. She showed some smart surfing with nice powerful manoeuvres.
“Conditions became tricky in the under-18 girls’ final, with backwash creating a lump in the water,” Huppatz said. “I managed to get a couple, though.”
Not far behind Huppatz was Minni Vorrath, who required a 4.61 to improve on her situation, and advance into first position.
Other standouts from the weekend’s competition included Jack Bassett (Barwon Heads), Eva Bassed (Sandy Point), Sara Hickson (Mornington) and Rye Cicero (Sandy Point).