Rising stars head north for windsurfing titles

Australia’s next generation of windsurfing champions are set to kickstart their world title dreams with a perfect wind and wave forecast for the Jaffle Shack Oceania Youth Wave Titles, happening on this weekend in Geraldton.

This prestigious 5 star event is the first in the 2025 youth World Windsurfing Wave tour and will see fierce competition as the youth loop and aerial their way to the top of the rankings list.

“The Australian youth talent is incredible and the windsurfing world has underestimated just how good these kids are. I really believe some of these current Australian youth could be world champions one day,” Director of the World Windsurfing Wave Tour, Simeon Glasson said.

The Pro Junior Men’s showdown has a stacked lineup and Margaret River’s Jake Ghiretti will face tough competition from last year’s winner, Perth’s Oliver Desforges (19), Latvia’s Valters Videnieks (19) and Perth’s Ben Illett (17).

Despite studying for ATAR in 2024 and missing key events, Ghiretti still managed to finish sixth in the world in the Junior Boys and will be chasing a win here to lead into his first full time year on tour.

“Some of us are doing the world windsurfing tour and it’s very far to travel from WA, so it’s vital for us that we have a competition in Geraldton where we can drive up. It’s the perfect spot for me to learn how to do jumps and freestyle moves on the wave face. It really helps to give us an advantage for world tour competition and help our small wave riding, jumps and speccy wave manoeuvres that we can’t learn at some heavier waves in WA,” Ghiretti said.

Busselton’s Santina Pillonel (18) finished third in the event last year, but enjoys competing with close friends, Sarah Kenyon (16) from Geraldton and Jaiya Marns Morris (17) from Perth.

“I really like that there’s a big group of all us, from the top shredders to the new groms from all over to do the comp and camp,” Pillonel said. “You get to meet lots of cool people that you’ve never met. I also like that we have it in Geraldton – it’s a good change of scenery and nice to windsurf and wave ride in a different spot. That helps me to develop new skills.”

In the under 15 boys, Max Ford from Margaret River will see if he can improve on his runner up finish last year to take out the Regional Title.

Now in its third consecutive year, the event has become a pivotal opportunity for young Australian windsurfers to gain a strong foothold in the world and regional rankings.

The event follows with a Junior Windsurf Camp at Coronation Beach, where youth are trained in new windsurfing moves and skills by experienced instructors, including some of WA’s top young athletes.

Major sponsors of the event include City of Greater Geraldton and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. Event information and results will be posted on social media channels (Instagram & Facebook: @oceaniayouthtitles). Spectators are welcome to watch this free event from the beach.