Hardy lands Pro Junior win in wave-starved final

Margaret River’s Willow Hardy has claimed a big win in the women’s final of the Peel Pro Junior in Mandurah over the weekend.

Competitors were greeted to clean 3-4 foot waves at Avalon Point with a big crowd out to witness the memorable finals day.

Hardy captured victory ahead of fellow Western Australian Isi Campbell (Denmark), in a wave-starved 30 minute matchup.

Hardy’s wave selection and critical manoeuvres earned her a winning total of 9.00 (from a possible 20), edging out Campbell’s final score of 6.50.

Hardy’s win is her first on the WSL Pro Junior Series, moving her to fifth place on the rankings, solidifying her position as force to be reckoned with leading into the Cape Naturaliste Pro in Yallingup later this week.

“Isi is one of my best friends so it’s always nice to share a final with her,” she said after the final.

“I came into the event with no pressure really, I haven’t competed in a Pro Junior event this year, with my focus on the Qualifying Series and hopefully making the Challenger Series next year.

“I really love surfing here at Avalon and I couldn’t be happier right now.”

The result from Campbell is her best on the WSL Junior Series and gives her great confidence heading into the Qualifying Series event in Yallingup starting this Thursday.

“I’m pretty stoked to make the final and to do it with Willow was pretty cool, we’ve competed against each other from the start and it’s moments like this we’ll remember forever,” Campbell said.

“To have an all West Australian final is amazing, it was just a shame we didn’t get the best waves to showcase what we can do.”

In the Men’s final, Marlon Harrison (Coolangatta, QLD), clinched the Junior title with a commanding display of skill and strategy.

Harrison was the form surfer throughout the event and brought his best to the final, posting a combined two-wave total of 17.36 points (out of 20), which included two excellent scores of 8.83 and a 8.53.

The event marked the start of the WA Pro Surf Series, with the attention now focused on Yallingup for the Cape Naturaliste Pro QS1000 event.