2025 Junior World Windsurfing Wave Titles + Oceania Youth Events
For the first time in windsurfing history, the World Junior Windsurfing Wave Grand Final will be held outside of Europe — and Geraldton has been chosen to host the prestigious event in January 2026.
“This is a landmark moment for the sport,” said Simeon Glasson, Director of the World Wave Tour (WWT). “Bringing the Grand Final to Western Australia reflects our global vision for youth windsurfing and highlights Geraldton’s world-class wind and wave conditions.”
The decision was made possible thanks to strong backing from the City of Greater Geraldton and the State Government through Tourism WA and Royalty for Regions. Geraldton’s proven success as host of the 5-star Jaffle Shack Oceania Youth Wave Titles for the past three years, along with its family-friendly windsurfing conditions, sealed the deal.
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Jerry Clune said:
“We’re incredibly proud to support the Junior Windsurfing World Wave Grand Final and once again welcome the world’s best junior windsurfers to the Midwest. With our pristine beaches, reliable wind and a welcoming windsurfing community, Geraldton is the perfect stage for a global event like this, and we can’t wait to see our local talent battle it out with competitors from around the world.”
Western Australia has emerged as a powerhouse in junior wave sailing, with seven WA youth finishing in the world’s top 10 in 2024. Local favourite Sarah Kenyon (16), currently ranked No.1 in the world for 2025, will have the home-ground advantage.
“To compete for a wave title in my hometown is a dream come true. I’ve been training hard and can’t wait to welcome the other competitors to Geraldton.”
But the Aussies will face fierce competition, with top youth athletes expected from Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Japan, Morocco, Spain, the USA, and beyond.
The 2025 Junior Grand Final will run from January 10–18, 2026 — timed to align with Australian school holidays and avoid international exam periods. Depending on conditions, heats may be held at Sunset Beach, Spot X (Oakajee), or Coronation Beach.
As a Grand Final, the event will carry 200% world ranking points, with each competitor’s three best results for the season contributing to their final world standing. The winner of the overall rankings will become the 2025 PWA/WWT Junior Wave Champion. To be eligible, athletes must be under 18 as of 31 December 2025.
The event will also run alongside three additional windsurf events, creating ten exciting days of windsurf action in Geraldton. They bring the wider windsurfing community together in a celebration of the Midwest’s reputation as a world class windsurfing destination.
- The Jaffle Shack Oceania Youth Wave Titles, a wave competition for youth aged U13, U15, U18 and U21 years. Held from 12th to 18th January 2026 at the same possible event locations as the U18 Junior World Grand Final.
- A Junior Windsurf Camp that helps to coach windsurf youth aged under 21 of all levels (beginner to advanced). Held 12th-18th January 2026 at Coronation Beach.
- Wave Rally, a huge, fun wave slalom race held at Coronation Beach from 9th to 11th January 2026.
Looking ahead, the Grand Final is expected to rotate globally, with future bids anticipated from Chile, Denmark, Morocco, Peru and Spain. Professional Windsurfers Association (PWA) CEO, Alberto Zschiesche said: “The rotation of events throughout different locations will let youth from a variety of regions shine in their local conditions.”
Additional Information
2025 Junior World Wave Grand Final & Oceania Youth Events
Date: 10-18 January 2026
Disciplines:
- 2025 Junior World Wave Grand U18 Wave Male & Female – open to experienced wavesailing youth aged under 18 as of 31 December, 2025
- 2026 Oceania Youth Wave Events: U13 / U15 / U21 Wave Male & Female
- 2026 Oceania Junior Windsurf Camp: Open to recreational youth windsurfers aged under 21.
Location: Geraldton, Australia
Registration: Open via the Windsurfing WA website https://www.windsurfingwa.org.au/events from 16 September 2025. Note you will need to join Windsurfing WA as a member first and then register for the event.
Competitions & Events: This event has three separate event components that cater for water competent youth aged under 21 years. View www.youtube.com/watch to check what the event is about.
