Top rivals include former under-15 world champion Ryoma Sugi from Japan and Europe’s leading junior Javier Escribano.

He aims to leverage Western Australia’s conditions as a home-ground advantage while testing himself against a strong international field.

Wallrodt views the event as a community-building platform for Australian windsurfing, uniting youth and parents to bolster the sport’s national culture and connections.

Notably, this is the first flagship junior world wave event hosted in Australia, with Geraldton stages at Sunset Beach, Coronation Beach, and Oakajee River Mouth.

The 17-year-old windsurfer from Albany, Tyler Wallrodt, will represent Australia at the Junior World Wave Grand Final in Geraldton, running from January 10 to 18.

Australia’s talent development is underscored by a junior windsurf training camp led by Jake Ghiretti, the current under-21 World Champion, for athletes aged eight to 20.