Groms dazzle at national surf event

THE Surf Coast and Bellarine’s best shortboard surfers put it all on the line over the weekend to gain vital national ranking points in the Rip Curl GromSearch at Phillip Island.

Close to ten surfers represented the region with pride including Dune Pruvot, Anise Pruvot, Jack Lindsay, Dom Kellett, Jarvis Barrow, Charlie Chisholm and current state U/18 champion and runner up Max Bassett and Jerry Kelly.

The GromSearch was one of five marquee junior surfing competitions to be held across Australia as part of a new national junior series.

Surfers had the chance to gain valuable ranking points in their quest for a spot on the Irukandjis team heading to the ISA World Junior Surfing Titles.

The premier U/18 divisions were won by Ruby Berry (Margaret River, WA) and Mitchell Peterson (Noosaville, QLD).

Peterson stayed busy throughout the final, catching multiple rides and putting his surfboard on rail to secure some strong scores.

Meanwhile fellow finalist Samuel Lowe (Thirroul, NSW) waited patiently to make his move.

Lowe fired a 5.10 ride midway through the final, however Peterson put the nail in the coffin with an impressive tail slide to score 6.93.

“I was actually getting really nervous at the end because I couldn’t see what Sammy was doing on the left.

“Eventually I made my way over and it was stressful because I just didn’t know what he had done on those lefts.

“The last two finals I’ve been in I have been buzzer-beatered right on the beach and it’s been pretty heartbreaking, so I was pretty stoked to get the win this time!”

The Under 18 Girls began with Ruby Berry choosing the left-hand bank and former Jan Juc local Isla Huppatz (Bilinga, QLD) opting for the right.

Berry picked up two quick scores in the middle range, while Huppatz struggled to land a score as she moved to the inside surf bank.

With time running low, Berry made a priority error and gave Huppatz a crack at taking the win, however the latter was unable to capitalise.

“The waves were super challenging and Isla rips so definitely either of us could have won so I’m stoked to win,” Berry said.

“There was a minute to go and I had priority and I lost it and I was kinda stressing but there were lots of sets coming through so I was hoping I could get a wave as well as her.

“I ended up getting a wave but it was definitely a stressful 30 seconds.”

Other divisional winners included Max McGillivray (Under 16 Boys, Evans Heads, NSW), Lani Cairncross (Under 16 Girls, Kiama Downs, NSW), Locana Cullen (Under 14 Boys, Avalon Beach, NSW) and Mali Adams (Under 14 Girls, Crescent Heads, NSW).

The Rip Curl GromSearch National Final at URBNSURF Sydney will be held on October 21.

For results, head to liveheats.com/surfingvictoria