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The ISA World Junior Surfing Championship was held this year at Punta Rocas, Peru, and it was the biggest edition of the event to date. Nearly 400 competitors took part across the Under 16 and Under 18 divisions, for both boys and girls, making it one of the most competitive junior world events we’ve ever seen.
With such a large field and a location that is essentially a single main peak, one of the biggest changes this year was the competition format. The event followed a WSL style structure, with only one repechage round. Surfers who won their opening heat advanced straight into Round 2, while those who didn’t had one last chance in repechage to earn their way back into the main draw. From that point on, it was straight elimination, unlike previous years where multiple non elimination rounds ran all the way through to the finals.
We saw this as a huge positive. Junior competition is about gaining experience and learning skills that carry into future careers on the WSL, which follows the same format. It’s also the structure most of these athletes are already familiar with from competing at home.
Managing Crowded Lineups & High-Pressure Environments
With the increase in competitors and the two podiums positioned so close together, the free surf sessions before and during the event were some of the most crowded and dangerous lineups I’ve ever seen at a World Championships.
Our goal as a team was to approach this without expectation, focusing simply on learning the lineup, identifying where the best waves were breaking (even if we weren’t on them), and positioning without the stress of catching waves. The entire team handled this challenge brilliantly, showing maturity and discipline well beyond their years.
Performance, Resilience & Growth
Throughout the competition, the team performed extremely well. A few surfers were unlucky with scores or decisions that didn’t go their way and in my opinion should have, but that’s surfing and what stood out was how they handled it, heads held high, professionalism on display, and a clear desire to learn and improve. They walked away motivated, hungry, and ready to keep training and pushing forward.
Lukas’ Final – Composure Under Pressure
Lukas moved up an age division this year into the Under 18s and once again made the final, his third consecutive final at this event which is absolutely incredible. Throughout the competition, he showed an exceptional ability to adapt, performing in both scrappy conditions and high quality heats. His decision making under pressure and constant adjustments were inspiring to watch.
The final started strong for all competitors. Lukas remained patient, playing the waiting game and capitalising on his first scoring opportunity after holding priority. At Punta Rocas, wave selection was absolutely critical. With multiple swells running, many sets that looked promising often turned into burgers. The lefts offered opportunities but didn’t produce as many high scores, making patience even more important.
Knowing that priority couldn’t be wasted and that there might only be one more wave with real scoring potential, Lukas trusted his instincts and waited. Everyone including Lukas himself had no doubt that if the wave came, he would deliver the score. Unfortunately, the ocean didn’t provide that final opportunity for him, but he walked away with the standout performances of the event and earned the respect of competitors and spectators alike, not just for his surfing, but for the way he carries himself in and out of the water.
Full Circle in Peru
Overall, Peru was an incredible experience. It holds a special place in my heart, as it’s where I competed at a Junior World Championships myself when I was 18. The place has changed immensely over the years, but the waves were just as good as I remembered and it was incredibly rewarding to return, this time as a coach, watching the next generation grow on the world stage better than ever before.
English Junior Team Head Coach & Tiki Team Rider
