Gold Coast brothers Max (13) and Lucas Deffenti (7) and hundreds of junior surfers firing up for another epic summer of surf
He’s only seven years old but this surfing-mad kid is amped about taking on competitors almost twice his age this summer.
Surfing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Surfing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
HE’S only seven years old but surfing-mad Lucas Deffenti is amped about taking on competitors almost twice his age this summer.
Gold Coast brothers Max (13) and Lucas Deffenti (7) and hundreds of junior surfers across Queensland are raring to make to most of summer swells and surfing competitions this summer.
The Brazilian-born duo pull on competition jerseys next weekend when their home club, Mermaid Nobbys Miami Boardriders, hosts their “Critter Comp” which attracts top junior talent.
WAVE OF SUPPORT TO MOVE SURF WORLD
After a strong season last year young Lucas is tipped in surfing circles as a “giant-killer” for often surfing four years above his age group, despite only weighting in at 22kgs.
“My actual age group is U8s but I compete in U12s because dad’s like ‘you’re too good’ he encourages me to go into U12s and try my best,” Lucas told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
Max, also a promising boardrider, said Lucas “only” started surfing when he was aged four or five after their family moved to Miami from Brazil in 2014.
GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS FOR 50C A DAY
“Lucas started when he was three, but he didn’t really surf until three years ago, when he was four or five, he had to wear a life jacket,” Max said.
“He’d just go down to the shore when mum was looking after me surfing.”
Over summer the pair will also compete in Woolworths Grom Comps organised by Surfing Queensland.
When they are not chasing points in competitions to fulfil their dreams of becoming professional surfers Max and Lucas said they enjoy surfing waves across the city “wherever the banks are good”.
But Max said their home break at North Burleigh was a favourite because: “we know everyone so we dominate the peak.”
Wakeboarding world champs set for Coast return as local hero rises
The Wakeboarding World Championships are set to return to the Gold Coast soon after a local hero clinched the 2024 crown. Discover the details of the event’s future here.
Why world titles are key to life saving’s push for 2032 Olympics
Officials are moving to hold the Lifesaving World Championships on the Gold Coast twice in eight years as part of a push for the sport to gain entry into the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Go inside the sport’s plans here.