WSL ANNOUNCES BIG CHANGES TO THE JUNIOR TOUR IN 2021 / 22

Most (if not all) of the WSL members would have received an email this morning from Jessi Miley-Dyer and Travis Logie with 2 big announcements for changes to the WSL Junior Tour.

The first being the cancellation of the 2021 World Junior Championship and the second being the raising of the age for the Pro Junior Tour from 18 to 20 and under. 

Jessi states that the reason for raising the age limit is “to enable those of you who have been striving to qualify for the World Junior Championships during the pandemic to still have the chance to compete. Points will roll over from this year and we will work with each region individually to see how that will work for the current rankings.”

We thought we would reach out to the top three of the Australia/Oceania region to see what they think of these new changes. 

Ellie Harrison

“I think it’s a great decision by the WSL because it gives everyone who missed out on many comps due to covid and are hitting the age limit, however now get the chance to make worlds. For me I’m really happy that even after I finish school I still have another 2 years to try and qualify and hopefully by then we can travel and will be able to go to worlds!”

Sage Goldsbury

“I think it’s really cool of the WSL to raise the age limit from 18 to 20 and under. I had a good start to both the 2020 and 2021 junior series and I was disappointed when everything got canceled due to covid, but it was totally understandable. It’s really exciting that we now get a chance to compete in the Pro Juniors next year. I still think my main focus next year will be on the regional QS events but if I can do this alongside the Junior circuit it would be awesome.”

Zahli Kelly

“I didn’t even know about the changes until this morning, but that’s great news. I’ve had to make the tough choice to give up my spot in the CS. It was far too difficult to organise Year 12 exams at the same time as competing in Europe, especially with the ever changing world during the Covid pandemic. This would have been my last year as a Pro Junior but with the age going up to 20 I now have another 2 years. I think it gives surfers around my age (who are looking to qualify for the WCT) a few extra years to grow, mature and progress their surfing skills. It’s definitely a good decision by WSL.”

For us we think it’s a great idea to lift that age limit and we hope it stays that way for generations to come. The Pro Junior series around the world is vital to developing new talent for the WSL Championship Tour.