Opening Round of Wahu Surfer Groms Comps Wraps up in Newcastle
(Sunday 15th November, 2009): ALTHOUGH not technically summer, the surfing action was hotter than ever in Newcastle today with the opening event of the nationwide Wahu Surfer Groms Comps wrapping up.
Clean 0.5-1m (2-3ft) waves greeted competitors for day two at South Bar Beach, with the region's 'micro groms' stepping it up a gear for some epic final battles.
The under 15 boys' division impressed all throughout the quarter and semi finals and despite deteriorating conditions with the freshening southerly wind, this trend continued in the final.
Jack Hall (North Narrabeen, NSW) shot to an early lead after a controversial start to the final with Chris Robertson (Cronulla, NSW) suffering an interference call on the tricky A-Frame peak. Despite this putting Robertson right being the eight ball, he showed composure beyond his years, moving into the lead with two impressive 5 point range scores.
However, the door remained wide open for Robertson's rivals with each only needing mid range scores to overtake him.
Bodi Smith (North Narrabeen, NSW) seized this opportunity late in the heat with a solid ride moving him within striking distance but unfortunately time was the enemy and Robertson walked away with the title. Smith finished second, with Jack Hall in third and Harry Muskgrove (Avalon, NSW) in fourth.
"I'm so happy to win here today," exclaimed Robertson. "It was a tough event with everyone ripping and to get over the guys with an interference gives me plenty of confidence."
"The comp was so fun with all the games and prizes and I'm really looking forward to the next one at Dee Why next month," continued Robertson.
For his win, Robertson took home an incredible Wahu Beach Games Pack.
The Under 15 Girls saw Holly-Sue Coffey (Crescent Head) continue her recent good run of form to win the crown from Kristen Thorne (Noraville, NSW) in second and Cali McDonough (North Curl Curl, NSW) in third.
The Under 13 Boys was a very tightly fought affair but it was Toukley's Ryan Slattery who shone above the pack winning from Elanora Heights surfer Dylan Blades in second, Taj Lukas (Cudmirrah, NSW) in third and Zac McDonnell (Avalon, NSW) in fourth.
The 11 Boys Final was won by Sandon Whittaker (Avoca Beach, NSW), with Mitchell Raymond (McMasters Beach, NSW) in second, Darcy Crump (Avalon, NSW) in third and Zane Clifford (Anna Bay, NSW) in fourth.
The Under 9s Parent Assist Division was an awe inspiring affair with the true 'micro-grommets' of the event displaying surfing ability beyond their years. Winning the title was Mikey McDonough (North Curl Curl, NSW) who dominated the final having his three opponents all needing a combination of scores to overtake him. In second was Kurtis Vaughan (Bateau Bay, NSW) with Finn Askew (South West Rocks, NSW) in third and Tye Koolis (Maroubra, NSW) in fourth.
The Under 15 Boys Bodyboard Division was won by Zac Lukas (Cudmirrah, NSW), with Jett Hobbs (Avalon, NSW) in second, Jackson Baker (Merewether, NSW) in third and Connor Gale (Avalon, NSW) in fourth.
The Wahu Surfer Groms Comps will now move to Ocean Grove, Victoria with event two of the seven-event series kicking off on November 21.
The Wahu Surfer Groms Comps are proudly supported by Surfing Australia and it's State branches (NSW, VIC, SA, WA and QLD)
Final Results:
Under 15 Boys
1st - Chris Robertson (Cronulla)
2nd - Bodi Smith (North Narrabeen)
3rd - Jack Hall (North Narrabeen)
4th - Harry Muskgrove (Newport)
Under 15 Girls
1st - Holly-Sue Coffey (Crescent Head)
2nd - Kristen Thorne (Noraville, NSW)
3rd -Cali McDonough (North Curl Curl, NSW)
Under 13 Boys
1st - Ryan Slattery (Toukley)
2nd - Dylan Blades (Elanora Heights)
3rd - Taj Lukas (Cudmirrah)
4th - Zac McDonnell (Avalon)
Under 11 Boys
1st - Sandon Whittaker (Avoca Beach)
2nd - Mitchell Raymond (McMasters Beach)
3rd - Darcy Crump (Avalon)
4th - Zane Clifford (Anna Bay)
Under 9 Parent Assist
1st - Mikey McDonough (North Curl Curl)
2nd - Kurtis Vaughan (Bateau Bay)
3rd - Finn Askew (South West Rocks)
4th - Tye Koolis (Maroubra)
Under 15 Boys Bodyboard
1st - Zac Lukas (Cudmirrah)
2nd - Jett Hobbs (Avalon)
3rd - Jackson Baker (Merewether)
4th - Connor Gale (Avalon)
Wahu Surfer Groms Comps Schedule:
Event 1
November 14-15 2009
Newcastle, NSW
Event 2
November 21-22 2009
Ocean Grove, Victoria
Event 3
December 5 2009
Moana Beach, South Australia
Event 4
December 12-13 2009
Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland
Event 5
December 19-20 2009
Northern Beaches, NSW
Event 6
January 12-13 2010
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Event 7
January 23-24 2010
Trigg Point, Western Australia