The surname Harrison proved to be a winning trait at the 2022 Lake Mac City Pro Junior at Redhead Beach at the weekend.

Tweed Coast youngster Marlon claimed the boys’ final while Victorian Ellie proved unstoppable in the girls’ decider.

The duo, competing in the first stop on the 2022 World Surf League (WSL) Australia/Oceania Junior Series – and part of Surfest, overcame a huge international field in two-to-four-foot waves to give their World Junior Championship qualification campaigns a perfect start. 

Marlon Harrison had his work cut out for him, facing some high-quality opponents who posted massive scores all event.

The young gun, however, played a patient game, only catching two waves to post his winning heat total of 14.27 (out of a possible 20).

“That was nerve racking,” he said.

“I’ve never had a heat win where I only caught two waves to win it.

“It wasn’t a strategy.

“I just felt really calm all weekend and knew I had to be on the two best waves.”

To clinch the win, he had to take down the in-form trio of Saxon Reber, Oscar Berry and Taj Stokes in the final. 

Ellie Harrison, on the other hand, was the woman to beat at Redhead Beach.

She posted the highest score of the entire event in her opening heat and keeping that form running throughout the tournament.

In the decider, she kept a rampaging Sierra Kerr at bay, as she seemed destined to win, with a solid showing on finals day.

In the end though, Harrison got the job done and started the season on top of the WSL Australia/Oceania Junior rankings.  

“I caught too many bad ones at the start,” she said.

“I was fully frothing and wanted every wave. 

“It took a while to get going though.

“I’m very happy with my performance this weekend.

“Now, I’m looking forward to coming back to Newcastle for the QS5,000 and trying to get more points to qualify for the Challenge Series.”

Harrison prevailed from Kerr, Willow Hardy and Jordy Halford to take the win. 

2022 SURFEST PROGRAM

• Saturday 19 – Sunday 20 March: Sanbah Cadet Cup supported by Ocean and Earth South (Bar Beach)
• Thursday 25 – Friday 25 March: Surfest High Schools Team Challenge (Merewether Beach)
• Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 March: Wandiyali Indigenous Classic (Merewether Beach)
• Tuesday 29 March – Sunday 3 April: City of Newcastle Pro presented by Burton Automotive (Merewether Beach)
• Tuesday 29 March – Sunday 3 April: AAP Consulting Women’s Pro (Merewether Beach)
• Friday 1 April: Evolution Charity Cup supporting Mark Hughes Foundation             

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