The World Junior Championships 2024, organized by the World Surf League (WSL) at the iconic Urbiztondo beach in San Juan, Philippines, concluded with remarkable results. Among the standout performances, Spanish surfer Dylan Donegan secured third place, establishing himself as one of Europe’s brightest prospects in men’s surfing.
Donegan showcased his talent throughout the tournament, facing high-caliber opponents, including Australia’s Winter Vincent, who ultimately eliminated him in a closely contested semifinal heat.
In the men’s category, Indonesian Bronson Meydi made history by becoming the first surfer from his country to win a WSL world title. With an impressive performance, Meydi defeated Winter Vincent in the final, achieving a total score of 18.80, the highest of the entire championship. “It’s incredible to bring this title to Indonesia. It has been a special week,” Meydi stated.
In the women’s category, Brazilian Luana Silva also made history as the first woman from her country to win the junior world title. Silva triumphed over Japan’s Kana Nakashio in an exhilarating final decided in the final seconds.
Besides Donegan, other national surfers left their mark on the championship, with Kai Odriozola and Annette Gonzalez-Etxabarri finishing fifth, while Janire González Etxabarri and Keoni Lasa also delivered notable performances for Spain.
The 2024 Junior World Championships reaffirmed the high level of young surfing talent, sending a clear message that the future of the sport is in capable hands.