Rip Curl GromSearch, W.A. results

Jacob Wilcox © Surfing WA/Woolacott

Rip Curl GromSearch

Surfing Western Australia
Trigg Beach, Western Australia
20 - 21 October 2012

Willcox Wows His Way To Back To Back GromSearch Titles

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 21 October, 2012 : - - Jacob Willcox (Margaret River) and Cali McDonagh (Lennox Heads, NSW) were the standout performers on the final day of the WA leg of the Rip Curl GromSearch, presented by Telstra. The pair took out the premier 16 and under divisions in beautiful summer-like conditions at Perth’s Trigg Beach with 1-2 feet waves providing the perfect setting for the next generation of Australian grommets to strut their stuff.

Willcox took the lead early in the 25 minute blue ribbon final with a series of mid range scores, before locking in a near perfect 9.00 point ride (from a possible out of ten) to shut the gate and effectively force his fellow finalists to battle it out for second. Willcox's two wave total of 16.83 (from a possible 20) ended up being the third highest of the entire event and was enough to ensure he secured back to back wins, but more importantly for him the invite to the GromSearch National final, to be held in Coolum, Queensland this December.

“I’m really happy to win the event in tricky conditions and get the chance to go to the National final, it’s great to come out on top.” Willcox said who will cap off his win with a maiden trip to Hawaii in November. McDonagh had to fend off her rivals for the crown in a tense final with WA girls Eliza Greene (Yallingup) and Emi Campbell (Denmark) snapping at her heals. McDonagh paid tribute to the friendly hospitality of the local crew when accepting her trophy and vowed to be back to the West soon.

Cali McDonagh was equally happy with her win commenting, "This my first time to WA and also my first win at a GromSearch event so I’m really happy".

Cali McDonagh © Surfing WA/Woolacott

Other standouts for the day included Shaun Manners (Margaret River), who won the 14 and under boys and placed 3rd in the 16’s boys also. Dakoda Walters (Angourie, NSW) also impressed on his way to winning the 12 and under boys division after travelling to WA for his first time. Walters locked in the second highest wave total of the event (17.17 out of 20) on his way to the final and thoroughly deserved the win.

Other winners included Emi Campbell (Denmark) who took out the 14 & under girls, while April McPherson (Mandurah) won the 12 & under girls.

The Telstra Performance Award went to Josh Cattlin (Marmion) for his outstanding performance over two divisions. The five:am Rising Star Award for the best up and coming talent went to Felix Leaver (Yallingup). The Rip Curl Standout Surfer Award went to Pascal Hutchinson (Carine)

The five:am Expression Session was a hit and entries surfed the packed beach in the early afternoon. Fuelled by their five:am yoghurt packs the groms took every wave that broke in an effort to secure some of the prizes with Lauchie Mitchell-D'Raine (Duncraig) taking the major prize and Alex McGuffin (East Fremantle), April McPherson (Mandurah) and Emma Cattlin (Trigg Beach) also featuring.

Shaun Manners © Surfing WA/Woolacott

RIP CURL GROMSEARCH EVENT # 3 OFFICIAL RESULTS:

16 & Under Boys >
1 - Jacob Willcox (Margaret River)
2 - James Fleming (Geraldton)
3 - Shaun Manners (Margaret River)
4 - Harry McPherson (Mandurah)

16 & Under Girls >
1 - Cali McDonagh (Lennox Heads, NSW)
2 – Eliza Greene (Yallingup)
3 - Emi Campbell (Denmark)
4 – Luciana Burke (Margaret River)

14 & Under Boys >
1 -   Shaun Manners (Margaret River)
2 -   Kael Walsh (Yallingup)
3 -   Felix Leaver (Yallingup)
4 -   Josh Cattlin (Marmion)

14 & Under Girls >
1 - Emi Campbell (Margaret River)
2 - Bailee Hastie (Margaret River)
3 - Ella Massie (Margaret River)
4 - Luciana Burke (Margaret River)

12 & Under Boys >
1 - Dakoda Walters (Angouris, NSW),
2 - Mikey McDonagh (Lennox Heads, NSW)
3 - Josh Cattlin (Marmion)
4 – Ben Gradison (Margaret River)

12 & Under Girls >
1 - April McPhersom (Mandurah)
2 - Emma Cattlin (Marmion)
3 - Jamacia Selby (Margaret River)
4 - India Willcox (Margaret River)
5 – Evie Dupuy (Albany)

The Rip Curl GromSearch series is presented by Telstra, with five:am Organic Yoghurt. Event partners Penny Skateboards, Polaroid Cameras, DHD Surfboards and Surfing Life Magazine