TBC youth head north to take on top level opponents

A SWATHE of Torquay Boardriders Club’s best juniors has headed north to compete at two of Australia’s top nationally rated events – Occy’s Grom Comp at Duranbah on the Gold Coast, and the SkullCandy Oz Grom Open at Lennox Head.

The 2018 Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp presented by Flight Centre kicked off on Saturday July 7, running for six action packed days.

The prestigious event, which is now in its 15th year, is one of the most highly anticipated junior surfing events in the world.

TBC’s young angels dominated the opening rounds of the event, with Spencer Kay, Noah Clifford, Cooper Downes, Angus Hug, Indi White, Cody Major, Xavier Huxtable, Bella Wilson, Angela Ball, Ethan Huxtable, Malachi White, Jye Reid, Tanner Reid, Emily McGettigan, Mia Huppatz, Jazz Wylie, Willis Droomer, Lucas Hickson, Sarsha Pancic, Jess McGettigan and Isla Huppatz all in action.

Willis Droomer is continuing his run of form at the Australian level, with a dominant opening round win in the 12 & Under Boys division.

Droomer’s two wave total of 15.33 (out of a possible 20) was one of the highest of the early days of the event.

“It was really fun out there,” Droomer said.

“I really like having early morning heats when the conditions are clean and fun like that.”

Another dominant surfer through the early days of competition was Xavier Huxtable.

Xavier, a two-time Australian Champion and 2017 TBC Open Men’s champion has shown his experience in various conditions, with multiple heat wins.

The Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp concludes Thursday, before the action shifts south to Lennox head for the Skullcandy Oz grom Open, which features the addition of an 18 & Under Pro Junior Division.

While the defending Men’s Pro Junior champion Cody Robinson is too old for the event, TBC’s India Robinson enters the event as a high seed and will look to emulate her brother’s win.