Cabarita surfer defies age to claim title
A CABARITA teen claimed a pro junior surfing title by just a tenth of a point in Newcastle on Sunday.
Despite being just 13 years of age, rising star Zahli Kelly posted a 12.90 combination in 2-3ft surf at Merewether Beach, Newcastle, to outscore Hawaiian teen Summer Macedo on 12.80, on her way to claiming the title.
The distance education student, who's coached by former dual world junior champion James Wood, said she was a bit shocked by her win.
"I feel a bit surprised. I can't believe I won,” Kelly said.
"I thought I left my run a bit late in the final, (but) I got my two best waves in the last eight minutes.”
Kelly, who drew a WSL wildcard for the Junior Pro, has been racking up the kilometres between her Cabarita home and Newcastle.
In late January, she took out the Maitland and Port Stephens Toyota Wildcard Trials to claim a spot in the Anditi Women's Pro that gets underway at Merewether beach on Monday week, where she'll surf in the round of 48 against elite tour world number five Johanne Defay.
The Billabong team member will be back in Newcastle next Friday as part of the Cabarita team contesting the Australian Boardriders Battle at Newcastle beach.
Kelly, who won the wildcard into this year's Roxy Pro Trials after becoming the 2016 Queensland Junior champion last August at Duranbah, added to her impressive run of titles including the 2016 Queensland Open Championship and a second placing in the 2016 U/18 Australian Titles, with her Pro Junior title.
Kelly's win came with an extra incentive, with equal prize money awarded to boys and girls winners for the very first time.
Fellow Tweed surfer Alyssa Lock also made the final, finishing third with a score of 10.90.
Final Results: Pro Junior
Junior Women
1. Zahli Kelly (Cabarita, NSW) 12.90
2. Summer Macedo (Hawaii) 12.80
3. Alyssa Lock (Snapper Rocks, QLD) 10.90
4. Kiara Meredith (Shell Harbour, NSW) 7.25
Junior Men
1. Liam O'Brien (Burleigh Heads, QLD) 12.75
2. Rio Waida (Indonesia) 12.15
3. Jackson Roberts (Bateau Bay, NSW) 11.10
4. Dextar Muskens (Kirra, QLD) 8.00