2025 U18 Youth World Grand Final. As a Grand Final, the event will carry 200% world ranking points for the 2025 season, with each competitor’s three best results for the season contributing to their final world standing. The winner of the overall rankings in the boys and girls divisions will become the 2025 PWA/WWT Junior Wave Champion. Competitors need to be under 18 as of Dec 31 2025 to be eligible.
2026 Jaffle Shack Oceania Youth Wave Titles. This event will have 100% world ranking points and results will count for the 2026 season. This event will be held separate to the U18 Junior Grand Final but will be held in part of the same waiting period. Competitors from the U18 Junior World Grand Final may also enter this competition. A minimum of three competitors is required for each division and divisions usually exist for:
- U13 Boys/Girls
- U15 Boys/Girls
- Pro Junior (U21) Boys/Girls
Normally we have run an U18 Boys/Girls division as well, but given we are running the U18s as a 2025 Grand Final, we are not guaranteeing that we will run this division as a second separate event for 2026 world ranking points. If the weather cooperates and we have time and energy, we may choose to run a second U18 event as part of the 2026 rankings, but this is only a possibility, it is NOT a guarantee. Competitors for the 2026 U18 Oceania Youth Wave Titles would need to be under 18 as of December 31, 2026.
Junior Windsurf Camp. A fun, social camp where youth aged under 21 of any skill level in windsurfing are given coaching over two days. Coaching is given in beach starts, waterstarts, harnesses, planing, gybing, tacking, jumping, wave riding, forward loops, backloops, pushloops – whatever it is that the individual youth needs. Note that the camp relies on volunteer parent instruction and support, so we need at least one parent/guardian to volunteer and assist at the event for each family entrant.
General Schedule
- 10-18th January 2026. The U18 Youth Wave Grand Final will take priority for the best 1-2 days of the entire period.
- 12-18th January 2026. The Jaffle Shack Oceania Youth Wave Titles will then be run on the next most suitable 2-day window after completion of the U18 Grand Final.
- 12-18th January 2026. The Junior Windsurf Camp will be run on any two days not taken up with competition. Youth and families are still welcome to windsurf together on non-competing/non-camp days, but there will be no safety or formal coaching providing.
- 15th January 2026. Outdoor Movie night at Coronation Beach
- 17th January 2026. Presentation/party night at Jaffle Shack, 188 Marine Terrace, Geraldton.
Note that Paul Van Bellen’s Wave Rally World Championships runs at Coronation Beach from 9th to 11th January 2026. During that period, our social activities will combine with the Wave Rally. Families are also welcome to enter the Wave Rally, however, U18 competitors are on stand-by to compete for the entire period from 10th- 18th January.
Windsurfing Beaches
- Coronation Beach, Geraldton for the junior windsurf camp and the U13 Oceania Youth Wave event. Coronation Beach has easy, flat water in front, which flows in some soft, small swells that crumble at best. Further out the back is bigger, but still quite soft waves. It’s the perfect place for junior windsurfers of all levels, plus more advanced riders can still loop and waveride out the back. The younger, less experienced competitors can still ride the smaller inside break at Coronations, whilst the more experienced/confident riders can ride out the back. Coronation Beach is around a 30 minute drive north of Geraldton. See www.youtube.com/watch;
- The Spot, Oakajee River Mouth. A popular option for the more advanced riders (eg, U21 Pro Junior, U18 Junior and possibly U15 depending on conditions and skill level). We’re likely to run at the Spot if the swell is small. A 4WD is needed for the Spot, but lifts will be arranged for competitors without a 4WD. It is a 15 minute drive South from Coronation Beach on sand and dirt roads. See www.youtube.com/watch;
Sunset Beach, Geraldton. A great option for the more advanced riders (eg, U21 Pro Junior, U18 Junior and possibly U15 depending on conditions and skill level) when the swell is larger. Has a grassy rigging area, showers, toilets and convenient parking and viewing. Right next to the Sunset Beach Caravan Park. See www.youtube.com/watch and www.youtube.com/watch;
Accommodation
- Coronation Beach Campground https://www.chapmanvalley.wa.gov.au/visit-chapman-valley/where-to-stay-and-eat/places-to-stay.aspx. Camping right at Coronation Beach with long drop toilets, no showers and no power. Suitable for those with full camping gear who want to stay right on the beach. Booking in advance is NOT possible, you just get a camping spot if one is available when you turn up.
