Edel Rodden gets pro shout-out as she adds another board to her collection at Taj’s Small Fries

Surfing star Edel Rodden brought over her strong surfing form from last year with a runner-up gong at Taj’s Small Fries, with eyes on a big 2023. Taj’s Small Fries took place over the weekend in Yallingup and is one of the biggest junior surfing events in the State with more than 100 competitors hitting the waves. Eight surfers from Geraldton made the trip including Edel Rodden who finished as the fourth-ranked WA under-16 female surfer last year competing across the under-16 and 18 divisions. Rodden finished runner-up in the under-16 division in a thrilling final with Dunsborough’s Rosie Gillett, missing out on the tile by just 0.9 points. The 14-year-old may have missed out on the number one spot but was awarded a custom Lost Surfboards in recognition of her outstanding performances across the weekend. “The whole Small Fries event is so good, it’s pretty cool to be amongst Taj Burrow and the State’s best groms in an amazing part of Western Australia,” she said. “You get to surf new waves and build your experience and the conditions this year were great for a grom comp. “My goal this year was to make a final. The heats were a challenge, with tough competition. Ocea Curtis had flown across from Lennox Head to compete and when I saw I was in the semifinal with her and Olive Hardy, I thought that was as far as I was going to get. “I am so happy with my result to come runner-up and awarded a custom board was pretty good.” Rodden also had some help on the shore with pro surfer Mia McCarthy providing feedback throughout the heats. “I just listened to her tips, tried them, and felt the improvement heat by heat,” Rodden said. “Her feedback throughout the competition helped me so much.” McCarthy was clearly impressed with what she saw from Rodden taking to her Instagram to shout out her efforts. “Most amazing performance Edel, favourite surfer to watch all weekend,” she said in a post. “Keep shredding and improving.” Rodden was also part of the WA team sent over to the Nationals towards the end of last year and believes that experience has primed her for more results this year. “By solidifying connection with the other surfers and coaches, it has increased my confidence,” she said. “Last year at Small Fries I was pretty nervous, this year it was so much fun to have eight other surfers from Geraldton travel to Yallingup to complete.” “I can’t wait for State rounds this year, I never had a goal for Nationals last year, but now that I have had a taste of it I would be really happy to make the team for 2023.” Before that however, she has her eyes on the competition closer to home. “I’m also looking forward to Kalbarri Jetty Surf Frothin Fools Gero Grom Fest, it’s always fun to get amongst our local surf competitions,” she said.