Five Central Coast youngsters have been named as members of Surfing NSW’s 2022 Junior High Performance Program (JHPP) team comprising 52 young surfers aged between 12 and 16.
Hugh Vaughan from Bateau Bay has been named in the U18’s, Chex Dempsey also of Bateau Bay has will join the U14’s and competing in the U12’s will be Talia Tebb from Kincumber and Olive Morriss and Zara Hall, both of Avoca Beach.
Vaughan, 16, said it would be an honour to participate in the program.
“It will really help me prepare for the Australian Titles,” he said.
The youngster has been surfing for 14 years.
“I started so young because I had three older brothers who all surfed and I just wanted to have fun with them,” he said.
“But I started riding some good boards and getting some good results and something just clicked for me.”
With aspirations to become a professional surfer, Vaughan has already won two state titles and a national one.
Later this year he will compete in the Australian Titles on North Stradbroke Island and plans to follow in the footsteps of brother Joel, who is in the Challenger series and hoping to get on the Championship Tour at the end of the year.
The JHPP team, with members selected from their results at the State Junior and Grommet Titles, provides NSW’s top junior surfers with the resources and pathways to reach their full potential.
Not only will they be supported as athletes and have access to Surfing NSW’s world-class junior training, but they will represent Team NSW at the Australian Junior Surfing Titles at North Stradbroke Island from November 26-December 3.
The program for the U14-U18 athletes who will take part in the Australian Titles includes three state camps, including: Ingenia Holiday Parks, Merry Beach on the South Coast; Two-days at the Surfing Australia High-Performance Centre’ and One-day training at North Stradbroke Island.
The U12’s don’t compete at the Australian Junior Titles but still have an extensive program.
The state’s youngest elite athletes-in-training attend a one-day training camp at Ingenia Holiday Parks, Merry Beach on the South Coast with the state’s top surf coaches.
The team will also catch up for monthly online development sessions where they will have the opportunity to be inspired and empowered by a number of sport specialists and representative athletes.
The program, beginning in August, is supported by NSWIS, Ingenia Holiday Parks, Shoalhaven Council and the Surfer Strength Program.
Surfing strength and conditioning specialist, Dean Jamieson from the Surfers Strength Program, said he was pleased to be a part of the Surfing NSW JHPP.
“I love working with these young athletes and helping give them the skills and knowledge to use their bodies to their full potential so they can be the best surfers in the world,” he said.
“Not only is this team extremely talented, they are the future of our sport and all display incredible potential.
“In working with the team, the goal is to provide each with top-level physical preparation specific to surfing, giving them the best chance at success for themselves and the NSW team at the Australian Championships.”
A partnership with Ingenia Holiday Parks will allow the team to spend time together to learn from each other and strengthen their cohesiveness.
Ingenia General Manager People and Culture, Kristy Minter, said the team is thrilled to play a part in supporting the state’s future champions.
“The opportunity to support young athletes in their training and development is such a valuable piece of our partnership with Surfing NSW,” she said.
“We look forward to welcoming the group to Merry Beach for an action-packed weekend set in the beautiful surrounds of our south coast holiday park.
“It’s a great opportunity to really indulge in health and well-being while focusing on strategies towards achieving their goals.”
Terry Collins