Jacob Wilcox on fire on day two of the Wahu Surfer Grom Comp WA
(Trigg point, WA – Sunday 24th Jan, 2010): Another perfect summer’s day at Trigg Point saw the finals of the Wahu Surfer Grom Comp run and won by a number of WA rising surfing stars. An increase in the swell overnight allowed for more high performance surfing across all divisions, with competitors greeted to clean offshore conditions and more consistent waves than on day one.
The Wahu Surfer Grom Comps put a heavy emphasis on kids having fun. While most kids were happy simply throwing on their coloured rash vests and having a splash, it was the U15 Boys division that really showed the love of competition surfing was very much alive at the event. Despite deteriorating conditions thanks to freshening southerly winds, the blue ribbon U15 Boys final showcased some of the weekend’s best surfing with all four finalists exchanging good scores in a frantic 25 minutes.
Jacob Wilcox (Margaret River) wasted no time and shot to an early lead after managing to link together some strong manoeuvres on his backhand. The lightly footed goofy, managed to find the best waves of the final and took them like a man possessed. On one wave Wilcox completed no less than 6 backhand turns all the way to the beach and was rewarded with impressive score of 7.50 from a possible 10.
Wilcox, showed composure beyond his years and waited patiently for the waves that offered the most scoring potential. His game plan was effective and went on to lock away a back up 6.00 ride. This combined total of 13.50 was more than enough to out score Sam Humphry (Wembly Downs) in second place, with Zac Haynes-Love (City Beach) finishing third ahead of Geraldton’s James Fleming.
“It was tough work out there, the wind was getting stronger and there was a pretty big rip running through the line up. I managed just to sit and wait for a few that sucked up off that rip and they ran all the way to shore.” Said an elated Wilcox whose domination didn’t finish in the U15 division.
In the story of the day, Wilcox also went on to claim first place in the U13 Boys division, making it two from two for the Margaret River ripper. Wilcox used his superior wave selection to defeat close friend Shaun Manners (Margaret River), Rhys Jones (Marmion), and Fraser Scott (Kalbarri) in a one sided final. The dynamic duo from Margaret River exchanged scores with Manners applying plenty of pressure, but in the end it wasn’t enough to stop the stream rolling efforts of Wilcox who asserted his dominance with smooth rail to rail surfing.
“I cant really believe it, I didn’t think I could win both divisions.”
“It was good fun when you could find the right ones, you just had to patient and wait. They’ve been tough heats all day and this was no different.” Said Wilcox after another awesome performance.
For his efforts Wilcox left with enough Wahu beach products to sink a ship. “Im not even sure what Im going to do with all this, its all such cool stuff though, Im stoked.”
In other results from today, Lachie Taylor (Karrinyup) was too strong at his home break winning the U11 Boys division ahead of eight year old Kaya Horne (New Zealand), Kashmir Jones (Gracetown) and Ethan Barry (Geraldton).
“This event was the best. Good waves, cool prizes and heaps of games, I cant wait to again next year.” Commented Taylor who was all smiles at the presentations.
Eliza Greene (Yallingup) continued her rapid improvement and matched the efforts of Wilcox, with a win in both the U15 and U13 Girls finals.
Without a doubt the most applauds and inspiration came from the true ‘micro-grommets’ of the event in the U9 Boys & Girls division. Competitors are allowed a helping hand from mum or dad to push them into the waves, but once up these finalists were tearing the waves apart like seasoned pros, keeping the sport in some small but safe hands into the future. Winning the title was an unstoppable Kaya Horne (New Zealand) who was cutting and weaving his way across anything. In second was wahine Bridgette Manners (Margaret River) with Aiden Flynn (Falcon) in third and William Frewin (City Beach) rounding out the top four.
The Under 15 Boys Bodyboard division was won by Davis Blackwell (Mandurah), with James Purivs (Margaret River) in second and Luke Dickson (Busselton) in fourth.
Overall, the new event to WA must be hailed a major success with great surf, inspired grommets and stoked parents, all the ingredients to an awesome surfing event. Trigg Point hosted the final event of a long seven event series which has given groms across Australia a chance to mix it up in a fun, safe and friendly environment.
Full results and pictures can be found at www.surfingaustralia.com or at wahu.com.au.
The Wahu Surfer Groms Comps are proudly supported by Surfing Australia and Surfing WA.
Final Results:
Under 15 Boys
1st - Jacob Wilcox (Margaret River)
2nd – Sam Humphry (Wembly Downs)
3rd – Zac Haynes-Love (City Beach)
4th – James Fleming (Geraldton)
Under 15 Girls
1st – Eliza Green (Yallingup)
2nd – Rebecca Lickel (Dunsborough)
Under 13 Boys
1st – Jacob Wilcox (Margaret River)
2nd – Shaun Manners (Margaret River)
3rd – Rhys Jones (Marmion)
4th – Fraser Scott (Kalbarri)
Under 13 Girls
1st – Eliza Green (Yallingup)
Under 11 Boys
1st – Lachie Taylor (Karrinyup)
2nd – Kaya Horne (Bay of Plenty, NZL)
3rd – Kashmir Jones (Gracetown)
4th – Ethan Barry (Geraldton)
Under 9 Parent Assist
1st – Kaya Horne (Bay of Plenty, NZL)
2nd – Bridgette Manners (Margaret River)
3rd – Aiden Flynn (Falcon)
4th – William Frewin (City Beach)
Under 15 Bodyboard Final
1st – Davis Blackwell (Mandurah)
2nd – James Purvis (Margaret River)
3rd – Luke Dickson (Busselton)