December 2nd, 2023: The Tasmanian Junior Surfing Team, led by Head Coach Dustin Hollick, Team Manager Jo Goldfinch and support crew Dan Gardner and Anna Beach, will take away valuable lessons and an unforgettable experience after a week spent on Phillip Island at this year’s Woolworths Australian Junior Surfing Titles.
BELOW: Team Tassie thanks to the Carbine Club Tasmania
https://www.carbineclubtasmania.com.au/
Whilst the likes of Cowan Duncan, Marvin Freeman and Ava Carlton had experience in national-level competition, the vast majority of the team where stepping into the ‘fire’ for the first time.
After a testing start to the week in poor conditions, the team made steady improvements throughout the competition period. Young Clifton Beach natural-footer Jess Gardner missed out on progression in the under 16 Girls division by under a point while Freeman and Duncan both put on strong performances in their under-14 and 16 draw and were unlucky not to advance.
2024 State Junior Squad:
Jess Gardner
Charlotte Beach
Amelie Brown
Ava Carlton
Bo Ellis
Duke Armstong
Sunny Hollick
Sam de Salis
Tom Tiemans
Joe Pugh
Cowan Duncan
Marvin Freeman
BELOW: Marv Freeman in action
In their downtime on the Island, the group spent time being coached at Smiths Beach or Woolamai where they made solid advances in their ability to not only surf a wave but how to maximise their surfing during a heat. Morale was always high in both the ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ houses, especially around dinner time when the group came together to do daily video review sessions.
BELOW: Charlotte Beach hits the lip
The team left their best for last, outscoring the last two Tasmanian squads in the State Tag team event on the second last day of competition, only just falling short of beating South Australia.
