Local young surfers dominate at comp

BARWON Heads surfers Zeph Lamperd and Ellie Harrison dominated in the small tricky conditions at the weekend to claim the Ocean Grove stop of the Woolworths Surf Groms Comp.

Lamperd, who won the Under 14 Boys title, was dominant in the final throwing down massive power turns on his way to a 14.86 heat total.

“It’s awesome to win here at Ocean Grove,” Lamperd said.

“All that time surfing here when it has been windy has paid off.”

Harrison used her superior wave knowledge at the break to take out top honours in the Under 14 Girls, locking in a heat total of 11.40 points.

“Every time I have got second at this event, so it’s nice to finally win,” Harrison said.

“The waves weren’t very good, but it was a fun event.”

Lamperd and Harrison will now receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Surfing Australia High Performance Centre for their efforts.

“I have never been to the HPC before, but I have heard its epic,” Lamperd said.

“I am looking forward to surfing in some warm water and learning from the coaches up there.”

Placing in second in the Under 14 Boys final was Willis Droomer from Jan Juc, who finished on 12.14 points. Willis also won the Under 12 division, impressing judges with his aerial game.

Asher Lens from Aireys Inlet and Charlie Mahoney from Ocean Grove finished in third and fourth respectively.

For the girls, Jazz Wylie from Jan Juc placed in second on 10.40 points.

Mia Huppatz, also from Jan Juc, and Elise Franzose from Point Lonsdale finished in third and fourth.

Regarded as one of the major stepping stones in the development of young Australian surfers, the 10-event Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps presented by Wahu caters for surfers from Under 8 to Under 14 and will be held in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia over summer.

Full results from the event can found online at surfingvic.com.