Young Wannanup surfer Maverick Wilson made the most of his home-break advantage as he scored himself a pair of victories in round two of the WA Junior Surfing Titles at Mandurah's Pyramids Beach over the weekend.
More than 100 of Western Australia's finest young surfers hit the Peel coastline for the event, with Maverick picking up his wins in small, challenging, but highly contestable waves at Pyramids.
The youngster proved he's a star on the rise, winning the under 14 grommet boys and under 12 micro groms divisions in an impressive performance on his home break.
Maverick took down Macklin Flynn (Cowaramup), Otis North (Yallingup) and his brother Phoenix Wilson (Wannanup) in the under 14s final, and was too good for Ace Flynn (Cowaramup), Remy North (Yallingup) and Okie Fraser (Margaret River) in the under 12s.
"I've been away in Bali surfing all school holidays so it was strange surfing with a wetsuit on and with all this seaweed" the young gun said after his finals.
"I'm happy the waves turned up for finals day and I'm stoked to put in a good performance on the local break."
Maverick and his brother were not the only Peel locals to shine at home, with Paige Sanders finishing fourth in the under 14 grom girls division.
All surfers battled hard with the chance to represent WA at the Australian Junior Surfing Titles on the line, including Margaret River's Finn Cox who surfed with speed and precision to take out the blue ribbon under 18 junior boys final.
"It's a great confidence boost to win here in tough conditions," Cox said.
"I'm off to Costa Rica for the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final next month so it's great to get a win under the belt before heading away."
Yallingup's Emma Cattlin overcame a painful Cobbler sting to capture victory in the under 18s Junior Girls division, while Jake Hagan (Geraldton) used powerful carves and stylish top turns to win the under 16s cadet boys final.
Margaret River's Zali Hewson was too strong in the under 16s cadet girls division, with her victory securing her the 2019 state championship title, while Ruby Berry (Augusta) won the under 14s grommet girls division.
Surfing Western Australia's events manager Justin Majeks acknowledged the efforts of all the competitors, parents, officials and supporters who made the weekend a resounding success.
"It's been another great opportunity to watch some of the awesome young talent that is emerging here in WA," he said.
"The waves at Pyramids have really brought out the best in some of our young chargers and I'd like to congratulate our all winners and finalists for their efforts."