Christie & Davis begin Rip Curl NZ Gromsearch with wins

Rip Curl Gromsearch NZ Series

Boys and Girls Under 16, 14 and 12
2A rated on Rip Curl Gromsearch Series.
First event 17th/18th April
Location: Gisborne NZ

CHRISTIE AND DAVIS BEGIN RIP CURL GROMSEARCH SERIES WITH WINS

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 19 April 2004: - - Both Richard Christie (Mah) and Mischa Davis (Piha) started off the Rip Curl Gromsearch Series in the best possible fashion. Both surfers won their respective divisions in the Under 16s age group today at the first event in the series.

Christie held off a strong challenge from the other three Under 16 finalists but managed to hold onto first with some committed surfing that saw him lead from the first wave of the heat. Scoring a pair of 7s Christie beat Jason Hayes (WGM) into second place. Hayes posted scores of 6.2 and 5.5 and challenged for the lead on several waves but fell at critical times and was unable to find the 7.81 point score required for the win.

After showing impressive form throughout the event Wiremu Bowers-Rakatau (Auck) and Jhia Steevens (Mah) were unable to find the better of the wind affected waves in the final and had to settle for third and fourth respectively. It was the first time this year that the two surfers had made the finals of a grom event. Their performances will give them a huge confidence boost going into the National Scholastic Championships starting on Tuesday.

As the final hooter sounded for the Under 16 girls final, two surfers were locked up at first equal. Mischa Davis and Airini Mason (Gis) both had scores of 10.10. Davis having the highest single wave score of 5.55 was declared the winner and was clearly stoked on her win, the second this year at this age group.

Christchurch’s Daisy Mason surfed here way to third in the final while Jessica Welch (Gis) finished in fourth unable to find the excellent waves that earlier saw her win her semi final match up.

The Under 14 Boys matched off against each other from the quarter finals having to surf three times before the day ended. Ryan Hawker (Piha) again showed his maturity as he built on his best waves in the final and milked the 1m swells for all they were worth for the win. Challenged right until the end of the final Hawker held on to first over Stefan White (WGM). It was Whites best result of the year and missing his first win in the Under 14s by a mere 0.20 has given him a great start to the Rip Curl Grom Series for 2004. Third placed surfer Mathis Smith (Tara) impressed throughout the weekend and in the final showed glimpses of what he was capable of doing. Sean Peggs (Tairua) picked off some excellent lefts in the final to place fourth.

Airini Mason unable to win the Under 16 division, came out on top of the Under 14 girls. Her strong powerful style was unmatched by the other three finalists as they were required to play catch up throughout the 25 minute final. Mason finished with a total heat score of 11.7 points. Paige Hareb (Tara) placed second in the final with Sharnae Van Der Helder in third and Maddy Phillips (Auck) in fourth.

The Under 12 Boys hammered home a brilliant performance that had everyone commenting on the improvement of these youngsters over the past six months. The four finalists were the same as the previous three grom events this year. Gisborne grom Johnny Hicks was the eventual winner over Karne Pitcher (WGM) Canning Mason (Gis) and Greg Ranga (Waihi Bch).

In the Under 12 Girls the youngest of the Mason sisters Sarah won out of her fellow finalists. The five finalists showed great courage to tackle the 1.0m swells which were well over head high for the youngsters. Ella Williams (WGM) placed second with, Renee Pearson (Gis) in third, Samantha Sanderson Carter (Waihi Bch) in fourth and Lucy Brankin (Tara) in fifth.

Below are the heat draws and results for the six separate divisions.

U16 BOYS Finals
Richard Christie, Mahia, 1, Jason Hayes, Whmata, 2, Wiremu Bowers-Rakatau, Grt Barrier, 3, Jhia Steevens, Gis, 4

U14 BOYS Finals
Ryan Hawker, Piha, 1, Stefan White, Whmata, 2, Mathis Smith, Taranaki, 3, Sean Peggs, Coro, 4

U12 BOYS Finals
Johnny Hicks, Gis, 1, Karne Pitcher, Whmata, 2, Canning Mason, Gis, 3, Greg Ranga, Waihi Bch, 3

U16 GIRLS Finals
Mischa Davis, Akl, 1, Airini Mason, Mahia, 2, Daisy Thomas, ChCh, 3, Jessica Welch, Gis, 4

U14 GIRLS Finals
Airini Mason, Mahia, 1, Paige Hareb, Taranaki, 2, Sharnae Van Der Helder, Rag, 3, Maddy Phillips, Auck, 4

U12 GIRLS Finals
Sarah Mason, Mahia, 1, Ella Williams, Whmata, 2, Renee Pearson, Gis, 3, Samantha Sanderson Carter, Waihi Bch, 4, Lucy Brankin, Oakura, 5

For further information regarding the Rip Curl Gromsearch Series, please contact Leon Parkin on 021 386 473, lparkin@ripcurl.co.nz or Ben Kennings at Surfing New Zealand 0274787369. Alternatively contact Event One Contest Director Terry McMillan on 027 227 8970 or terrym@gdc.govt.nz.

Competition news, results and photos will be available on www.ripcurl.com A Rip Curl media representative can be contacted for further information and/or competitor interviews on the following details: Leon Parkin (Rip Curl Events Manager) Email: lparkin@ripcurl.co.nz Mob: +64 21 386473.

Rip Curl Gromsearch Facts and Background
The Rip Curl Gromsearch Series is the longest running grommet series in New Zealand. The series comprises four events in 2004. Events are scheduled for each of the school holidays and are dotted around New Zealand. Rip Curl Gromsearch events focus on participation in the sport of surfing and are held worldwide. The events offer an excellent opportunity for youngsters to meet other surfers and compete against each other many for the first time in their lives.

This year will see the introduction of an all new International Gromsearch series final to be held at the Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach Australia in April 2005! Rip Curl will be selecting a few lucky grommets to compete at one of the World´s best known sporting events. The chosen few will be able to test their ability against some of the world’s best junior surfers.

Check the below details for dates and locations of the remaining three event series.

Rip Curl Gromsearch Event Two Taranaki, 3rd, 4th July
Rip Curl Gromsearch Event Three Dunedin, 25th, 26th September
Rip Curl Gromsearch Event Four Muriwai, 11th, 12th December

Rip Curl are proud announce that Nintendo have come on board as a major sponsor in this years Gromsearch Series. The world´s most popular hand held games console just became even cooler as Monaco Corporation announced their release this month of the new special edition Rip Curl Game Boy Advance SP! The new Special Edition Rip Curl Gameboy Advance will take it´s place beside the Gameboy Advance on retail shelves nation wide on April 9th 2004. It´s an exciting release for both companies and is sure to be a hit amongst the groms in this year’s Gromsearch Series!

The Rip Curl Gromsearch Series was brought to you by Rip Curl, Nintendo, New Zealand’s Surfing Magazine, Gisborne Boardriders and Surfing New Zealand.

More Australasian Surfing News available here
Check the latest Australasian Surf Reports and Forecasts

For further information regarding the Rip Curl Gromsearch Series, please contact;

Leon Parkin on 021 386 473,
lparkin@ripcurl.co.nz

Ben Kennings
Surfing New Zealand 0274787369,
benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz.

Contest Director
Terry McMillan on 027 227 8970<
terrym@gdc.govt.nz.

Groms - Surfersvillage