Billabong Grom Series
in Association with Oceanbridge

Surfing New Zealand
Boys/Girls Under 16, 14 and 12
Whangamata Beach, NZ.
4 - 5 February 2006

HUGE FIELD OF SURFERS MAKE FOR BIG DAY OF SURFING AT EVENT TWO IN WHANGAMATA

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 4 February, 2006 : - - One hundred and twenty of New Zealand’s best young surfers made for a huge day of surfing on day one of the second event in the Billabong Grom Series presented by Oceanbridge.  All surfers got to contest their first round heats in the six divisions that were run today at Whangamata Beach.  The premier Under 16 Boys Division surfed for the majority of the day with the 48 surfer field being whittled down to the semi finals with some brilliant surfing. 

In tricky 0.5m – 1.0m conditions the Under 16 boys contested the last heats day in conditions that became wind affected and difficult to surf.  However the deteriorating conditions did not dampen the competitors enthusiasm as they ripped the waves to bits. 

Local Whangamata surfer Ryan Heath was the first to qualify for the semi finals in fine form as he went on to post 13.0 in quarter final one.  Heath has been looking strong over the past couple of weeks and the results are starting to flow for the young surfer.  Fellow goofy footer Sean Peggs (Tai) is also hitting a purple patch of form after making the finals of the junior division at the Billabong Pro held at the same location last weekend.  Peggs progressed with a score of 11.5 over a lucky Buck Woods (Gis) who snuck through after scoring 4.25 on his last wave to sneak into second on a count back ahead of Johnny Hicks (Gis). 

Seasoned campaigners Ryan Hawker (Piha) and Paco Divers (Sandy Bay) put on solid performances for come from behind wins.  They will look forward to better conditions tomorrow as they forge their way to a possible series win and the air tickets and entry into Billabong’s Occy Grom Comp that are up for grabs for the winners of each division in the series.  Mount Maunganui’s Matt Hewitt also proved his worth holding Divers in second for much of their quarter final.  Hewitt will match up against Divers tomorrow as will Ethan Atikinson (Wgtn) who put in another solid performance as the sole surfer from his region. 

Paige Hareb (Tara) dominated the Under 16 Girls and looked to have a spring in her surfing after recent success across the Tasman.  Scoring 12.75 in her first heat, she moves through to the semi finals alongside Anna Hadfield (Mnt), India Wray Murane (Mur) and local girl Grace Spiers who all had well deserved heat wins.  Spiers also progressed to the semi finals in the Under 14 Girls.  

Mount Maunganui surfer Alex Dive made up for his early exit in the Under 16s by top scoring in the first round of the Under 14s.  Dive scored 12.85 to win his heat and move through to the quarter finals.  Number one and two seeds Karne Pitcher (WGM) and Landem Collier (Gis) both won their heats in good fashion while the other hot favourite Johnny Hicks (Gis) enjoyed the luxury of a ‘walk through’ due to one of the surfers not turning up for his heat. 

The biggest ever field of Under 12 surfers relished the full tide, glassy conditions in the middle of the day.  ‘Experienced’ campaigners such as Tane Wallis and Ben Poulter both of Piha met up with many surfers who were entering the event for the first time.  It was experience that overcome beginners luck with both surfers notching up big heat scores of 13.6 and 12.75 respectively to win their heats.  Ella Williams (WGM) again looked strong in the Under 12 Girls winning her heat to move through to the semi finals. 

Results for the Billabong Grom Series Event Two presented by Oceanbridgeare available at www.surf.co.nz 

www.billabong.com

Previous reports:
# 1 : Coming soon
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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Ben Kennings
benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz

SNZ Grom Contests - Surfersvillage