Hawaiian Island Creations Grommet Challenge

Surfing Queeensland
Gold Coast, Qld.
16 - 19 January 2005

Jordy Smith wins two top disvisions at HIC Grommet Challenge

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 19 January 2005: - - South African Jordy Smith showed why many regard him as a World Champion in the making by winning both the 17 years and under and 19 years and under divisions in fine style at the Hawaiian Island Creations Grommet Challenge held in solid metre to metre and a half right-handers at Duranbah Beach on the Gold Coast.

The South African started slowly in the 17 and under final before grabbing a 7.5 out of a possible 10 points in the 10th minute of the 25 minute final. Smith then sealed the win scoring his 3rd perfect 10 of the event in the 15th minute, for a wave which included two huge aerial moves and a series of powerful turns from the start to finish. Reunion Island surfer Romain Cloitre was the only surfer to come close to catching the South African when he scored a 9.0 in the 13th minute of the final, but could not find the wave to stop the dominance of Smith.

Cloitre placed second with another South African surfer, Clinton Gravett third, and Tweed Coast local lad Brad King 4th, all the other surfers having no choice but fight it out for 2nd place.

In the 19 years and under final Smith started on fire from the second minute of the final scoring an 8.75 for his first wave and was almost unbeatable from that point. In the 6th minute of the 25 minute final he had the title sewn up, scoring a 9.25 for his second wave, once again leaving his fellow competitors fighting it out for second place. He then was just having fun for the rest of the final trying ridiculous aerial maneuvers, and even surfing a wave switch foot in the 12 minute of the final.

Smith was stoked and pleased with his efforts when asked about his two wins, “I am really stoked and thanks to HIC (Hawaiian Island Creations) for putting on such a great event” said Smith who was greeted by his countrymen with flag in hand. “It is great to have a great crew of South Africans here, and they are all surfing really well, I’m stoked”

Harrison Roach of the Sunshine Coast placed second, Bonny Hills surfer Josh Bull 3rd, and Brazilian Alex Chacon 4th. All surfers were in fine form but none could match it with the red hot Jordy Smith.

The domination of the internationals was broken in the 15 years and under boys division by Maroochydore surfer Chris Friend, who like Smith controlled his final from start to finish scoring an 8.5 in the first minute, then a 7.5 in the 5th minute. Sawtell (NSW) surfer Billy Kean was the only one to threaten Friend in the final, Kean scoring a 7.35 in the 19th minute of the 25 minute final to move into 2nd place, but could not find the wave at the end of the heat to overtake Friend. Chris Salisbury (Newport Beach, NSW) placed 3rd, and South African Jaco Steyn placed 4th.

In the 13 years and under division international competitors dominated, Maxime Huscenot of the Reunion Islands winning in fine form from South African Thomas Woods 2nd, Tweed Coast surfer Regan Fredericks 3rd, and Sunshine Coast surfer Paul McGregor 4th.

RESULTS: HAWAIIAN ISLAND CREATIONS GROMMET CHALLENGE

19 YEARS UNDER
1st Jordy Smith (South Africa)
2nd Harrison Roach (Sunshine Beach, Q)
3rd Josh Bull (Bonny Hills, NSW)
4th Alex Chacon (Brazil)

17 YEARS AND UNDER
1st Jordy Smith (South Africa)
2nd Romain Cloitre (Reunion Islands)
3rd Clinton Gravett (South Africa)
4th Brad King (Kingcliff, NSW)

15 YEARS AND UNDER
1st Chris Friend (Maroochydore)
2nd Billy Kean (Sawtell, NSW)
3rd Chris Salisbury (Newport Beach, NSW)
4th Jaco Steyn (South Africa)

13 YEARS AND UNDER
1st Maxime Huscenot (Reunion Islands)
2nd Thomas Woods (South Africa)
3rd Regan Fredericks (Cabarita, NSW)
4th Paul McGregor (Caloundra, Q)

Previous reports:
# 1 : Hawaiian Island Creations Grommet Challenge set to go
# 2 : Jordy Smith a stand out at HIC Grommet Challenge Day 1
# 3 : Aussie Wes Bainbridge claims top heat score at HIC event
# 4 : Jordy Smith raises the level with 19.8 score at HIC event

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Terry “Tappa” Teece
Surfing Queensland
tappa@bigpond.com  

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