Rip Curl GromSearch
Presented by Snickers

Surfing Australia
Newcastle NSW
1 - 4 October 2006

Northern Sydney Beaches Pair claim prestigious Rip Curl GromSearch positions and are headed for Bells Beach!

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 4 October, 2006 : - - Northern Beaches Sydney pair Laura Enever (Narrabeen) and Steve Ahrens (North Curl Curl) today won the 16 and under Girl and Boy divisions of the Rip Curl GromSearch Newcastle. Both were the form surfers going into today's finals following strong quarter and semi final wins in the good clean 1m (3ft) surf at Merewether Beach.

For both surfers the win now gains them the much sort after position into the national GromSearch final at Bells Beach next Autumn and if they can win at that event they go onto the International GromSearch final which runs in conjunction with the World Championship Tour Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach next Easter.

For Enever, winning GromSearch events is nothing new and she's certain to be favourite for the international final following an excellent past 6 months that has seen her really dominate her aged division.

" That's two wins in a row on the GromSearch this year and I think five in total! I love these events and today's final was one of the best because the other girls really surfed great and the lead changed all the time. The national and international finals are definitely my goal and it's something to look forward to and work toward - Bells at Easter will be unreal!"

It was certainly one of the toughest wins for Enever who trailed throughout the final with Sth Coast NSW surfer Jessica Dobson (Moyura) and local Merewether surfer Phillipa Anderson seemingly in control and challenging each other for the win until Enever found an excellent final ride to score 7.67 and jump from third to first place. Another local Merewether surfer in Laura Byrnes finished fourth in the final

The Boys 16 and under final was just as exciting. Steve Ahrens opened with two strong 6 and 7 point rides but thereafter found it hard to find a wave to increase his lead. Meanwhile local surfers Ryan Callinan (Merewether) and Sam Lundrum (Nord's Wharf) set about chasing the lead and both found good scoring opening rides and only required 6 point plus rides to go to the lead.

A number of waves were caught by both surfers that appeared potentially good enough to deliver the score but neither surfer was able to finish of the waves well enough and were forced to settle for 2nd and 3rd placings behind Ahrens -

Relieved to take the title Ahrens said " These are great events to surf in because there's always a lot of good surfers chasing the win and the opportunity to surf at Bells during Easter against the worlds best under 16 surfers - I can't wait!"

Four Newcastle surfers in the two premier 16 and under division finals (two in each), was a great performance from the locals and they excelled in many of the younger divisions as well which should ensure great surfing talent from the area nationally in the coming years.

Jake Sylvester (Bar Beach) was the local standout winning the super high quality 14 and under Boys final.Sylvester controlled the final throughout and made certain of his win with an excellent 8.1 ride with five minutes to go. That ride finally tamed Thomas "Tiger" Woods from the Gold Coast who had been in great form throughout the event but had to settle for second place behind Sylvester today.

Other highlights from the younger divisions included double GromSearch victories to Girls under 14 surfer India Payne (Victoria/Phillip Island) and under 12 Boys winner Jesse Horner (NSW/Cronulla) - Like Laura Enever, both won the Victorian division of the series last month as well!

Snickers wave of the day went to Merewether's Ryan Callinan for an outstanding 9 point ride which he posted in his semi final today.

Waves Magazine subscriptions for highest scoring heat tallies of the event were won by Thomas Woods (Coolangatta) and Phillipa Anderson (Merewether).

The Carve skateboard for the most promising performance went to James Woods completing an awesome week for the Woods boys!

Next event on the Series is Rip Curl GromSearch Tasmania late this month!

Previous reports:
# 1 : Thomas Woods dominates day at Rip Curl GromSearch

Previous reports/photos/videos/etc. available here

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Steve Robertson

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