Rip Curl GromSearch presented by SNICKERS®

Maroubra Beach Sydney
13 - 16 January 2007

Rip Curl GromSearch at Sydney’s Maroubra Beach kicks off with a visit from Pro Surfing Star Ben Dunn

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 13 January, 2007 : - -  Under the watchful eye of Ben Dunn preparing for his rookie year of the World Championship Tour (WCT) all GromSearch competitors were keen to impress at Maroubra Beach today. At 20 years of age Dunn is an Idol of young surfers Australia wide and was more than happy to give entrants a few tips about their competitive surfing out in the clean 3feet surf on offer at South Maroubra. Competitors were clearly inspired and put in a great collective display in the tricky conditions!  

Central Coast surfer Sam Patterson was the clear standout of the 16 and under boys round one which started off the days action. Patterson impressed with a convincing win over Mitchell Sykes (Bonny Hills) and Blake Thompson (Long Jetty), claiming the top two wave scores of the day with an outstanding 8.67 and 8.33. These two scores also gave him the best overall heat total for the day a 17 out of a possible 20. Sam is an experienced surfer with great results in past GromSearch events and the only reason he was not seeded into the second round was his late entry! 

“I was knocked out of the first round of a Pro Junior in Victoria a few days ago and knew I had to turn my luck around. Before my heat I noticed a nice right hander which occasionally peeled all the way down the bank and I managed to be in the right place at the right time. I am stoked to return to form and I hope to maintain a good rhythm for tomorrow when we have to surf against the seeded surfers.” 

Other standouts from today rounds included local surfers Daniel Perica (Bronte) and Max Ayshford (Matraville) with visitors Jason Jameson (Cabarita Beach) and Wes Bainbridge (Merewether) also putting in strong performances. These competitors all claimed heat wins and the judges were impressed with the way they surfed awarding them all with extremely competitive points total. 

Progressing surfers from round one will be tested when they come up against the seeded surfers in round two tomorrow. Surfers to look out for include James Woods (Coolangatta), Perth Standlick (Bondi Beach), Sam Lendrum (Nords Wharf), Max Brokman (Manly) and Davey Cathels (Narrabeen) who have all had great GromSearch results in the past. 

With the southerly wind predicated to stick around, organizers are optimistic for great waves to continue at Maroubra for the duration of the event period. Both the 16 and under Boy and Girl Champions from this event will go on to the National GromSearch Final at Bells Beach next Easter. As part of the prestigious Rip Curl Pro World Championship Tour event they get they chance to compete for the two spots available to represent Australia in the International GromSearch Final, which runs as a specialty event along with the professionals! 

Today’s SNICKERS® wave of the day award went to Sam Patterson!

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Steve Robertson

Groms - Surfersvillage