Rip Curl GromSearch
Presented by Snickers

Surfing Australia
Jan Juc Beach, Victoria
22 - 25 September 2009

Rip Curl GromSearch Series presented by SNICKERS  2009/2010  begins in great waves in Victoria.

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 22 September, 2009 : - - Australia’s best 16 year and under surfers revelled in the clean and superbly shaped 1 metre (3 feet) surf at Jan Juc Beach today as the prestigious Rip Curl GromSearch Series presented by SNICKERS  began its 2009/2010 season.

Enthusiastic young surfers from all over Australia are competing here, chasing a win or finals performance along with valuable ratings points in Australia’s only recognised national grommet series. While the waves were excellent, the water temperature of 14 degrees Celsius  along with brisk offshore chill wind factors  saw the interstate competitors struggling to adapt to the conditions.

Talented Sunshine Coast Queensland surfer Kai Hing (Wurtulla) was very impressive winning his 14 and under Boys opening heat but he explained the  difficulties coping after his heat win. 

“I’m finding the cold water really hard to deal with, it’s the coldest I’ve ever felt and ducking under waves I’m coming up with headaches, it’s nothing like my home breaks” said 12 year old Hing who is aiming to win the 12 Boys series for this season and also make the top four on the 14 Boys ratings for the season.

“It’s only my second surf since arriving yesterday so hopefully I’ll feel better each day by getting used to the water.” Others to impress in the 14 Boys round one were North Narrabeen NSW surfer Jordan Lawler, Central Coast Avoca Beach goofy foot surfer Jake Thompson and local Jan Juc surfer Tristan Forass.

Forass, just 13 years of age and still with another year to compete in the 14 Boys division highlighted the importance of the series after his impressive heat win saying, “ I’m really aiming to try and make the final here and then next year, when I’m at the top of my age in the 14 Boys I’ll hopefully compete on the whole series.

“At my home beach it’s important that I match it with Australia’s best in my age division, there’s some great surfers here and it’s good to watch them and really push my own surfing to match their performances” added Forass.

The premier 16 Boys division were fortunate to have their round one heats enter the water right on prime incoming mid morning tide and high scores were frequent with Gold Coast youngster Noa Deane capitalising on the clean waves by posting the highest wave score of the day with an outstanding 9.07 to easily win his heat.

“The waves are really fun, clean and well shaped” said Deane. “It’s cold but I don’t mind it as long as we have decent surf – My aim is to surf the whole GromSearch Series this year, qualify for the National and International finals if I can and who knows, maybe even win the series!” Deane’s ride was awarded the SNICKERS wave of the day award.

With conditions looking extremely windy tomorrow the Strapper Surf GROMSEARCH 'FRESH START'  has now been rescheduled to Thursday at 11am- The GROMSEARCH FRESH START  concept is to encourage any young surfers in the region, who haven't competed at this level before, to bring their gear to the event and have surf.

As the opening event to the seven event series for 2009/2010 all surfers here are hoping to get off to a great start and pick up valuable series ratings points. All winners of the 16's division get an invite to Bell's for the National Final and following on from last year the highest placed non event winner on the GromSearch Ratings will also get an invite.

Eventual ratings winners of the 14's divisions will get a two board quiver from one of Rip Curl's leading shapers. The ever popular SNICKERS EXPRESSION SESSIONS will be run every day & encourage any participants to have a go with prizes and awards for notable performances from all age groups.

Rip Curl GromSearch Series, Australia’s premier Grommet Surfing Series, is made possible thanks to the support of Rip Curl, SNICKERS, Strapper Surf,  Surfing Australia, Waves Surfing Magazine and Fuel TV.

Previous reports:
# 1 : Coming soon
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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Steve Robertson

Groms - Surfersvillage