Talented northern Illawarra surfers Billie Melinz and Luke Wrice were impressive against a top class next generation field to win the Summer Surf Series at Werri Beach.
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The championships for under 16s and 18s is held over 13 rounds with Kiama hosting the fifth round at iconic Werri Beach plus Kiama Surf Beach and Bombo.
Coalcliff's Billie Melinz won the four girl under-16s final with some devastating front-side snaps and carves.
The natural-footer posted a 14.5 out of 20 heat total to beat Barrack Heights' Kiara Meredith with North Wollongong's Summer Longbottom, making it an Illawarra trifecta.
Melinz represented Australia at the World Junior Championships in Ecuador last September and is using the Summer Surf Series as preparation for next week's Australian Junior Surfing Titles. Meanwhile, Coledale's Luke Wrice executed a series of critical aerials in his under-18s boys final to take the Kiama event.
Wrice, who won the NSW School Surfing crown at Port Macquarie last August, never gave his rival finalists a chance after posting a heat total of 16.17 in an outstanding performance. Sydney and Central Coast surfers dominated the other age divisions with Sandon Whittaker (Avoca) snatching the under-16s boys division with a winning wave in the last minute of the heat.
Avoca clubmate Kirra-Belle Olsson made amends for two runner-up finishes in previous NSW Summer Surf Series events by winning the under 18s girls title. Run by Surfing Australia, the Summer Surf Series was created this year to fill a competition void for top class junior surfers.
