Nationally revered juniors program bears fruit

THROUGH its nationally revered junior development program, the Torquay Boardriders Club (TBC) strives to maintain a focus on fostering and encouraging the younger members of its Junior divisions.

Nurturing a healthy and fun surfing community coexists with a desire to ensure the future competitive success for TBC both as a team and individually. Under 18 competitor Xavier Huxtable has recently been announced as a finalist in the Victoria Young Achiever Awards.

This is a huge honour and we wish Huxtable all the best. Results will be announced on May 18.

We would also like to extend our congratulations to under 14 TBC member Willis Droomer who recently won the 12 and under boys division of the Billabong Oz Grom competition in Coffs Harbor.

In a field of tough competitors, Droomer once again provided the judges with an exciting performance in the final, winning with a solid heat score of 14.

Droomer was fortunate to be the recipient of some sage advice from former WCT surfer Shane Dorian, who was at the event with his son Jackson.

“I mentioned to Shane that I wanted to avoid getting hassled in the final and he said I just needed to get two good scores early,” Droomer said.

With a 6 and 8 in the first three minutes, Droomer left the other competitors to try and fight their way out of a combo situation, while he was able to enjoy the rest of the final.

Droomer continued his run of success this weekend taking out the under 14 boys division back at Jan Juc in the third junior aggregate competition for TBC this year.

In glorious autumn conditions with small fun waves, over 70 young surfers took to the ocean to give their all for TBC.

Numbers in the micro grom divisions are bursting at the seams with almost 30 competitors in the under 10 and under 8 age groups.

It was also fantastic to see the increase in numbers of our junior girls divisions, and we welcome more girls to come and join the fun at TBC!

Congratulations to all division winners – Tully Gordon (Under 8 mixed), Jack Lindsay (Under 10 mixed), Isla Huppatz (Under 12 girls), Remy Filer (Under 12 boys), Cielle Bouvier (Under 14 girls) and Willis Droomer (Under 14 boys)

The level of surfing from all the juniors is to be commended. Well done everyone – especially all the parents who contributed and helped out!

The next TBC senior agg, sponsored by DBM Homes, is scheduled for May 12, and the next junior agg May 19. Go hard or go home!