- WSL / Kelly Cestari
- WSL / Kelly Cestari

Ethan Ewing just had a massive year. The 18-year old had a breakout season in 2016, dominating the Australian Pro Junior circuit before making a huge leap up the Qualifying Series rankings, making it on the Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour in 2017. But as we ring in the New Year, Ewing has one bit of unfinished business to tend to. He'll be joining a collection of the world's best Juniors in Kiama, New South Wales, vying for the prestige of a World Junior Championship.

2016 Vans US Open of Surfing, Huntington Beach, California Aussie Ethan Ewing, who finished No. 2 on the 2016 Qualifying Series, is the favorite heading into this year's World Junior Championship at Kiama. - WSL / Jackson Van Kirk

"This will be my first ever World Junior Championship so I'm really excited," Ewing said "I've always watched them closely online and been so interested in where the winners go on in their careers so I can't wait."

Ewing will have his hands full fending off talent from around the globe, most notably are recent Triple Crown standouts Griffin Colapinto and Finn McGill.

Griffin Colapinto wins heat 9 round three of the Hawaiian Pro Griffin Colapinto set the Hawaiian Pro ablaze with his gutsy performances. - WSL / tony heff

Colapinto finished No. 32 on the Qualifying Series thanks to a huge 9th place finish at the Hawaiian Pro, where he pulled one of the most talked about moves of the event. One month earlier he racked up a solid 3rd place finish at the Hang Loose Pro in Brazil.

McGill, meanwhile, is still flying high after his huge win at the Pipe Invitational, the hotly contested trials event for the Billabong Pipe Pro. The 16-year-old Hawaiian has been on a tear for months.

Finn McGill placed second in Heat 3 of Round Two of the Billabong Pipe Masters at Pipeine, Oahu, Hawaii. Finn McGill shocked the world with his recent win at the Pipe Invitational. - WSL / Damien Poullenot

Ewing, Colapinto and McGill will be joined by men and women from around the globe in Kiama, as the World Pro Junior returns to Australia for the first time in years. Kiama, New South Wales, will play host to the talented pack. Its gorgeous scenery will be a fresh backdrop for WSL fans, who can tune into the event live starting January 4th.

Welcome to Kiama
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World Surf League
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