Far North Coast surfers set for Oz Grom Open showdown at Lennox Head

FAR North Coast surfers will have the opportunity to compete against some of the best junior talent in the country when the Soundboks Oz Grom Open returns to Lennox Head.

It will be held from July 7-12 and has grown into one of Australia’s premier junior surfing showcases, running alongside the Traeger Grills QS Pro Junior and attracting emerging surfers from across Australia and overseas.

Competitors will battle it out in both the Junior Qualifying Series and elite pro junior divisions, with the event continuing to serve as a key pathway into the global junior surfing circuit.

Since its inception in 2012 by Le-Ba Boardriders, the event has steadily expanded while maintaining a strong focus on grassroots values and high-performance standards aimed at developing the next generation of surfers.

Local talent has featured prominently in past editions, including Broken Head surfer Leihani Kaloha Zoric, who has claimed the under-14 girls division title for three consecutive years.

Le-Ba Boardriders surfers Mikey McDonagh, Harry O’Brien, Keenan Crisp, Nixie Ryan and Max McGillivray have also recorded strong performances at the event.

O’Neill marketing director Rob Bain said the competition reflects the core experience of Australian surfing culture.

“The Grom Comp embraces so much of the Aussie surfer’s journey — the road trips, the friendships, and the chance to prove yourself in Australia’s biggest grom event,” he said.

“We’re stoked to be part of it.”

The event expanded in 2018 with the addition of a World Surf League-sanctioned boys and girls Pro Junior division, further strengthening its status as a key development pathway into elite competition.

Its judging system, designed by Australian Surfing professional head judge Pritamo Ahrendt, incorporates a repechage format that gives surfers a second chance to progress through the competition.

The influx of visitors is expected to provide a boost to local businesses in and around Lennox Head, while organisers continue to position the event as a high-level junior surfing competition with live webcast coverage and international exposure.