Gerringong’s Lucy Darragh has taken third place in the Under-16 women’s division at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championships last week - a key contribution to Australia securing the Team World Championship for the second year in a row.

The championships were held in Punta Rocas, Peru, from December 5-14, with Darragh progressing all the way to the final before narrowly missing first place by just 0.41 points to eventual winner Bailey Turner (USA).

Darragh was a standout from the opening round, posting the highest combined heat total of her division across the entire competition with an impressive 15.5. 

She also recorded the equal-highest single-wave score of the event, earning a 9.00 on her fourth wave in round one.

“The waves are absolutely pumping today. You couldn’t really ask for better waves, so really stoked on that,” Darragh told ISA Surf after that first round. 

“There was a lot of build-up to the first heat, a lot of nerves, so I’m really happy to get that one out of the way.

"It’s been such good waves - yesterday and today it’s been six-foot-plus, pumping left and right.

From there, Darragh appeared unstoppable, winning every heat until the semi-finals. 

She said she was thrilled to reach the semis alongside close friend Charli Hately.

“I’m so stoked Charli [Hately] got the score in the end,” Darragh said. “It’s so good to see us both get through and yeah, pumped for the semis. I’ve been looking forward to this comp all year.

“Travelling with the team, staying with the team - the whole team spirit - you know, doing the ring of fire and tunnel when we go out, it’s been so sick. It’s exceeded my expectations.”

In the semi-finals, Darragh faced her first setback, finishing second behind Turner, who would go on to claim gold. The result still secured Darragh a spot in the final, while Hately narrowly missed out after finishing third in her heat.

Darragh started the final strongly with a 6.43 on her opening wave but was unable to build on that score as Turner and eventual silver medallist Catalina Zaraquiey found higher-scoring rides.

She mounted a late charge with her final wave, scoring a 6.23, but fell just 0.41 points short of Turner, who finished with a combined total of 13.07. 

Zaraquiey claimed second place with a total of 12.87, leaving Darragh to take the bronze medal.

Team Australia after their win. Photo: Pablo Franco

Despite finishing third, Darragh played a significant role in Australia’s overall success, as the team claimed the world title for the second consecutive year.

Australia secured four medals at the championships to earn its ninth team gold and 20th team medal overall.

The campaign was led by Ocean Lancaster’s gold medal, alongside silver for Milla Coco Brown and bronze medals for Caden Francis and Darragh.

Darragh also remains atop the Oceania 2025-26 Women’s Qualifying Series rankings as the season draws to a close.