COFFS Harbour Boardriders Club member Rosie Smart has finished second at the Harvey Norman Sydney Surf Pro Junior event in Sydney.

The event is part of the World Surf League Junior Qualifying Series and was held at North Narrabeen on 13-14 May.

Smart won all her heats on her way to the final, and was narrowly beaten by up and coming star Sierra Kerr, who had come off winning the Harvey Norman Gold Coast Pro Junior.

The 18-year-old finished runner up in an event featuring 32 of Australia and Oceania’s best 20-and-under surfers.
Smart was chasing points to qualify for the World Surf League’s Challenger Series, a pathway to pro surfing’s highest level.

She walked away with a valuable 800 points and $700 in prize money.

Smart is now headed to Indonesia for the Krui Pro Junior where there are 5000 qualifying points up for grabs to help qualify for the Challenger Series.

Rosie is currently ranked 17th on the Women’s qualifying series, and ranked 4th on the Women’s junior tour.

The Coffs Coast surfer talked through her run to the runner up finish at North Narrabeen.

“I had so much fun surfing North Narrabeen, in my quarterfinal I was getting wave after wave, it just felt like a free surf,” she said.

“I have been focusing on improving my strategy and decision making in heats, so it was rewarding to win every heat to the final.

“It was a close final, initially, I was a bit disappointed with second, but after a few days I was able to look back and be proud of my result.

“It was really inspiring to see the level of competition in the female division this year which pushed me to surf my best.

“My younger brother travelled with me and was a good coach as well.”

Her next competition has her excited to hit the waves again.

“I have travelled to Bali a few times and was lucky enough to surf Java last year, however this will be my first time surfing Krui in Sumatra,” she said.

“Indonesia is a dream, warm water, amazing food, lovely people, fun waves.

“To get to Krui is a two-day mission but I’ve heard there are some amazing waves, so I am super excited.”

Smart had a busy schedule for the rest of the year.

“I will be competing in the last two WSL Pro Junior events of the year in Lennox Head and Mandurah in Western Australia,” she said.

“I will also be competing in the Straddie Assault Team Challenge as part of the Coffs Harbour Boardriders team.
“It has been a busy year.”

The talented young surfer shared her goals with News Of The Area.

“My goal is to qualify for the 2024 Challenger Series, and the Krui QS5000 in Sumatra is the first competition of the 2023/24 Australia/Oceania Qualifying Series, so I would love to get a good result to start my campaign,” she said.

“Competing in the World Surfing League is my ultimate dream; however, I still have a lot of work to do and aspects I need to develop in my surfing.

“I’m enjoying the journey and am very grateful for all the support from the local community, my friends and family, and my Coffs Harbour Boardriders Club family.”

By Aiden BURGESS