Molly Picklum and Xavier Huxtable Win First Ever WSL Events

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Xavier Huxtable (Jan Juc, VIC) and Molly Picklum (Shelly Beach, NSW) have taken out the Hydralyte Sports QLD Pro Junior presented by Hyundai today on North Stradbroke Island after a massive day of surfing. Competitors were greeted with pumping 4-6ft left-handers reeling down Main Beach, along with moderate south-easterly winds and plenty of spectators.

Huxtable defeated Caleb Tancred (Avoca Beach, NSW), Taj Stokes (Buddina, QLD) and Lennox Chell (Avoca Beach, NSW) respectively in an exciting final. Stokes led the heat early, tearing apart a huge left-hander to score a 6.75 (out of a possible 10.00). Tancred answered back with a 6.25, backed up with a 6.45 for a total heat score of 12.70 (out of a possible 20.00), to take himself into first position. The ocean calmed for some time before Huxtable surfed his last two waves of the heat, on which he scored an 8.15, backed up with a 6.95 for a total heat score of 15.10 to keep himself in first place until the hooter sounded. Huxtable couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he was chaired up the beach by his friends.

"It feels pretty amazing to win today," said Huxtable. "Obviously this is my first Pro Junior win which is pretty amazing. Hopefully, I can keep the ball rolling into 2019 and have a great season. It's looking like it should be a good year - I'm looking forward to around six more similar comps, travelling the world and finding sick waves. 2019 should be awesome."

Molly Picklum has won the women's division of the event, after one of the most exciting heats all weekend. Picklum defeated Holly Williams (Buddina, QLD), Nyxie Ryan (Lennox Head, NSW) and Pacha Light (Tugun, QLD) respectively in the final heat. Williams held the lead for the second half of the heat, after putting together a 6.5 and a 7.5 for a combined total of 14.00. The heat seemed done and dusted until Picklum paddled into a wave right before the hooter sounded - she tore apart a right-hander all the way into the shoreline, as spectators on the beach applauded. Picklum walked back up the beach and broke out into laughter and smiles as the judges read her score out over the beach. She put together a 6.5 and a 7.65 for a combined total of 14.15.

"That was pretty awesome toward the end," said Picklum. "It was definitely nerve-racking waiting to hear my score. This has been the best event out of all the pro juniors I've competed in so far. There's pumping waves and warm water, what more could we ask for. My main goal is to be surfing more Pro Juniors this year."

Holly Williams was stoked to take second place today. "It was really challenging out there, but it's really fun when you find the good ones," said Williams. "I'm super happy with today's result, it gives me a lot of confidence heading into the Pro Juniors this year."

Hydralyte Sports QLD Pro Junior Results:

Men's Final:
1st: Xavier Huxtable
2nd: Caleb Tancred
3rd: Taj Stokes
4th: Lennox Chell

Women's Final:
1st: Molly Picklum
2nd: Holly Williams
3rd: Nyxie Ryan
4th: Pacha Light