Know Your Groms: Meet Cedar of Avalon

Cedar Leigh-Jones © Ethan Smith/SNSW

Team Updates

Cedar going strong in the under 9s and under 11s

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 8 February, 2013 : - - Avalon’s Cedar Leigh-Jones has been unstoppable. The eight-year-old surfer is currently undefeated in the three NSW Wahu Grom Comps events having notched up six victories across the under-9s and the under-11s divisions. Cedar also recently returned from the Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre in Casuarina where she joined Sally Fitzgibbons at her Pro Surfer Camp.

Surfing NSW decided to catch up with Cedar prior to the Wahu Surfer Groms Comp at Wollongong to talk about her crazy track-record, the future and why she likes competing.

You’ve taken six Wahu victories over the last three events. How does that feel?
Yeah, it feels pretty good. It’s always fun and exciting.

Have any win been better than the others?
No, they’ve all been really good. I can’t pick a favourite.

Which event do you have the fondest memories of?
Probably Coffs Harbour. I loved the waves we got up there.

You’re surfing in the under-9s where a lot of kids are being pushed in by their parents, how did you learn to paddle so well?
My Dad taught me to paddle and he never really pushed me.

What age did you start surfing?
I started when I was two-years-old, but I stopped for two-years and then started again.

Why?
I don’t know really.

Is there anything better than catching a good wave?
No, probably not.

Do you want to be a professional surfer when you’re older?
Yep, definitely.

Who’s your favourite female surfer?
Probably Sally and Steph. They’re really good surfers and they’re always really happy. I like them.

Who are some of the local surfers you look up to at Avalon?
Probably my sister, Bodhi. We surf together most of the time.

Has she taught you a lot?
Yeah, she’s taught my use my arms and stuff.

What moves are you trying to make on a surfboard at the moment?
I really want to do a proper re-entry and also I want to learn how to do an air. I haven’t tried any yet though.

Due to a dangerous swell prediction, Surfing NSW has rescheduled the Wahu Surfer Groms Comp at Wollongong until the 23-24th of February. The rescheduled event will be the final opportunity for the respective winners of the under-13 boys' and girls' finals to score an invite to attend an all-expenses paid, three-day Wahu Surf Camp at the Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre on March 8-10, 2013.

All surfers who had paid their entry fees for the event automatically gain entry into the rescheduled competition.