Young Coffs Harbour surfers Will and Luca Martin win schools’ title at 2023 Australian Junior Surfing Titles

Coffs Harbour surfing identities are scouring through the record books after two local boys – brothers – combined to secure a national title at Phillip Island.

Coffs Harbour brothers Luca and Will Martin are chaired up the beach at Phillip Island after winning the 2023 MR Shield for 16 years and under at the Australian Junior Surfing Titles at Phillip Island.

Coffs Harbour’s dynamic groms Will and Luca Martin combined to win a coveted title at the Australian Junior Surfing Titles at Phillip Island.

The brothers-in-arms are Coffs-born through-and-through, but relocated to Queensland earlier this year to link with the Surfing Excellence program at Palm Beach Currumbin State High School.

At the nationals in Victoria on Sunday, they comprised the two-man Queensland team which secured the MR Shield for surfers 16 years and under.

“Super stoked to win an Aussie title with my bro in the MR shield and come runners up in the All Stars with my mate @mitchell.peterson,” Will wrote on his Instagram page.

“Quarterfinals finish in the 16s, would have loved to go further but it wasn’t to be.”

Coffs Harbour Boardriders club member Luca Martin.

Dad Aaron Martin couldn’t be beachside for the rare moment, but lapped up every moment as the event was live streamed.

“100 per cent it’s very rare,” Mr Martin said.

“They are brothers so they are competitive (with one another) but they surf in different age groups and they surf together all day every day.”

Will, 15, and Luca, 12, both attended Korora Public School, with Martin the elder going on to study at Jetty High.

Coffs Harbour Boardriders club member Will Martin.

While they are now Gold Coast-based, Mr Martin said the boys still regularly attend Coffs Harbour Boardrider Club events.

“When the kids win an individual event it’s great but to see them win an Australian titles together was extra special,” he said.

It was a red letter moment for Mr Martin as that same day he was made a life member of the Coffs Boardriders.

“My first memory of meeting our new inductee (Mr Martin) was the many times he was out the back pushing his son onto wave, after wave, after wave … and his son was about four years old,” treasurer Lauryn Nichols said.

“It wasn’t only being a parent at the beach, setting up, helping with comp days, helping at the barbecue, but bringing to our club a business-minded person with the experience to continually grow our club.”