North Coast groms storm Reflections Cadet Cup surf comp at Rainbow Beach, Bonny Hills

A crop of seriously shreddable surfers from Byron, Lennox and Port Mac took to the waves against their city rivals in the “biggest surfing festival in Australia” over the weekend.

Winners are grinners Age group winners Mali Adam (U16 girls), left, Lily White (U14s), Cleo Beesley (U12), Harry Stephens (U14 boys), Maverick Macgugan (u12 boys) and Joey Silk (U16s).

More than 80 of the state’s best groms battled for glory amid tough conditions at the “biggest surfing festival in Australia” at Bonny Hills over the weekend for the Reflections Cadet Cup.

The crop of seriously shredable surfers from Byron Bay to Cronulla battled a strong northeast swell and northeast winds caused by tropical cyclone Alfred – yet organisers said the standard of surfing and ocean skills were “exceptional”.

Jarrah White at the Reflections Cadet Cup at Bonny Hills.

In its second year, the Cup – an A 5500-rated event on Surfing Australia’s National Series calendar – is a partnership between Reflections, the largest holiday group in New South Wales, and Surfest, the biggest surfing festival in Australia.

The two-day competition, also supported by Port Macquarie-Hastings council, saw 85 contenders competing at Rainbow Beach, Bonny Hills – just south of Port Macquarie at the weekend.

The two-day competition, also supported by Port Macquarie-Hastings council, saw 85 contenders competing at Rainbow Beach, Bonny Hills – just south of Port Macquarie at the weekend.

Surfers ready to enter the waves at the Reflections Cadet Cup at Bonny Hills.

Byron Bay’s Mali Adam took out the U16 girls with Indi Vaughan from Bateau Bay placing second, Jessie Silver from Fairlight third and Lily McCaull from Anna Bay fourth.

In the U16s boys Joey Silk from Crescent Head placed first with Kade Kelly from Newcastle second, Rio Luther Barr from Bundagen third and, Jacob Sheehan from Bronte, fourth.

Surfers readying to enter the waves at the Reflections Cadet Cup at Bonny Hills.

Shelly O’Rourke from Woodburn placed third in the U14 girls along with Charlene Walker from Lennox Head who placed fourth – just being edged out by Lily White from Blairgowrie who placed first with runner up Coco Woolley from Boomerang Beach.

Harry Stephens from Port Macquarie took out the U14 boys, with Mack Ringis of Highfields second, Tymen Spierings of X, North Bondi third and, Sonny Leong of Cronulla, fourth.

Parker Abbott at the Reflections Cadet Cup at Bonny Hills.

Lennox Head surfer Cleo Beesley won the U12 girls over Sage White from Moone Beach (2nd), rival Rosie Barron from Byron Bay (3rd), and Hazel Ralston of Woolgoogla (4th).

The U12 boys champion was Maverick Magugan from Avalon, followed by Byron Bay’s Jaya Suhendra (2nd), Jack Yarrow of Merewether took 3rd and, Lachlan Pye from Dee Why (4th).

Launched in 2024 at Bonny Hills, the Reflections Holidays Cadet Cup has expanded to include a second event at Tuncurry, which will be held in December.

Surfers enter the waves at the Reflections Cadet Cup at Bonny Hills.

Surfest director Warren Smith said conditions “got rougher” on Saturday and were particularly trying for the younger age groups.

“Sunday was rough all day and we had to reschedule events to accommodate the conditions,” Mr Smith said.

“The one thing that has impressed everyone, from our lifeguards to the judges, has been the level of surfing and the surf awareness that the kids have shown all the way through.

“It gives you so much faith in what they are doing with their parents and [surf] clubs. The lifeguards have been so impressed with how they read the surf, their surf ability and their attitude,” Mr Smith said.

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