Wade Carmichael : photo Steve Robertson

Rip Curl GromSearch
Presented by Snickers

Surfing New South Wales
Coffs Harbour NSW Australia
3 - 6 October 2008

Rip Curl GromSearch presented by SNICKERS ready to light up Coffs Harbour

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 30 September, 2008 : - - Park Beach, NSW -- World-class junior surfing returns to Coffs Harbour this week with the Rip Curl GromSearch presented by SNICKERS bringing the hottest surfing talent in the country to the Coffs coast.

In what has been described as the most influential grommet series throughout the country, the Rip Curl GromSearch is as an enormous stepping-stone for Australia’s elite, young surfers. With male and female surfers competing in three divisions -16 years and under, 14 years and under and 12 years and under – the action is sure to be electric as the country’s best grommets battle it out for precious ratings points and surfing supremacy.

One such competitor is Wade Carmichael (Avoca, NSW), who placed third in the first Rip Curl GromSearch presented by SNICKERS event at Jan Juc in the 16 years and under division. Speaking from Bells Beach, where he is awaiting the start of the last ASP Australasia Pro Junior event, Carmichael is full of confidence and looking for a great result at the Rip Curl GromSearch presented by SNICKERS Coffs Harbour.

“There’s a lot of tough competition in this event,” he said. “But in saying that I’m feeling pretty good and I’ve got some good boards at the moment so hopefully I can get a good result.” September was a momentous month for Carmichael, who seemingly went from strength-to-strength over several events.

After finishing third at the first Rip Curl GromSearch event of the series at Jan Juc, winning the Skull Candy Cadet Cup, Carmichael has been on a tear. “I’ve made a few finals and picked up a lot of second’s and third places this year and I really want to continue that form in this series.”

“Coffs Harbour has so many good waves, they suit my surfing and I feel super comfortable competing there. Hopefully I can lock in a win or at least strengthen my spot in the top few of the ratings because the ratings winner at the end of the series wins a trip to Bell's for the National final.”

However, Carmichael will not have it is own way in the blue ribbon 16's division with fellow wonder-kid’s Ryan Callinan (Merewether, NSW) who finished second at Jan Juc, Thomas Woods (Coolangatta, QLD ) fresh from winning the Jan Juc event, and last years overall 14 years and under champion Jake Sylvester (Bar Beach, NSW) all breathing down his neck.

In the girls under 16 years division all eyes will be on anointed “next big thing” Ellie-Jean Coffey (Crescent Head, NSW) who last year won the overall Rip Curl GromSearch presented by SNICKERS title in both the 16 and 14 girls divisions.

Winning the under 14 years division in style at the first event Jan Juc, Coffey will no doubt be looking to amend her shock exit in the 16 years semi-finals with a big performance at Coffs Harbour. 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.

Winners of the 16’s division of the Rip Curl GromSearch ratings will receive a guaranteed place in the National Finals at Bells Beach, during the prestigious ASP World Tour event - the Rip Curl Pro. 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 progressive moves from Australia’s hottest young talents.

The Rip Curl GromSearch presented by SNICKERS Coffs Harbour event runs from 3 October – 6 October 2008. For more information be sure to log onto ripcurl.com The Rip Curl GromSearch series is proudly presented by SNICKERS in association with Waves Magazine, Fuel TV, and Surfing Australia.

2008/2009 RIP CURL GROMSEARCH SERIES 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
NSW Cronulla Jan 17-20, 2009

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

www.ripcurl.com

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Surfing NSW Media Manager
Michael Tyrpenou
michaelt@surfingnsw.com.au

Rip Curl Public Relations
Marine Cole
mcole@ripcurl.com.au

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