2005 Rip Curl GromSearch

Surfing South Africa (SSA) sanctioned event
First stop: Cape Town mobile venue – Muizenberg first option
9 - 10 April, 2005  

Stormy Cape Peninsula Weather Disrupts Finals of First 2005 Rip Curl GromSearch

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 11 April, 2005 : - - An unusual southerly Cape storm brought an early end to proceedings in the first Rip Curl GromSearch when lightning forced organisers to call off the Under 14 boys and Under 16 girls finals. The event was moved from Long Beach to the Ledge, a left point break just inside of the notorious Outer Kom, when strong offshore winds flattened the Long Beach surf.  

Only the Under 12 and Under 16 boys finals could take place before the storm forced contestants, officials and spectators to take refuge at the local Grommets Cafe. Despite the premature end to the well subscribed event officials were able to work out final placings for the surfers in the suspended divisions.  

National junior team member Klee Strachan of Fish Hoek won the Under 16 final beating the highly talented Kommetjie local David Brand into second place. Justin Bing of Hout Bay, who will be representing WP in the SA Longboard Championships in Cape Town soon, was third and Southern Suburbs surfer Brendan Gibbens came fourth. 

The Under 12 final was dominated by the Brand brothers with older brother David beating his nine year old younger brother Benjamin into second place. Michael February, another Kommetjie local, was third and Dane Staples of Cape St Francis came fourth. 

The Under 14 title went the way of Nicholas Godfrey of Cape St Francis  with Shaun Joubert of Mossel Bay second and Kommetjie brothers Thomas and James Woods ending third and fourth respectively. 

GirlZone Surf Club provided three of the four Under 16 Girls finalists including the winner, Jessica Levitt of Constantia. Levitt's maiden victory meant that Lisa Mace of Somerset West had to settle for second with Danielle Johnson placed third and SA Grommet Games winner, Caitlin Morris of St James, fourth.  

The next Rip Curl GromSearch takes place in East London next Saturday, April 16. This is followed by an event in St Michael’s on Sea on the KZN South Coast on June 4 & 5, Ballito on the Natal North Coast on June 11 & 12, Mossel Bay on July 2 and 3, Jeffrey's Bay on 30 & 31, the Western Cape on October 8 & 9 and Durban on October 29 & 30.  

The top two under 16 boys and top under 16 girl from each of the eight Rip Curl GromSearch events automatically qualify to compete in the Grand Final held in Durban later in the year.

The invitational Rip Curl GromSearch Grand Final will be held in Durban on November 26 & 27. At this event an all expenses paid ticket to compete at Bells Beach in Easter 2006 will be at stake for the winner of the U16 boy and Under 16 girl divisions. 

Entry forms for the Rip Curl GromSearch events are available from www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za. 

FULL RESULTS

UNDER 16 BOYS

1. KLEE STRACHAN : FISH HOEK
2. DAVID BRAND : KOMMETJIE
3. JUSTIN BING : HOUT BAY
4. BRENDAN GIBBENS : SOUTHERN SUBURBS

UNDER 16 GIRLS

1. JESSICA LEVITT : CONSTANTIA
2. LISA MACE : SOMERSET WEST
3. DANIELLE JOHNSON : MUIZENBERG
4. CAITLIN MORRIS : ST JAMES

UNDER 14 BOYS

1. NICHOLAS GODFREY : CAPE ST FRANCIS
2. SHAUN JOUBERT : MOSSEL BAY
3. THOMAS WOODS : KOMMETJIE
4. JAMES WOODS ; KOMMETJIE

UNDER 12 BOYS

1. DAVID BRAND: KOMMETJIE
2. BENJAMIN BRAND : KOMMETJIE
3. MICHAEL FEBRUARY : KOMMETJIE
4. DANE STAPLES : CAPE ST FRANCIS

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Mike Larmont
Rip Curl South Africa

Olivia Jones Communications
Olivia@atomgate.com

Groms - Surfersvillage