Surfing: Creed joins world title defence

It's official: Creed McTaggart is WA’s top junior surfer.

Picture: Russell Ord

The teenage surfing sensation was crowned WA Junior Surfer of the Year at a special function during the Telstra Drug Aware Pro at Surfers Point in Margaret River earlier this month.

The honour is the latest achievement for the 17-year-old, who will soon be competing in the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.

Having twice represented Australia at the championships, McTaggart has a good idea of what to expect from his third outing.

‘‘Heaps of good surfers and heaps of heats,’’ he said.

‘‘You have to be really consistent and expect to surf a lot.’’

The South West Academy of Sport scholarship holder, who has previously competed at world junior championships in Ecuador and New Zealand, will travel to Peru next month as part of the 2011 TravelSIM Australia Junior Surfing Team.

From May 21-29, the South West Academy of Sport scholarship holder will use his talents to help Australia defend its world title at the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.

The prestigious contest is expected to attract the best under 18 surfers from around the world, but despite the tough competition, McTaggart was confident in Australia’s ability to shine.

‘‘Australia’s got a good team and have won it for the past five years in a row,’’ he said.

McTaggart has enjoyed a fantastic season on the water, culminating last month in him being named WA Junior Surfer of the Year.

His achievements include winning the under 18 division of the Arnette Australian Junior Surfing Titles in December.