Future star wins back-to-back titles at Oz Grom Open

A STAR of the future is making a name for herself on the big stage with Broken Head surfer Leihani Zoric winning the under-14 girls division at the Soundboks Oz Grom Open for a third straight year.

The 12-year-old was dominant in the final at Lennox Head, posting a 15.83 (out of a possible 20) while her opponent Zara Owen was forced to settle for an 8.17 in tricky conditions.

It follows on from her Occy Grom win on the Gold Coast last week.

“The waves weren’t too good in the final, but I got there in the end,” Leihani said.

“I used to go to primary school here and my parents work at Lennox Head, so I know the surf well.”

Leihani paid tribute to her indigenous culture when she raised the aboriginal flag while being chaired up the beach after her victory.

Leihani Zoric surfed in the Pro Junior for the first time this year. Photo: SUPPLIED

This week, she was able to compete in her first Pro Junior event which featured the best surfers in the under-21 division from around the country.

“It was really good, I just wanted to make it through one heat, but I got through to the quarterfinals,” she said.

“I’m really proud of that because it was my first pro junior event and I got a wildcard just to go in it.

“Hopefully next year I can get back in there and go again.”

Leihani has no shortage of support with former world champion Chelsea Hedges one of her coaches.

She has also been mentored by Chris Moore who is the father of five-time women’s world champion Carissa Moore.

“I’ve stayed with them (in Hawaii) and they’ve shown me around over there, she’s the best,” Leihani said.

The finalists from the Pro Junior division which was won by Ziggy McKenzie and Landen Smales. Photo: SUPPLIED

“I want to do a few more surf trips and spend time in locations to work on things I need to improve.”

In other divisions, champions from under-14s through to the Pro Junior were crowned on finals day.

Morrison Massey (under-14 boys), Lucy Darragh (under-16 girls), Locana Cullen (under-16 boys), Meika Locke (under-18 girls) and Caden Francis (under-18 boys) were the winners.

Locana scored a perfect 10-wave ride in the final and the highest heat score of the week with an 18.67.

The Pro Junior champions were Ziggy McKenzie in the girls and Landen Smales in the boys.

The Oz Grom Open was hosted by the Lennox-Ballina Boardriders club with Soundboks coming on as the new naming rights sponsor this year.