08-07-2025
Geraldton set to host World Junior Windsurfing Championship grand final
Some of the world's best young windsurfers are set to hit the waves on one of the windiest stretches of the West Australian coastline.
Geraldton, 400 kilometres north of Perth, will host the World Wave grand final of the Junior World Windsurfing Championships in January — the first time the event will be held outside Europe.
Competitors from around the world will take to the waves from January 10–18.
World Wave Tour director Simeon Glasson said it was a landmark moment for the sport.
"Bringing the grand final to Western Australia reflects our global vision for youth windsurfing and highlights Geraldton's world-class wind and wave conditions," he said.
Western Australia had seven junior windsurfers who finished in the world's top 10 rankings in 2024.
Geraldton Windsurfing Club president Peter Kenyon said securing the event was a huge coup for the town.
"It's amazing; to wrestle it from the European circuit is a big achievement in itself," he said.
"In the past couple of years, we've actually had a real increase in events in Geraldton.
"It's really great to help the local community and windsurfing community to display what we've got."
Depending on conditions, heats will be held across Sunset Beach, Spot X (Oakajee), or Coronation Beach.
With the cost of travelling to Europe to compete, Mr Kenyon said the event being held locally would be a huge boost for home-grown competitors.
"Having the under-18 world titles in Geraldton allows the Australian kids to compete," he said.
"The event quite often has been in Europe, and the cost of travel to Europe is quite expensive, and for most of us, that is outside our budget.
"It's showcasing the local talent in Geraldton and it gives our juniors an opportunity to compete without having to travel overseas."
Mr Kenyon's daughter, Sarah, followed her father and family friends into the sport and is ranked number one in junior girls on the World Wave Tour.
Sarah said it would be a special moment to compete at home.
"It means a lot to me," she said.
"I get to compete somewhere where I've been training so much and just to use those conditions to my advantage is pretty cool as well."
Much like a football or a cricket team might experience a home-field advantage at their regular ground, Sarah said riding her home waves would be a big boost too.
"I just know where to position myself and everything like that," she said.
"And also, just because we have such great waves it will be so cool to make the most of them."
