Punta Rocas, Peru – December 13, 2025 – Australia claimed a definitive lead in the rankings as Finals Day was set on day eight of the 2025 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (WJSC). A rising three-to-four-feet swell saw the peak at Punta Rocas in full effect, with both directions contributing to major scores throughout the day. With Rounds 5 and 6 run in U/18 boys, Rounds 4 and 5 in U/16 boys, and Round 5 of both girls age groups, Semifinalists were decided in all divisions. It’s all set up for an exciting day of competition to crown World Junior Champions tomorrow.
As rankings shifted through the day, Australia’s standing gradually rose, increasing to a large lead by day’s end. After multiple days at the top of the rankings, Brazil dipped to third, narrowly sitting behind the USA and ahead of Peru. The three nations now sit within 300 points of each other, with Australia almost 900 points ahead.
Caden Francis, Team Australia. Photo: Jersson Barboza
For Australia, devastating losses from U/18 boys standouts Maverick Wilson (AUS) and Samuel Lowe (AUS) were replaced by major moments from Ocean Lancaster (AUS) and Caden Francis (AUS) in U/16 boys. Milla Coco Brown (AUS) also continued her redemption run in U/18, but a single U/16 girls heat may have proved most decisive to the teams race when Chari Hately (AUS) jumped from fourth to second in the final moments to move into the Semifinals alongside Lucy Darragh (AUS).
“I’m so stoked Charli [Hately] got the score in the end,” Darragh said. “It’s so good to see us both get through and yeah, pumped for the semis. I’ve been looking forward to this comp all year. Travelling with the team, staying with the team, like the whole team spirit, you know, doing the ring of fire, tunnel when we go out, it’s been so sick. It’s exceeded my expectations, this comp.”
Lukas Skinner, Team England. Photo: Pablo Franco
Lukas Skinner’s (ENG) Momentum Rises With Division-Leading Performances
With his campaign unfolding exactly as planned, back-to-back U/16 Silver Medalist Lukas Skinner (ENG) continued to build momentum. The 17-year-old opened the day with his first excellent heat total in Peru, before adding the highest single wave score of the U/18 boys division in the afternoon. Skinner’s Main Round 5 heat saw an 8.00 joined by an 8.27 for a 16.27 heat total as his seamless style carried him through smooth carves and effortless airs, all with impeccable flow. Adding significant power to the opening carves of an important wave in his Main Round 6 heat, the 17-year-old at last showed emotion as he claimed a 9.10.
“I’ve just been enjoying myself this whole week,” Skinner said. “I’ve had some good heats so far. That was my best one, and I feel like I’ve got so much more in the tank. I’m just going to keep going. My board feels insane, and yeah, I’m stoked. Yesterday I had a close one. I didn’t really even get to go into a gear. I feel like I’ve got sixth and seventh gear to go.”
Skinner advanced in his Main Round 6 heat ahead of the surfer who defeated him in the Final in 2024, Dylan Donegan (ESP). Donegan was able to hold on to advance ahead of Dane Libby (USA) and Francisco Anglani (ITA) as he looks to add an U/18 title to his status as reigning U/16 ISA World Junior Champion. The pair are joined in the Semifinals by Jacob Turner (USA), Jay Phipps (FRA), Tiger Abubo (HAW), and Eeli Timperi (FIN). The elimination of two Brazilian surfers in Main Round 6 by Abubo and Timperi dealt a massive blow to Brazil’s status in the rankings. It also marks the pair’s strongest campaigns yet in the third WJSC for each.
Lanea Mons, Team USA. Photo: Sean Evans
In-form Lanea Mons (USA) Continues Her Charge Back To the Podium
For the second day in a row, Lanea Mons (USA) claimed a commanding heat win, catching just two waves to take out her Main Round 5 heat. The 2023 U/16 silver medalist opened with an excellent 8.50 and backed it up with a 6.17, both on her forehand on the left. The resulting 14.67 heat total was the highest of the round, as was her single-wave score. The 16-year-old exuded confidence as she moved one heat away from a second medal.
