Jack Robinson : photo Steve Robertson
Rusty Gromfest
Lennox Head, NSW Australia 11 - 15 July 2008
High scores and awesome surfing highlight day two of Rusty Gromfest
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 12 July, 2008 : - - Lennox Head -- High scores and superior surfing from the world’s best junior surfers highlighted the action packed second day of the Rusty Gromfest. Surfing in pristine 1 meter conditions at the wave rich Lennox Head the standard of surfing was through the roof, with high scores and big moves on show.
None more impressive was Michael Wright (Culburra Beach, NSW) who dominated his first round heat of the under 12 boys. Accruing the highest single wave score (9.75 out of a possible 10) and combined heat total (17.75 out of a possible 20) of the event thus far, Wright was on-fire. “There were some really good waves out there this morning,” Wright said. “I love coming up to Lennox to surf at the Gromfest every year,” he added.
After placing second to Soli Bailey last year in the under 12 division, Wright is looking to do one better and is feeling extremely confident after taking out the prestigious Occy’s Grom Comp last week. “I just want to surf as well as I can, but the goal is definitely win it,” Wright admitted. “I’m feeling pretty confident after last week’s result, but the standard of surfing is super hard and it’s going to be hard to win.”
Fellow under 12 boy’s counterpart Jeames Young (Angourie, NSW), was another early morning standout, displaying silky smooth style and flow, en-route to the next round. “It was really easy to find waves this morning,” Young said. “I feel really comfortable surfing in this area,” the Angourie local said. “I surf a lot around here and do all my training in the Byron area so hopefully it works to my advantage.”
After a result last year that was well below his own critically high standards, Young is desperate to do well in 2008. “I’m definitely looking to do better this year...It’s such a good event, the set-up is really good and the standard of competition is really hard. I love coming here.”
Featuring the best 344 young surfers on the planet, day two of the Rusty Gromfest also showcased the outstanding surfing talents of the domestic and international girls. Leading the Australian charge was Naomi Stevic (Castaways, QLD) who surfed exceptionally well in the under 16 girls and qualified for the next round of competition.
Last week Stevic placed 2nd in the first of these pair of internationally acclaimed Grommet events on the Gold Coast and she is now competing in her last Rusty Gromfest and she is looking for a fitting finale. “It’s such a fun competition and I’m a bit sad that this will be my last year,” she said. I’m looking for a good result and to finish on a high note.”
Renowned the world over as the original and most prestigious junior competition this year’s Rusty Gromfest sees competitors from England, Peru, New Zealand, Tahiti, Chile, South Africa and Bali diverging on Lennox Head. “It’s the biggest competition for a lot of these girls and the international field produces such a really high standard,” Stevic said. “It’s really good for girls surfing.”
Competition is set to continue tomorrow at Lennox Head with more excellent junior surfing action, with finals day set for Monday 15 July. Daily releases and images will be forwarded around 2:30pm. Head to rusty.com.au and go to the Gromfest Blog page to check out more action.
Previous reports: # 1 : Rusty Gromfest off and running at Lennox Head Beaches # 2 : Coming soon # 3 : Coming soon # 4 : Coming soon
www.rusty.com.au www.surfingaustralia.com
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Steve Robertson
Groms - Surfersvillage |