- Coropark https://coropark.com.au/. A new campground at Coronation Beach similar to above with no showers and unpowered sites only. Also suitable for those with full camping gear, however, advance bookings ARE possible.
- Goodies Eco-Camp. https://www.goodiesecocamp.com/. Camping near Coronation. Beach with showers, toilets, communal cooking facilities. Suitable for camping and caravans and can be booked in advance.
- Sunset Beach Holiday Park. www.sunsetbeachpark.com.au. A full caravan park situated closer to Geraldton, right on the beach. Has units available, with fridge, beds, TV, microwave and some with a stovetop. Suits those coming from overseas or interstate without camping gear.
- Hotels/Motels: Geraldton also has a large range of hotels/motels.
- Video: Check this accommodation overview video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5w9bbZVzBo
Transport Options to Geraldton
- Arriving into Western Australia. International flights to arrive at Perth airport.
- Flying to Geraldton (one hour). Domestic flights between Perth and Geraldton can be booked on Qantas Airlines or Nexus Airlines. There are multiple flights each day and the flight takes around one hour. You’ll need to catch a bus to the Domestic airport and allow time to do this. However, these planes are often small and may not be able to take windsurf gear.
- Driving to Geraldton (4.5 hours). From Perth airport, get on Tonkin Hwy, State Route 4 (look for Highway names, not numbers generally). Then take National Route 1 and Brand Highway to Geraldton. There are plenty of car hire options at the airport. A 4WD is the recommended option as this is generally useful and safer in Western Australia. However, it is not essential as we will transport youth to The Spot if competing there. Please be aware that kangaroos can jump on to the road at any time and do not drive tired or jet lagged.
- Bus to Geraldton (7-8 hours). Probably not the preferred option with windsurf gear, although the buses can usually take a gear bag if they are not full.
- TransWA. You need to catch a bus from the airport to East Perth Terminal or Midland Station (Stand No 10 – catch bus 290 from Dunreath Drive near the airport, Midland is closest to the airport). TransWA offers multiple daily bus services to Geraldton on their N2 or N3 coachlines. www.transwa.wa.gov.au/
- Integrity. Another bus option is integrity coachlines (northbound line), but this service only operates three times a week and the bus arrives into Geraldton at 1.50am which is not very convenient. www.integritycoachlines.com.au/
Other Western Australian Windsurf Events
- 9th to 11th January, 2026. Wave Rally World Championships, Coronation Beach Geraldton. Paul Van Bellen’s event – open to all competent windsurfers above 12 years.
- 30th January to 9th February 2026. 4-Star Margaret River Wave Classic. Australia’s most significant wavesailing event, with categories for Open, Masters, Junior and Pro Junior available. Final event dates are not yet confirmed but they will fall within this range.
Windsurf Equipment & Junior Groups
Some junior windsurf gear is available for use by joining local windsurf clubs in Western Australia. These clubs also hold regular junior windsurf sessions so your kids can meet and windsurf with other youth. This is mainly recommended for youth at the Junior Windsurf Camp and should not be relied upon for competitors in the U18 Grand Final.
- Geraldton Windsurf Club https://www.facebook.com/geraldtonwindsurfingclub
- SW Junior Windsurf School (hold sessions between Dunsborough and Augusta) https://www.facebook.com/SWJuniorWindsurfSchool/
- Perth Metro Juniors https://www.facebook.com/groups/WWAJuniors (hold sessions in Perth)
Travel Assistance for International U18s Travelling Without Parents
We are still working on details for this component and aim to help youth who are travelling alone with transport and accommodation.
Please email geraldtonwindsurfclub@gmail.com if you are considering sending a child without a parent/guardian to compete in the World Grand Final.
More Information:
-Instagram: @oceaniayouthtitles
Facebook: Oceania Youth Wave Titles
YouTube: Oceania Youth Wave Sailors
- Email: geraldtonwindsurfingclub@gmail.com
- WhatsApp: +61 408 909 643
- Entry: www.windsurfingwa.org.au/events (entries open September 2025).