“This event, there’s so many heats you have to grind through and so many good competitors to surf against, but that’s the beauty of it,” Mons said. “I’m just so grateful to be here. It’s kind of amazing because waking up at whatever, like 5 a.m. every morning, coming down to the beach and then getting to surf the heat. If I had to live in a simulation, this would be a pretty good one to live in. It’s so awesome getting to compete every day, doing what I love. I’m stoked I got some good lefts.”
Behind Mons, a close race for second played out between Miamar Soto Pérez (PUR) and Raipoe Chapelier (TAH), which went in favor of the Puerto Rican. In the following heat, 2024 Copper Medalist Milla Coco Brown (AUS) took the win over Sol Borelli (ESP), while the third and final matchup of the round was claimed by two-time medalist Clémence Schorsch (FRA). Schorsch also posted a score in the excellent range, an 8.17, to advance into the Semifinals for the third consecutive year ahead of Olympian Siqi Yang (CHN).
Zoey Kaina, Team Hawaii. Photo: Jersson Barboza
Excellence From Zoey Kaina (HAW), While Catalina Zariquiey (PER) Shines for Host Nation
Competing in her first ISA competition, Zoey Kaina (HAW) has delivered highlight surfing all week, today adding a second excellent score to her overall performance. A backhand two-turn combo on the right at Punta Rocas earned the 15-year-old an 8.50. Coupled with a 6.43, Kaina’s 14.93 heat total was the day’s highest of the girls. Since originally making a name for herself in Stab High competition, Kaina has proved to be a highly consistent competitor across many spheres, and now moves through to Finals Day in her most important event yet.
“It’s super sick, my goal here was to make Finals Day,” Kaina said. “The waves were really fun and I had a lot of fun out there. I dropped in on that wave, the second wave of the set, and I was like, let’s go. I dropped in, did a little carve, then saw the pocket and snapped. That felt good, then I came up and did another one, and that felt good too. I was hyped up by that one.”
The final remaining girl in the draw for the host nation, Catalina Zariquiey (PER), also delivered another solid heat win. Having posted some of the best numbers of her division all week, the 16-year-old held court over event standouts Ocea Green (CAN), Amari Moore (PUR), and Miliani Simon (TAH) to progress to the Semifinals.
“It feels amazing, the waves are really good, it’s really fun, and I can’t believe I’m in the semi,” Zariquiey said. “I’m super happy and proud, and my team has been so supportive. I’m grateful for the support from all Peruvians, my team, and my family, and proud to be representing my country here at home. Let’s give it our all for the final day.”
Advancing behind the Peruvian was Green, who will meet Lucy Darragh (AUS) and Bailey Turner (USA) in the second Semifinal, while Zariquiey will take on Kaina and Charli Hately (AUS) in the first.
Anuar Chiah, Team Brazil. Photo: Jersson Barboza
Anuar Chiah (BRA) Surges Into Semifinals as Bastián Arevalo’s (PER) Determined Run Pushes Him Forward
After initially falling into the repechage, Bastián Arevalo (PER) continued his strong trajectory through the event. Despite posting excellent scores in the two heats he surfed today, the 15-year-old progressed through both in second place. Winning ahead of Arevalo in Main Round 5 was Anuar Chiah (BRA), whose critical backhand approach to the rights of Punta Rocas earned a 14.06 two-wave heat total that included a 7.73. Part of the gold-medal winning Brazil team in 2023 where he came close to the Final, the 16-year-old was excited to guarantee an even better result in 2025.
“I’m so happy to advance to the Semifinals,” Chiah said. “This wave is pretty fun. Punta Rocas is similar to my home, Matinhos. I’m so happy to represent Brazil, it’s a big team. It’s been a long championship, I’ve already advanced through several heats. I want to dedicate this heat to my grandmother who passed away recently, and she knows how hard I fought to be here.”
Chiah will come up against his only remaining teammate, Pablo Gabriel (BRA), in the first U/16 heat of Finals Day, along with 2024 U/16 Bronze Medalist Thiago Passeri (ARG), while Arevalo will face Australian teammates Ocean Lancaster (AUS) and Caden Francis (AUS).
Competition will resume tomorrow, Sunday, December 14, at 7:00 a.m. PET with U/16 boys Semifinals at Punta Rocas.
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