NSW pair take glory in Pro Junior event
NSW pair Dakoda Walters and Molly Picklum secured their place in the annals of the Gold Coast Open yesterday with victory in the Pro Junior event at Burleigh Heads.
With clean 1.5m waves pumping through the righthand point break all day to go with light southwesterly winds, Walters (Angourie) and Picklum (Shelly Beach) showed their wares to win the junior men’s and women’s divisions respectively.
Walters tore apart the right-handers all day, putting together a 7.0 (out of a possible 10.00) and a 5.65 for a combined heat total of 12.65.
It was enough to fend off challenges from Joel Vaughan (Bateau Bay), Zack McMahon (Evans Head) and Taj Stokes (Sunshine Coast) in an exciting final heat.
Walters took first place at another Pro Junior event in Cronulla little more than a week ago and was ecstatic to win two in a row for the Australasian series.
“I’m so stoked to take the win,” Walters said. “It was a lot of fun surfing with all the boys, especially in the final. It’s great because this is my second in a row as well.
“I’m excited to show everyone what I’ve got.”
Picklum, the 2019 Junior Australasian Tour leader, was equally impressive in the junior women’s event, defeating Sasha Baker (Sunshine Coast), Bodhi Leigh-Jones and Holly Williams (Sunshine Coast).
Having shone brightly the whole event, she put together a heat score of 13.05 by tearing apart the right-handers on offer at Burleigh Point.
“This is my third Pro Junior win for the year,” Picklum said. “I had some average results this year as well but I went home and recouped and have come back with a lot of energy.
“Having a Pro Junior on the Gold Coast is awesome for us.
“I was stoked to be consistent throughout the event and get some high heat scores together.”
The World Qualifying Series event begins today.