WILLOW HARDY AMONGST THE CHAMPIONS CELEBRATED AT THE RIP CURL GROMSEARCH NATIONAL FINAL AT URBNSURF MELBOURNE

Ellie Harrison (Barwon Heads, VIC) and Lennix Smith (Wollongong, NSW) have been crowned 16 & Under Rip Curl GromSearch National Champions today at URBNSURF Melbourne in the 20^th Year of the prestigious grom event.
 
2021 is the first time the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final has been run at URBNSURF and showcased an innovative format testing competitors in turn and barrel waves to crown the most well rounded surfers.
 
The event also ran an exclusive high-performance GromSearch wave setting which is currently unavailable to the public.
 
Local surfer Ellie Harrison was dominant across the event having spent countless hours in the facility over the last 12 months.
 
In the final, she consistently scored excellent scoring rides with the exception of her left barrel wave finishing on a heat total of 29.07 (out of a possible 40).
 
“Im super happy to win the Rip Curl GromSearch at URBNSURF,” said Harrison.  “We had perfect waves all day and got to surf with all my friends. It was epic.”
 
“Ive been lucky to spend lots of time here. Its such a fun wave. Competing in the pool is super different to the ocean, there is a lot of pressure on you to make the waves count. I’m just happy to get a few good scores and win.”
 
Finishing in second was Holly Wishart (Gerringong, NSW) on 22.47 Points. Placing in third and fourth respectively was Charlotte Mulley (Miami, QLD – 20.80 Points) and Mia Huppatz (Jan Juc, VIC – 19.29 Points).
 
Top age surfer Lennix Smith looked right at home at URBNSURF locking in a heat total of 33.07 (out of a possible 40) including an incredible tube ride on his final wave to earn a 10 point ride and the 16 & Under Boys Title.
 
“I’m so stoked. It was so much fun being in the wave pool and I’m so happy to be the National Champ.”
 
“Its awesome to hang out with the boys and get to surf mechanical waves. I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous in my life in the final. Sitting there waiting for the wave is super nerve-wracking.”
 
“I’ve been mates with all the guys in the final forever. We have been surfing against each other since we were little and it’s always fun to go against them.”
 
Marlon Harrison (Coolangatta, QLD) was equally impressive throughout the day however fell short of Smiths total heat score in the final, finishing with 26.50 points.
 
Taj Simon (Port Kembla, NSW – 23.10 Points) and Koda Killorn (Maroubra, NSW – 17.41 Points) finished in third and fourth place.
 
Other event champions include Willow Hardy (Gnarabup, WA – 14 & Under Girls), Fletcher Kelleher (North Steyne, NSW – 14 & Under Boys), Quincy Symonds (Yamba, NSW – 12 & Under Girls) and Kash Brown (Cronulla, NSW – 12 & Under Boys).
 
National Final Event Results:
 
16 & Under Girls
1^st Ellie Harrison (Barwon Heads, VIC) – 29.07 Points
2^nd Holly Wishart (Gerringong, NSW) – 22.47 Points
3^rd Charlotte Mulley (Miami, QLD) – 20.80 Points
4^th Mia Huppatz (Jan Juc, VIC) – 19.29 Points
 
16 & Under Boys
1^st Lennix Smith (Barrack Point, NSW) – 32.67 Points
2^nd Marlon Harrison (Coolangatta, QLD) – 26.50 Points
3^rd Taj Simon (Port Kembla, NSW) – 23.10 Points
4^th Koda Killorn (Maroubra, NSW) – 17.41 Points
 
14 & Under Girls
1^st Willow Hardy (Gnarabup, WA) – 24.00 Points
2^nd Zahlia Short (Wollongong, NSW) – 21.96 Points
3^rd Shyla Short (Wollongong, NSW) – 17.40 Points
4^th Jahly Stokes (Buddina, QLD) – 17.04 Points
 
14 & Under Boys
1^st Fletcher Kelleher (North Steyne, NSW) – 30.33 Points
2^nd Willis Droomer (Jan Juc, VIC) – 26.34 Points
3^rd Eden Hasson (Boat Harbour, NSW) – 23.70 Points
4^th Lucas Hickson (Rye, VIC) – 22.01 Points
 
12 & Under Girls
1^st Quincy Symonds (Yamba, NSW) – 33.59 Points
2^nd Ruby Trew (Curl Curl, NSW) – 27.80 Points
3^rd Sara Hickson (Rye, VIC) – 21.97 Points
4^th Stella Green (Buddina, QLD) – 21.19 Points
 
12 & Under Boys
1^st Kash Brown (Cronulla, NSW) – 24.73 Points
2^nd Ocean Lancaster (Newcastle, NSW) – 21.60 Points
3^rd Caden Francis (Palm Beach, QLD) – 18.67 Points
4^th Hunter Anderson (Moffat Beach, QLD) – 18.00 Points
 
Full results can be found via www.surfingvic.com/live
 
National final DIVISIONS
16 and Under – Girls & Boys
14 and Under – Girls & Boys
12 and Under – Girls & Boys
 
Women’s WSL athletes that were GromSearch finalists include;
Tyler Wright, Steph Gilmore, Sally Fitgibbons, Malia Manuel, Nikki Van Dijk, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Bronte Macaulay, Caroline Marks, Macy Callaghan, Brisa Hennessy, Isabella Nichols & Bethany Hamilton.
(The last 13 WSL women’s World Titles have been won by former GromSearch finalists).
 
Men’s WSL athletes that were GromSearch finalists include;
Gabriel Medina, Owen Wright, Italo Ferreira, Jordy Smith, Kolohe Andino, Filipe Toledo, Kanoa Igarashi, Wade Carmichael, Ryan Callinan, Leonardo Fioravanti, Connor O’Leary & Morgan Cibilic.
(The top 6 surfers of the 2019 WSL world tour rankings were all former GromSearch finalists).

For more information about URBNSURF Melbourne, visit www.urbnsurf.comand follow URBNSURF on Instagram (@urbnsurf), Facebook and LinkedIn.