Western Australia’s new generation of surfing superstars shone brightly over the weekend, as the second event of the Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps concluded in near-perfect grommet conditions at Trigg Beach.
Seven champions were crowned as competitors from across WA benefitted from light winds, sunny skies and pulsing 2-3 feet waves along the metropolitan 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 lining up in Under-8, Under-10, Under-12 and Under-14 divisions.
The Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps are a fun and friendly introduction to surfing competition, with close to 70 grommets impressing with their skills and sportsmanship on display in and out of the water.
Dunsborough’s Maverick Wilson took out the blue-ribbon Under-14 Boys final, claiming back-to-back wins and downing some of the WA’s hottest young surfers in the process. Wilson’s win came in the final minute of the event, where he blasted off on his backhand to book his spot to 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).
Wilson used his razor sharp forehand and lightening fast backhand to post a two-wave total of 14.77 (from a possible 20) to defeat an impressive trio that pushed him all the way, including Okie Fraser (Margaret River), Ace Flynn (Cowaramup) and Crus Uros (Dunsborough).
“I was pretty nervous out there,” said Wilson. “The waves had been on fire all weekend, but the conditions changed heaps this afternoon making the going pretty tricky and it was hard to find a wave to really open up on.”
Margaret River’s Olive Hardy also made the most of the testing afternoon conditions, claiming victory in a similar fashion to Wilson, with an excellent 8.00 (from a possible 10) coming in the final moments of the in the Under-14 Girls final.
Hardy will join Wilson at the Surfing Australia High Performance Centre, after some great surfing saw her take down inform surfers Edel Rodden (Geraldton), Leila Fraser (Margaret River) and Grace Cook (Cowaramup).
“I’m so happy right now,” said Hardy. “This is probably one of the best prizes you can win and after my sister Willow attended the HPC in the past, I always wanted to go as well. Thanks to all the girls in the final and thanks to my family for their support.”
The Under-12 Boys and Girls also provided plenty of highlights, as they also battled hard through the windswept afternoon conditions.
Cruz Macdonald (Geraldton) was a standout, claiming a gutsy win in the Under-12 Boys. No stranger to a bit of wind, hailing from the Mid-West, Macdonald’s surfing stood up when it mattered most, finishing ahead of Jack Bulloch (Secret Harbour), Cruz Uros (Dunsborough) and Taylor Flynn (Cowaramup).
“This is probably my biggest win I’ve had so far,” said Macdonald. “Thanks to my mum for driving me all the way from Geraldton and all the sponsors and surfers who made it such a memorable event.”
Grace Cook (Cowaramup) proved she’s definitely a surfer to keep an eye on, winning the Under-12 Girls final. Cook’s improvement over the last 12 months was obvious to anyone watching, as her strong technique and superior wave selection saw her take the win ahead of Sienna Bowdell (Cowaramup), and Mandurah duo of Isla Wroth and Neco Higgins.
“I’ve loved this weekend and apart from that final, the waves have been really good,” said Cook. “Thanks to my friends and family who have helped me so much.”
Jack Bowdell (Cowaramup) and Luca Jacobs (Mandurah) were a popular winners of the Under 10 Boys and Under 10 Girls divisions respectively, with the pair impressing greatly getting chaired up the beach to great applause.
While, Fred Browne-Cooper (Swanbourne) took out the hotly contested Under 8 Micro Groms division on a combined total of 13.33 (from a possible 20), which saw him pushed in by his dad and complete a series of impressive power wiggles on his way to the win ahead of Amelie Waddell (Wembly Downs).
“Our WA grommets should all give themselves a big pat on the back,” said Surfing WA Events Manager Justin Majeks “The levels of froth, fun, encouragement & excitement on display were through the roof this weekend.”
Two lucky surfers were recognised for their efforts and sportsmanship at the event, receiving the Woolworths ‘Fresh Pick’ Award, with Okie Fraser (Margaret River) and Grace Cook (Cowaramup) each receiving a $250 Woolworths gift voucher.
