The South West will be well represented when some of Oceania’s best young surfers hit the waves this week for the World Surf League Traeger Grills Pro Junior at Lennox Head, New South Wales.

Leading the local contingent are Margaret River sisters Willow and Olive Hardy alongside Cowaramup pair Ace and Macklin Flynn.

They will be joined by Maverick Wilson and Rosie Gillett from Dunsborough and Cowaramup’s Grace Cook at the prestigious event, which runs from July 7 to 12 but has not kicked off yet due to conditions.

Former Challenger Series competitor Willow Hardy returns to the event looking to add another major result to an impressive season.

The 19-year-old claimed her second World Surf League Pro Junior victory earlier this year at Phillip Island after recovering from the serious foot injury that ruled her out of last season’s Challenger Series.

Younger sister Olive has also enjoyed a breakthrough year, cementing herself as one of Western Australia’s top junior surfers.

She recently wrapped up the WA under-18 State title with a round to spare after producing a dominant final at Trigg Beach, adding the crown to victories at the Queen of the Point and WA Open Women’s State Championships.

Talented Cowaramup surfer Macklin Flynn has continued to build his reputation in both junior and open competition and will be aiming to translate that form on to the national stage.

The Traeger Grills Pro Junior has long been regarded as one of the premier events on the Australian junior calendar, with past champions including Margaret River’s Jack Robinson.

WSL Asia-Pacific tour director Ty Sorati said the event helped showcase emerging talent from throughout Australia.

“The WSL is excited to see the Traeger Grills Pro Junior return to Lennox Head as part of the Soundboks Oz Grom Open,” he said.

“Lennox is one of Australia’s great high-performance waves, and the perfect place to see the next generation of surfers challenge themselves.

“There’s always plenty of exciting talent on display and we’re looking forward to another great week of competition.”

With nearly 100 of the region’s best surfers competing, the South West’s rising stars will be hoping to continue the region’s proud tradition of producing elite surfing talent.