Avalon surfer Bodhi Leigh-Jones earns spot at world junior titles in Taiwan
Avalon surfer Bodhi Leigh-Jones has qualified for the biggest event of her career as she looks to follow in the footsteps of another northern beaches boardrider.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It’s not the usual reward for a time out from study - a trip overseas.
But that’s what Avalon surfer Bodhi Leigh-Jones has secured after taking a break from her HSC studies to compete at a surf event in Victoria.
Leigh-Jones finished third at the final Junior Qualifying Series event of the WSL Australia/Oceania season at Bells Beach on Wednesday to write her name on a plane ticket to the junior world surfing championships.
“I’m stoked,’’ said the 18-year-old student from Marta Maria school at Warriewood who surfs and trains at Avalon and Whale Beach.
“The only other girl who could get in needed to make the finals and she ended up getting knocked out.
JOEYS: Tour of duty for Cameron Peupion
SNOWBOARDER: Man on a mission
“In the end I finished third which wasn’t what I wanted but it got me the spot.
“I am so happy. I really wanted it. I knew it wouldn’t be easy so I am stoked.’’
Prior to the event Central Coast teenagers Molly Picklum and Dakoda Walters had already qualified for the world championships by winning the 2019 WSL Regional Junior Qualifying Series.
The last woman to win a junior world surfing crown from the northern beaches was Laura Enever back in 2009 at North Narrabeen.
Leigh-Jones said joining the likes of Stephanie Gilmore and Sally Fitzgibbons on the women’s world surfing tour is her long term goal.
She will take a gap year in 2020 to contest the qualifying series in an attempt to secure a spot in 2021.
MORE SPORT
