On October 26-27, 14-year-old Gerringong local, Lucy Darragh, continued her impressive 2024 by placing equal third at the final stop of the Australia/Oceania junior series, the World Surf League (WSL) Junior Pro event in Lake Macquarie.

Darragh competed against many more experienced and older surfers, achieving third place, including a round-of-16 victory against 18-year-old Jahly Stokes, the winner of this year’s Australian Pro Junior Series. 

In the quarterfinals, she faced Sunshine Coast surfer Stella Green and clinched victory in the final moments of the heat. However, in a rematch against Stokes, she was narrowly defeated in a close heat decided with just five minutes left.

“It was a really fun event; I was surfing with some older girls who were really good. Since it was the last pro junior event of the year, everyone was trying to qualify for the WSL world juniors. I was stoked to get into the semifinals. The competition was tough, and everyone was surfing well, so I was very happy with the result,” says Darragh.

Darragh says surfing against such great surfers does make her a little nervous at first, but that once she’s out in the water - it all goes away.

“It’s a little intimidating at first, but it’s good when you’ve got nothing to lose. I try to just surf as well as I can and have fun,” says Darragh

Lucy Darragh in action. Source: Larn Darragh.

Darragh’s 2024 has included winning the Under 16’s title at the 2024 Billabong Occy Grom Comp as well as the Under 16’s title at the Taj’s Small Fries event in Western Australia.

She is currently ranked equal number one on the 2024 Surfing Australia Junior Series, and her young age has not stopped her from setting her sights high for her future.

“My goal is to get on the Challenger Series and hopefully reach the world tour, win a world title, and become an Olympian,” says Darragh.

She has just begun distance education which allows her to do her schoolwork from home and she enjoys that - mainly because she can surf a lot more.

“I surf twice a day everyday and sometimes three times if it’s good surf. It’s a really fun sport and it’s great getting out in the water,” says Darragh.

Darragh’s favourite local spots include Aussie Pipe in Jervis Bay, but she can’t resist her local favourite, the beloved Werri Point break.

Next up for Lucy is the Aussie Titles in December in Wollongong.