Rip Curl GromSearch
Presented by Snickers

Surfing Australia
Jan Juc, Victoria Australia
23 - 26 September 2008

Semi Finalist’s decided at Rip Curl GromSearch
Newcastle surfers again dominate on a high scoring day at Jan Juc Beach.

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 25 September, 2008 : - - The young super talents from Newcastle are the surfers to beat at the opening event of the Rip Curl GromSearch Series presented by SNICKERS on Victoria’s Surfcoast. Both  Ryan Callinan (Merewether) and Jake Sylvester (Barr Beach) in the 16 Boys division lead the charge  by qualifying for the 16 Boys semi finals and both are confident of moving through to the final tomorrow.

After today’s quarter final win Callinan said “ The waves have been great to now, really suited to my surfing with perfect offshore winds and I’m confident I can win here if I get the right waves in the semi’s and finals – All heats at this level require good wave selection as well as good surfing and I’m feeling good about my surfing – My Newcastle buddy Jake Sylvester is possibly my biggest danger but all the surfers through to the semi rip and anyone of them could win.”

The decisive wave for Callinan in today’s quarter final win was an excellent 8.33 which saw him take a good victory over local surfer Shyama Buttonshaw who placed 2nd in his quarter final and  also advanced to the semi finals with two impressive 6 point rides.

Jake Sylvester was also in great form today posting an outstanding 9.56 opening ride in his quarter final and he advanced to the semi’s surprisingly in 2nd place behind Gold Coast gun Thomas Woods whose two wave heat tally included an 8.2 and a 7.6 to win the quarter final.

- -

Eleven year old Newcastle/Merewether Beach  surfer Jackson Baker proved his perfect 10 point ride from two days ago at the Rip Curl GromSearch was no fluke by again producing an outstanding quarter final performance to advance to the semi finals of the 12 Boys. Baker opened his quarter final with an outstanding 9.6 ride and shortly after backed it up with an excellent 8.6 to dominate the quarter final and he’ll be extremely hard to beat in this division on finals day tomorrow.

His biggest challenge is likely to come from Victorian surfer Joe Van Dijk  (Phillip Island) who also posted an impressive quarter final win today and  although his scores were not as high as Bakers, Van Dijk shows plenty of talent and competitive spirit and he’s sure to throw down a big effort when he eventually meets Baker.

Local Torquay Surfer Harrison Mann was another very impressive surfer today. The 14 year old powerful natural foot surfer has surfed in two divisions here in the 14 Boys and 16 Boys with success and after progressing to the quarter finals of the 16 Boys said “ I’m really focusing on the 14 division and only surfing the 16’s for the experience – I feel I can win the 14’s, especially here at Jan Juc which I surf all the time. At a national level I’ve made finals against most of the interstate surfers but I’d like to win one and this is a good opportunity to win.”

Mann comfortably won his 14 Boys semi final but late in the day lost his 16 Boys quarter final.

The biggest surprise of the day was Ellie – Jean Coffey (Crescent Head/NSW)  who was eliminated in the 16 Girls semi finals by Sydney’s Lauren McAleer and Mid north coast NSW surfer Kate Raines. Coffey remains in contention in the 14 Girls division but the very talented surfer from Crescent Head was also a favourite in the 16’s division.

Victorian girls Jessica Laing and Nikki Van Dijk (both Phillip Island) were also in great form today both advancing to the Girls 16 final.

Jackson Baker’s 9.6 ride and overall outstanding quarter final performance saw him awarded the SNICKERS wave of the day today.

Winners of the 16’s division of the Rip Curl GromSearch ratings will receive a guaranteed place in the National Finals at Bells Beach, Victoria during the prestigious World Tour event, the Rip Curl Pro. The Rip Curl GromSearch National Series is held during this event at Easter next year, in front of the thousands of people it attracts – quite a prize for a young surfer who aspires to this.

Each day there’ll be a SNICKERS wave of the day awarded to one surfer who performs outstandingly on a single wave and the SNICKERS expression sessions will again feature, encouraging super progressive moves from Australia’s hottest young talents.

Winners of the 16’s division of the Rip Curl GromSearch ratings will receive a guaranteed place in the National Finals at Bells Beach, Victoria during the prestigious World Tour event, the Rip Curl Pro. The Rip Curl GromSearch National Series is held during this event at Easter next year, in front of the thousands of people it attracts – quite a prize for a young surfer who aspires to this.

The 2008/09 Rip Curl GromSearch series is proudly presented by SNICKERS in association with Waves Magazine, Fuel TV, and Surfing Australia. Further information on the GromSearch series can be accessed at ripcurl.com. Surfing Australia can provide competition entry forms as well as updated information on each of the events proceedings and surfers ratings which is accessed at surfingaustralia.com

The Rip Curl GromSearch series travels to seven different spots around Australia, giving young hopefuls a chance to surf in their own backyards in an effort to make their way to the National Finals at Bells Beach.

2008/2009 RIP CURL GROMSEARCH DATES
Vic Jan Juc Sept 23-26, 2008
NSW Coffs Harbour Oct 3-6, 2008
WA Mandurah Oct 11-12, 2008
Tas Clifton Oct 25-26, 2008
SA Middleton Nov 22-23, 2008
Qld Gold Coast Dec 15-19, 2008
Sydney Cronulla Jan 17-20, 2009

National Final Bells April 6, 2009
International Final Bells April 9-14, 2009

Previous reports:
# 1 : Rip Curl GromSearch Series off and running at Jan Juc
# 2 : Rip Curl GromSearch scores excellence at Torquay Point
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

www.ripcurl.com

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Steve Robertson

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