Rip Curl GromSearch

Rest Bay Porthcawl South Wales
4 April 2009

Rip Curl GromSearch European series kicks off in Wales

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 8 April, 2009 : - - The first leg of the Rip Curl GromSearch European surf series kicked-off in Rest Bay, Porthcawl, Wales for the 6th consecutive year on a bright & sunny but rather breezy day last on Saturday 4th April.

2 – 3ft decent swell coming off the Channel was made more challenging for the young competitors by the stiff on-shore breeze. However, the competitors braved through a full 9hrs of good competitive surfing to get to the finals and a chance to compete in the Regional Finals and then the final goal of the Rip Curl Pro Junior at the European Finals in Hossegor, South west France in August.

A solid entry of nearly 50 kids across all categories, ensured that the competition was a success and as always a good cross section of ages and abilities – The youngest competitor was a local boy Tom Horn from Porthcawl aged 6 and a 9 year old girl, Elis Richards from Mumbles, Swansea.

There was a really good contingent of surfers from over the bridge to provide quality competition for the young Welsh hopefuls.

There was even a couple of perfect 10’s awarded by the normally unforgiving judges to a young surfer Will Bailey from Woolacombe, who tore one of the heats to shreads; still only 11years old, Will is certainly one to look out for in the future. The competition was fierce throughout the day with the English competitors leading the way in all categories.

As the competition came to a close in the early evening, the stiff breeze dropped away to allow the prizes to be presented by Rip Curl’s team and events Manager James Hendy, with a backdrop of pumping waves waiting to be attacked by the ever eager Grom’s long into the evening.

The highest placed Under 16 Welsh Boy was David Williams from Swansea and the Under 16 Welsh Girl was Mali James also from Swansea winning an all expenses paid trip to the UK finals held at Godrevey in Cornwall on the 20th & 21st June where they will surf against the best from England and Ireland.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank James Hendy of Rip Curl for staging the event in Porthcawl again this year, especially in these difficult economic times. By holding this event it shows support for the continued growth and development of young surfers in Wales and the UK and gives
Young surfers the opportunity to positively develop their surfing at all ages
and levels.

I would also like to thank the Welsh Surfing Federation and the Welsh Coast Surf Club for all their assistance in running the contest and the Rest Bay Lifeguards for their continued support. Most of all I would like to thank all the parents for supporting their children and bringing them to the event – without them there wouldn’t be an event.
I look forward to seeing you all next year when we hope the event will be even bigger and better!

The next events in the UK GromSearch series will be
· 9th & 10th May - Strandhill, Co Sligo, Ireland
· 19th 20th June – Godrevey, Hayle, Cornwall,

Results as follows

U16 Boys    
1st  Zac Lawton
2nd Sam Harewood
3rd Dave Williams ( REGIONAL WINNER )
4th Patrick Danial

U16 Girls
1st  Lucy Campbell
2nd Laura Crane
3rd Harriet Knight
4th Mali James (REGIONAL WINNER)

U14 Boys
1st  Sam Harewood
2nd Patrick Danial
3rd Alex Gibson
4th Liam Murray Strout

U14 Girls
1st  Laura Crane
2nd Lucy Campbell
3rd Flora Lawton
4th Peony Knight

U12 Boys
1st  Alex Gibson
2nd Will Bailey
3rd Liam Murray Strout
4th Max Payne

U12 Girls
1st  Peony Knight
2nd Flora Lawton
3rd Millie Lawton
4th Elis Richards

www.ripcurl.com

 

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James Hendy

Groms - Surfersvillage