Admired by young surfers from around the globe, 28-year-old professional Taj Burrow (Yallingup, Western Australia) is pumped for the second annual Taj’s Small Fries surf event at his home beach which is now less than a week away.

Raised in the powerful waves of the South West of Western Australia, the world number four will lend his competitive knowledge and expertise to his grommet event from January 19th-21st.

Overwhelmed by support for the 2006 event, which attracted a record junior field of over 100, the 2007 Billabong Taj’s Small Fries will once again be held at the Yallingup main break, the same spot Burrow battled out the earliest heats of his career.

Taj’s Small Fries is open to boys and girls aged 16 & Under and 14 & Under along with a micro grommet field of 12 & Under boys.

“I think we had over 100 kids show up, a record for Surfing WA,” he said. “I grew up doing the state contests, it was pretty much where I learnt how to compete. It’s really important for the young kids to have a crack at competing at an early age, just get in a heat and have a wicked time,” said Burrow.

West Australia’s best young emerging talent Creed McTaggart, who won the prestigious Occy’s Grom Comp in July 2006, will start as favourite in the prized 12 and under boys division, while Under 16 West Australian state champion Felicity Palmateer will be back to defend her 2006 event title.

Taj’s Small Fries is supported by Panasonic, Vodafone, Clearasil, UV Triplegard, Von Zipper, Surfing WA and the Local Community of Yallingup.

Taj’s Small Fries Defending Champions

12 and Under Boys: Matt Banting (Port Macquarie)

14 and Under Girls: Felicity Palmateer (Hillarys)

14 and Under Boys: Danny Williams (Geraldton)

16 and Under Girls: Felicity Palmateer (Hillarys)

16 and Under Boys: Shaun Howe (Kalbarri)

More information can be found at: www.billabong.com.au and www.surfingaustralia.com