Escribano and Kenyon crowned Junior World Champions in Geraldton, Australia
by International Windsurfing Tour 15 Jan 07:19 GMT
9-11 January 2026
World Junior Wave Grand Final © Fish Bowl Diaries
The future of windsurfing took centre stage this week as Spain's Javier Escribano Toribio and Australia's Sarah Kenyon were crowned 2025 Junior World Champions at the World Junior Wave Grand Final in Geraldton with the World Windsurf Tour and PWA.
Sixteen year old Escribano Toribio, from Tarifa, delivered a commanding performance to secure both the U18 Grand Final event victory and the U18 World Championship title, capping an outstanding international season.
"It feels amazing - I don't even have the words," Escribano said. "I've worked for years for that trophy. I came here with my dad and had to miss school classes for this, but it was all worth it. I'm so happy to be here and to win."
Setting the tone early in the final, Escribano landed a perfect back loop and a huge push loop, before switching to composed, high scoring wave riding to seal the title. He was quick to praise the venue and atmosphere.
"Geraldton and The Spot are perfect places to windsurf," he said. "The atmosphere is so good with all the kids everywhere and everyone happy all the time. I made a lot of friends here and I'm super happy to win the world title."
Japan's Ryoma Sugi finished runner-up in the U18 division, before returning to the water to claim an impressive victory in the U21 Boys Final. Relaxed and confident, Sugi thrilled spectators with precise forward and backward rotating loops combined with sharp snaps in the waves.
"That was so fun," Sugi said. "I didn't feel as much pressure in the U21, so I could relax and just enjoy it. I'm really happy to win that division."
Australia's top-ranked junior boy, Tyler Wallrodt (Albany), completed an exceptional event with third-place finishes in both the U18 and U21 divisions, showcasing massive forward loops and stylish wave riding.
"To compete against the best in the world my age and still finish third in the world is pretty unreal," Wallrodt said. "It's definitely motivated me to push harder, but making friends with people from all around the world has been the biggest highlight."
Also impressing was 12 year old Isaac Gill (Perth), who reached the U18 Boys Final with loops and wave riding well beyond his years - a clear sign of exciting future potential.
Junior Girls: Home Crowd World Title for Kenyon
In the Junior Girls division, Geraldton local Sarah Kenyon was crowned 2025 Junior Girls World Wave Champion, sealing the prestigious title in front of family, friends, and a passionate home crowd.
The 17 year old finished second in the Grand Final to Japan's Natsuki Wakasa (16), but her result was enough to secure the overall world title thanks to two crucial event wins earlier in the season.
Kenyon concluded the season with 37,000 points out of a possible 40,000, finishing just 115 points ahead of Wakasa in the final world rankings.
"It feels so good to win the title here in Geraldton, where all my friends and family are," Kenyon said. "Becoming World Champion has been a goal of mine for a long time, and I've trained really hard to get there."
Kenyon's campaign was built on aggressive, surf style wave riding, using her local knowledge to select and attack the best waves with multiple powerful snaps. In the Grand Final, however, Wakasa's consistency - combining clean forward loops with strong wave riding - earned her the event victory.
Japan continued its strong showing with Nozomi Sakai claiming third place, while 13-year-old Ines Callenaere (Perth) finished fourth.
Kenyon returned to the water determined in the U21 Girls Final, lifting her performance to claim victory. Wakasa finished second, with Germany's Helena Derya Lale completing the podium in third.
The event capped off a thrilling week of elite junior windsurfing in Geraldton, showcasing the next generation of global talent and celebrating a home grown world champion on Australian waters.
The event was proudly supported by the City of Greater Geraldton, with funding assistance from the Western Australian State Government through Royalties for Regions.
Overall Results:
U18 Girls - Grand Final
1. Natsuki Wakasa (Japan)
2. Sarah Kenyon (Geraldton, Australia)
3. Nozomi Sakai (Japan)
4. Ines Callenaere (Perth, Australia)
U21 Girls - Grand Final
1. Sarah Kenyon (Geraldton, Australia)
2. Natsuki Wakasa (Japan)
3. Helena Derya Lale (Germany)
4. Ines Callenaere (Perth, Australia)
U18 Boys - Grand Final
1. Javier Escribano Toribio (Spain)
2. Ryoma Sugi (Japan)
3. Tyler Wallrodt (Albany, Australia)
4. Isaac Gill (Perth, Australia)
U21 Boys - Grand Final
1. Ryoma Sugi (Japan)
2. Javier Escribano Toribio (Spain)
3. Tyler Wallrodt (Albany, Australia)
4. Jake Ghiretti (Margaret River, Australia)
Final World Rankings - 2025:
U18 Girls
1. Sarah Kenyon
2. Natsuki Wakasa
3. Sol Degrieck
U18 Boys
1. Javier Escribano Toribio
2. Ryoma Sugi
3. Tyler Wallrodt