Jahly’s keeping competitive nature alive in surf

A SUNSHINE Coast teen is still on top of the world after taking out a coveted Australian women’s surf title.

Queensland's latest surf champion, 13-year-old Jahly Stokes at home at Buddina. Photo Lachie Millard

A SUNSHINE Coast teen is still on top of the world after taking out a coveted Australian women’s surf title.

Buddina’s Jahly Stokes, 13, was crowned the national under-14 girls grommet champion at the Australian Junior Surfing Titles held at Margaret River in Western Australia.

Jahly has been surfing since she was five, but the seasoned water babe was taken by surprise when she took out the top title this month.

“I was pretty nervous, I’d been training for a while and I just really wanted to do my best,” she said.

“All the other girls were surfing well, too, so it was tough competition.

“I went over there hoping to make the final so it was even better to win.

“I was so happy. Just so stoked.”

Jahly said she planned to go pro and compete in the World Surfing League, following in the footsteps of her surfing icons Stephanie Gilmore and Caroline Marks.

“Caroline is goofy and I’m goofy so I just love the way that she surfs,” she said.

Jahly — the daughter of former Kawana Waters ironman and ironwoman champions Brad Stokes and Denby Stokes (nee Holmes) — is one of a family of surfers, with her older brother Zeb, 15, also having competed in high-profile competitions.

“My older brother Zeb, he went to world titles earlier this year, but I’m the first one to win an Australian title,” she said.

Jahly said her brother was the better surfer now, but hopefully not for too long.