Surfing Australia News Spring 2015 | Page 57

A ustralia’s growing army of grommets have been lighting country’s beaches this summer Wahu Surfer Groms Comps, after event in Sydney back in September. frothing up the for the the first The series is one of the major stepping stones in the development of young Australian surfers. The 10-event program caters for micro groms from Under 8 through to Under 14 with events in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania. The Under 8 is a mixed division with parent assists, while competition is held in both boys and girls in the Under 10 (optional parent assist), Under 12 and Under 14 divisions. Previous champions include former World Junior Champion and current World Surf League competitor Matt Banting, and former World Under 16 Champion Jacob Willcox plus a growing list of Australia’s most promising surfers including Luke Hynd, Eli Steele, Kai Hing, Chris Zaffis, Quinn Bruce, Isabella Nichols, Holly Wawn and Laura Poncini. "The Wahu Surfer Groms Comps is an incredibly important program as part of the Surfing Australia sport development pathway," said Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark. "The program is now in its seventh year as a truly national junior surfing program and offers kids Australia wide the opportunity to compete in p rofessionally run competitions with a fun inclusive environment. As an added bonus, the respective winners of the Under 14 boys’ and girls’ divisions from each event will receive an invite to attend an all-expenses paid, threeday Wahu Surf Camp at the Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre. "The Wahu program goes from strength to strength every year and we are very appreciative of the amazing support over many years from the name rights partner Wahu. Their commitment and belief in the program is genuinely appreciated by Surfing Australia and our state branches and all the kids and parents involved." “Wahu is once again proud to be associated with Surfing Australia and the Wahu Surfer Groms Comps and the opportunity for fun and development this program brings to children across the county," said Wahu Managing Director Tim Britz. Each entrant will also receive a Wahu Surfer Groms Comps t-shirt for entering, plus a Wahu beach product and there will be plenty of beach games and giveaways at each event. Success at the Wahu Surfer Groms Comps has launched the careers of many of Australia’s top surfers. Wahu are also a proud sponsor of the Weet-Bix SurfGroms national junior participation program. Surfing Austr alia .COM CEO Andrew Stark with Ka therine and Tim Britz (Wahu Managing Di rector). SPRING 2015 ISSUE 13 | 55