Young gun Eden Hasson tames the waves at Newcastle Surfest

ANNA Bay surfing sensation Eden Hasson may not have featured in the finals mix but gained valuable experience at recent events in the World Surf League (WSL) Junior Qualifying Series.

The 19-year-old marked the 40th anniversary celebration of the Newcastle Surfest Challenger Series with an opening round heat win after mastering the conditions at Merewether Beach.

More than 120 of the most promising up-and-coming surfers – from as far as South Africa, French Polynesia, Brazil, Hawaii, the United States and further afield – descended on the iconic break in their quest to qualify for the 2026 WSL Championship Tour.

The Newcastle Surfest closed out the 2025/2026 Challenger Series season with an incredible week of high performance action.

A delighted Hasson told News Of The Area that he was “grateful for the opportunity to compete in this year’s Surfest Challenger event that featured a world-class international field.

“To miss out by 0.14 on my last score right on the buzzer in the second round was disappointing but I’m really pleased that l gave myself a chance,” Hasson quipped.

“I was already stoked to get a heat win in the first round which was an experience to savour and a great learning curve.

“I plan to be back next year but hopefully full time,” he added.

In the lead up to Surfest, the talented Hasson lined up in the Newcastle Pro Junior where he finished seventh after a loss to Will Martin.

He also finished ninth at the Phillip Island Pro Junior event where he was defeated by Lucas Hickson.

The best 20-and-under surfers from throughout the Asia Pacific region competed in the WSL Phillip Island Pro Qualifying Series 4000 and Junior Qualifying Series events at Cape Woolamai.

Australia’s world junior champion Dane Henry and former Under 18 national title holder Hasson were two the standouts with Hasson posting an excellent heat total of 16.50 (out of a possible 20) in the very first heat.

By Chris KARAS