Rip Curl GromSearch
Presented by Snickers

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

Interference calls common today in the small, offshore surf

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 24 September, 2009 : - - With semi finals positions on the line, the stakes were raised at Jan Juc Beach on day three of the Rip Curl GromSearch as Australia’s top 16 year and under surfers raised the performance levels and competed fiercely with interference calls fairly common.

The 16 and under Boys utilised the offshore winds and clean small 0.5m surf throughout the morning. Local Torquay surfer Harrison Mann, surfing his first season in the 16 year division, made his intentions clear with a convincing quarter final heat win that saw him also post the mornings top scoring ride of a 7.5 out of 10.

At  15 years of age Mann still has another season left on Australia’s only Grommet Series but he’s focused on this year and very keen to take a win. “It’s important to try and win one of these events as all winners go into the national final next year and that’s my goal – With Jan Juc being my home beach I have an advantage out here and hopefully I can win this first event of the season.”

“Today’s quite small and I’m hoping tomorrow’s finals are little bigger” added Mann who defeated the very highly rated Enrique Aritu from Tahiti. Mann is the only local left in the final 8 surfers in the 16 Boy’s division which was dominated by the interstate surfers today.

Impressive performances from Soli Bailey (Byron Bay), Connor O’Leary (Cronulla), Tylah Hutchinson (Warriewood) and Marc Williams (Culburra/Sth Coast NSW) set the scene for a great finals day tomorrow. Byron Bay’s Soli Bailey is set for a busy day tomorrow as he’s also through to the semi finals in the 14’s division.

“I’ll give my best in both divisions and who knows, maybe I can win if my best is good enough – I’m keen to surf both divisions throughout this season on the GromSearch Series” said Bailey after his quarter final heat win today. “I love surfing this area, even though it’s cold water I really enjoy the waves around here and hopefully tomorrows finals are in great waves” added Bailey.

Phillip Island surfer Tom Cole also won through to the final 8 surfers today and he is the only other Victorian through in the 16 Boys. Late in the day Boys and Girls 14 division semi finalists were decided along with Girls 16 finalists while Girls 12 final was run. Tomorrow’s finals day is expected to see some super clean fun early waves at Jan Juc building throughout the day.

An early 7:30am start will see semi finals through to finals all completed by approximately 11am The Strapper Surf GROMSEARCH 'FRESH START’ was also run in ideal conditions today, offering an enjoyable unthreatening competitive experience for a number of young enthusiastic surfers.

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.

Today’s SNICKERS wave of the day went to local lad Harrison Mann for his explosive 7.5 winning ride in the quarter finals. 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 : Rip Curl GromSearch kicks off today at Jan Juc, Victoria
# 2 : Jan Juc Beach bipolar on Day 2 of Rip Curl GromSearch
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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Steve Robertson

Groms - Surfersvillage