The NSW Junior Surfing Titles may have been called off, but that hasn't stopped the Illawarra's top youngsters from hitting the waves in recent weeks.
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With their primary competition cancelled due to coronavirus, Surfing NSW launched a web series, in which entrants sent in recent surfing footage.
The event was well received and many of the region's top stars were among the top performers.
Austinmer's Shyla Short took out the 14 girls competition, also winning the Turn of the Event award in her age group, with Gerringong's Tiana Darragh finishing fourth.
While disappointed not to compete in a traditional competition, Short said it was great to still be able to head to the beach and surf for fun.
"I was pretty shocked when I found out the result," Short said. "It was a pretty good event, a lot of fun.
"Mum had to film the video, she missed so many of my good waves which kind of sucked, so I had to use what she got.
"It's been disappointing not being able to compete, but I've still been surfing regularly and I'll keep doing that for fun until events are back."
Short was joined on the top step of the podium by Culburra's Keira Buckpitt, who took out the 16 girls event. Shyla's older sister Zahlia was fourth in that age group and also won the Turn of the Event award.
Gerringong's Lucy Darragh was second in the 12 girls division, while Barrack Point's Joshua Marsh finished third in the 14 boys. Port Kembla's Charli Hurst was awarded fourth-place in the 18 girls event.
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Cameron Mee
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
