Smith was one of six of the nation’s best young riders to claim a title on finals day, an even famous for producing future world tour competitors, including two-time champion Tyler Wright, brother Owen and high-profile Gerroa product Sally Fitzgibbons. 

Smith edged out Matt Boyle by just 1.07 in a hotly contested final. Molly Picklum from Shelly Beach claimed her second title from as many events in 2019, taking out the under 16 event.

After winning at Stradbroke Island, Picklum continued her amazing form to win against another NSW entrant Carly Shanahan, who had been outstanding throughout the three-day event. 

Picklum kept busy throughout the final, catching 11 waves to finish with a total of 14.06, enough to win. 

It was a tactic which also proved successful for Western Australia’s Finn Cox who won the Australian boys under 16 title, who took on 12 waves to earn a 13.27 two-wave score. Victoria’s Jazz Wylie prevailed against Queenslander Lilliana Bowrey, in what was a superb under 14 final, decided by just 0.96. Willow Hardy (Margaret River, WA) showed that she would potentially be a future threat in the years to come, winning the under 12 girls final against Quincy Symonds from Tweed Heads. 

Queensland’s Chez Bos surfed well beyond his under 12 division, executing a handful of decent forehand snaps and carves against Japanese raider Yuma Nagasawa.