Seven champions have been crowned at the Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps yesterday at Trigg Beach, with some of WA’s best grommet talent on display. Competitors benefitted from light winds and sunny skies, making for a memorable end to the seventh event of the nationwide series.
A slight bump in the swell and clean early morning conditions provided the perfect setting for the event finalists, with grommets from across WA ripping into 1-2 feet waves on offer along Perth’s metro coastline.
The Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps is the only Australian event series catering for the increasing numbers of the country’s ‘micro-groms’, with boys and girls contesting Under-8, Under-10, Under-12 and Under-14 divisions.
Dunsborough’s Maverick Wilson took out the blue-ribbon Under-14 Boys final, ousting some of the State’s hottest young surfers and booking his place to attend an all-expenses-paid, three-day camp at the Surfing Australia High-Performance Centre (HPC). Wilson used his flashy forehand to post a two-wave total of 12.67 (from a possible 20) to defeat Cruz Sheridan (Margaret River), Okie Fraser (Margaret River) and Jack Lacey (Duncraig) in an exciting final.
“I’ve never been to the High Performance Centre before so I’m pretty stoked to have won today,” said Wilson. “It’ll be such a cool experience to go over there with all the other event winners and surf a bunch of different waves – I can’t wait.”
Denmark’s Isi Campbell made the most of tricky afternoon conditions, claiming victory in the Under-14 Girls final. Campbell will join Maverick Wilson at the Surfing Australia High Performance Centre after some great surfing which saw her find the best waves on offer, linking multiple manoeuvres with ease. Campbell took down Ruby Berry (Augusta), Kaleisha Launders (Margaret River) and Olive Hardy (Margaret River).
“I’m so stoked to be heading to the HPC again,” said Campbell “I was lucky enough to go there a few years ago, but what’s not to love about this prize. I can’t wait to get over there and surf and skate as much as I can.”
The event’s younger divisions provided plenty of highlights as they battled through tricky afternoon conditions. Jack Bulloch (Secret Harbour) was amongst the standouts, claiming a gutsy win in the Under-12 Boys division. Bulloch’s surfing has improved out of sight since the last Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps event and he was too strong for Jake Scott (Swanbourne) and Dunsborough duo Zayne Bate and Kade Martin.
“I’ve had a great time competing with all my friends and it’s been a really fun event,” said Bulloch. “Well done to everyone and thanks to the boys for chairing me up the beach.”
In other results from the weekend, Olive Hardy (Margaret River, WA) proved she is a star on the rise, winning the Under-12 Girls final. Hardy’s great wave selection and strong technique saw her take the win ahead of Mia Jacobs (Mandurah), Grace Cook (Cowaramup) and Isla Wroth (Mandurah).
“Thanks so much to the girls for pushing me and having such a good final,” said Hardy. “I love the Surfer Groms Comps and I’ve had a great time.”
Taylor Flynn (Cowaramup) was a popular winner of the 10 & Under Boys final, claiming the biggest win of his young career so far. While, Lulu Wilson (Dunsborough) is another surfer with a bright future ahead of her after dominating the 10 & Under Girls final.
Luke Harris (Swanbourne) took out the hotly contested Under Micro Groms division on a combined total of 13.84 (from a possible 20) for some impressive power wiggles and wave style.
Two lucky surfers were recognised for their efforts and sportsmanship at the event, receiving the Woolworths ‘Fresh Wave’ Award. Willow Hardy and Taylor Flynn each received a $250 Woolworths voucher.
Kieran Pawle (Padbury) and Summer Barkhuizen (Eglinton) were awarded the Pic’s Peanut Butter Star Performers for their outstanding efforts throughout the event.
“It’s been such a great event, with a lot of froth and excitement everywhere you look,” said Surfing WA Coach and Commentator Mark Clift. “This is such a fun format and it keeps it exciting for everyone competing.”
Regarded as one of the major steppingstones in the development of young Australian surfers, the 10-event Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps series caters for surfers from Under 8 to Under 14 and will be held in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and South Australia over summer.
As an added bonus, the respective winners of the Under 14 boys’ and girls’ divisions from each event will receive an invite to attend an all-expenses-paid, three-day Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps National Final Surf Camp, (1-day coaching clinic, 2 days of competition and heat analysis coaching) at the Surfing Australia High-Performance Centre (HPC).
Stay tuned to www.surfingwa.com.au for news, photos and updates relating to this and any other surfing event in WA.
WOOLWORTHS SURFER GROMS COMPS FINAL RESULTS:
Under 14 Boys:
1. Maverick Wilson (Dunsborough, WA) – 12.67
2. Cruz Sheridan (Margaret River, WA) – 10.67
3. Okie Fraser (Margaret River, WA) – 10.14
4. Jack Lacey (Duncraig, WA) – 8.64
Under 14 Girls:
1. Isi Campbell (Denmark, WA) – 13.17
2. Ruby Berry (Augusta, WA) – 9.94
3. Kaleisha Launders (Margaret River, WA) – 7.20
4. Olive Hardy (Margaret River, WA) – 7.13
Under 12 Boys:
1. Jack Bulloch (Secret Harbour, WA) – 12.33
2. Jake Scott (Swanbourne, WA) – 6.59
3. Zayne Bate (Dunsborough, WA) – 6.13
4. Kade Martin (Dunsborough, WA) – 3.55
Under 12 Girls:
1. Olive Hardy (Margaret River, WA) – 11.50
2. Mia Jacobs (Mandurah, WA) – 8.66
3. Grace Cook (Cowaramup, WA) – 6.80
4. Isla Wroth (Mandurah, WA) – 6.30
Under 10 Boys:
1. Taylor Flynn (Cowaramup, WA) – 14.07
2. Saxon Trigwell (Dunsborough, WA) – 8.50
3. Kieran Pawle (Padbury, WA) – 7.10
4. Alby Giles (Trigg, WA) – 6.46
Under 10 Girls:
1. Lulu Wilson (Dunsborough, WA) – 11.00
2. Summer Potter (Mandurah, WA) – 8.13
3. Luca Jacobs (Mandurah, WA) – 6.97
4. Sienna Jones (Doubleview, WA) – 6.14
Under 8 Micro Groms:
1. Luke Harris (Swanbourne, WA) – 13.84
2. Finn Hayes (Hammersley, WA) – 11.04
3. Amelie Wroth (Mandurah, WA) – 10.80
4. Summer Barkhuizen (Eglinton, WA) – 9.80
Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps 2020 Series Schedule:
EVENT 1 – Kiama, NSW – Sept 5 – 6, 2020
EVENT 2 – Northern Beaches, NSW – Sept 12 – 13, 2020
EVENT 3 – Coffs Harbour, NSW – Sept 26 – 27, 2020
EVENT 4 – Cronulla, NSW – Oct 17 – 18, 2020
EVENT 5 – Torquay, VIC – Oct 24 – 25, 2020
EVENT 6 – Clifton Beach, TAS – Oct 31, 2020
EVENT 7 – Trigg, WA – Nov 7 – 8, 2020
EVENT 8 – Fleurieu Peninsula, SA – Nov 14, 2020
EVENT 9 – Gold Coast, QLD – Nov 21 – 22, 2020
EVENT 10 – Sunshine Coast, QLD – Dec 12 – 13, 2020
National Final – Surfing Australia HPC, Casuarina, NSW – Dec 18 – 20, 2020 – Entry by qualification.