Luca Jacobs (Mandurah) and Leila Fraser (Margaret River) were awarded the Pic’s Peanut Butter Star Performer Awards for their outstanding efforts throughout the event.
Regarded as one of the major stepping stones 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 South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Tasmania over summer.
Each division of the 2021 Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps has been added to the 2021 Surfing Australia National Junior Rankings with each event rated at 4500pts for first place with points descending respectively. A result at this event will contribute to a competitor’s overall National Junior Ranking.
Stay tuned to www.surfingwa.com.au for news, photos and updates relating to this and any other event junior surfing events in WA.
2021 Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps Event # 2, Trigg Beach – Final Results:
Under 14 Boys:
1. Maverick Wilson (Dunsborough, WA) – 14.77
2. Okie Fraser (Margaret River, WA) – 14.10
3. Ace Flynn (Cowaramup, WA) – 13.40
4. Cruz Uros (Dunsborough, WA) – 10.00
Under 14 Girls:
1. Olive Hardy (Margaret River, WA) – 15.50
2. Edel Rodden (Geraldton, WA) – 12.70
3. Leila Fraser (Margaret River, WA) – 10.47
4. Grace Cook (Cowaramup, WA) – 10.30
Under 12 Boys:
1. Cruz Macdonald (Geraldton, WA) – 12.57
2. Rhys Bulloch (Secret Harbour, WA) – 11.83
3. Cruz Uros (Dunsborough, WA) – 11.17
4. Taylor Flynn (Cowaramup, WA) – 8.30
Under 12 Girls:
1. Grace Cook (Cowaramup, WA) – 16.63
2. Sienna Bowdell (Cowaramup, WA) – 14.66
3. Isla Wroth (Mandurah, WA) – 10.66
4. Neco Higgins (Mandurah, WA) – 7.40
Under 10 Boys:
1. Jack Bowdell (Cowaramup, WA) – 11.10
2. Dylan Murray (Mandurah, WA) – 10.96
3. Jaxon Robertson (Joondalup, WA) – 8.93
4. Fred Browne-Cooper (Swanbourne, WA) – 8.04
Under 10 Girls:
1. Luca Jacobs (Mandurah, WA) – 12.66
2. Lily Naylor (Cowaramup, WA) – 12.33
3. Summer Barkhuizen (Eglinton, WA) – 10.00
4. Ily Fraser (Margaret River, WA) – 9.96
Under 8 Micro Groms:
1. George Browne-Cooper (Swanbourne, WA) – 13.33
2. Amelie Waddell (Wembley Downs, WA) – 9.74
Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps 2021 Schedule:
Surfer Groms Comps – EVENT 1 – Fleurieu Peninsula, SA – Oct 16, 2021
Surfer Groms Comps – EVENT 2 – Trigg, WA – Oct 23 – 24, 2021
Surfer Groms Comps – EVENT 3 – Clifton Beach, TAS – Oct 30, 2021
Surfer Groms Comps – EVENT 4 – Coffs Harbour, NSW – Nov 6 – 7, 2021
Surfer Groms Comps – EVENT 5 – Kiama, NSW – Nov 13 -14, 2021
Surfer Groms Comps – EVENT 6 – Gold Coast, QLD – Nov 20 – 21, 2021
Surfer Groms Comps – EVENT 7 – Torquay, VIC – Nov 27 – 28, 2021
Surfer Groms Comps – EVENT 8 – Cronulla, NSW – Dec 4 – 5, 2021
Surfer Groms Comps – EVENT 9 – Northern Beaches, NSW – Dec 11 – 12, 2021
Surfer Groms Comps – EVENT 10 – Sunshine Coast, QLD – Dec 11 – 12, 2021
Surfer Groms Comps – Nat Final – Surfing Aus HPC, Casuarina NSW – Dec 17 – 19, 2021
NOTE: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation and Surfing Australia’s commitment to comply with all State and Federal regulations, series dates are subject to change at any time.
