Rip Curl GromSearch
Presented by Snickers

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

Rip Curl GromSearch kicks off in fine style at Coffs Harbour

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 3 October, 2008 : - - Macaulay’s Beach, NSW -- It was a non-stop surfing showdown on day one of the Rip Curl GromSearch presented by SNICKERS, as the brightest junior talents in the land battled it out in Coffs Harbour.

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 – and with the best under 16 years competitors in the water on day one, the action was mind-blowing.

As temperatures soared and the heat sweltered, Harrison Mann (Torquay, VIC) was in scintillating form – attacking the one-metre beach break with flair and fervour. “I was really happy with how I went this morning,” he said after his early morning heat. “I haven’t surfed Coffs Harbour before, but I’m feeling pretty confident at the moment,” Mann added. And with just cause.

Coming off a win at the series’ first event at Jan Juc, in the under 14 years division, Mann surfed like a man possessed en-route to racking up the highest single wave score of the day with a 8.17 (out of a possible 10). “It was a good win for me in Jan Juc,” Mann added. “Now I’m focussing on backing that up with some good results throughout the entire Series.”

Surfing in both the 14 years and under and 16 years and under division’s, Mann is looking forward to battling against the big-boys throughout the entire Rip GromSearch Series presented by SNICKERS. “My aim is to make the top four in the 14’s (years and under division), but I’ll be competing in the 16’s also (years and under division).”

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.

Also in great form on day one were Soli Bailey (Suffolk Park, NSW), Jack Scollard (Lake Munmorah, NSW), Chris Robertson (Cronulla, NSW) and Hamish Whillans (Burleigh Waters, QLD) – who all joined Mann in the next round of competition. With the 14 and 12 years and under Boys and Girls divisions to get underway tomorrow, the action shows no signs of slowing down in Coffs Harbour.

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 and surfingaustralia.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
www.surfingaustralia.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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