Tonic - Autumn 2015 | Page 15

TONIC | NEWS WAHU SURFER GROMS COMP BEACH GAMES, BBQS AND HIGH-QUALITY SURFING SET THE STAGE FOR THE FINAL DAY OF THE WAHU SURFER GROMS COMPS AT THE SOUTHPORT SPIT. OVER 100 FROTHING GROMS FLOCKED TO THE NORTHERN GOLD COAST BEACH IN HOPE OF WINNING ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING NATIONAL JUNIOR SURFING SERIES EVENTS. Demonstrating skills well beyond their years was the Under 8 Mixed division. With double overhead sets rolling through for these young micro groms, spectators lined the wall at the Spit to grasp a taste of the heated micro grom action. Concluding the final it was Scott Arderne (Elanora, QLD) who emerged victorious over Joel Emery (Wooloweyah, NSW), Kodi Dellit (Coolum Beach, QLD) and Jordy Halford (Pottsville, NSW) respectively. In the business end of her Wahu Surfer Groms Comps campaign, Pacha Luque-Light (Tugun, QLD) had a stellar performance in the blue ribbon Under 14 Girls division. Luque-Lights performance proved too hard a task to match with Anna Toohey (Dicky’s Beach, QLD), Mahlia Carr (Lennox Head, NSW) and Shaye Leewendal (Currumbin, QLD) finishing respectively. Redeeming himself after a disappointing Sunshine Coast round was Jaggar Barthlolmew who failed to final in the December event. However, Bartholomew’s strategy was evident scoring one of his best waves in the opening minutes leaving his rivals behind. As winners of the Under 14 Boys and Girls division, both Pacha and Jaggar have scored themselves an all-expenses paid, threeday Wahu Surf Camp at the Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre. Local knowledge helped Josh Grange (Burleigh Heads, QLD) create the needed scores late in his final to secured victory in the Under 12 Boys division. Grange scored a late single wave score of 8.17 (out of possible 10 points) to clench victory and take home bragging rights for the Gold Coast event. “I found the Sunshine Coast Wahu event difficult as I had never had the chance to surf that wave before. However, I managed to finish with a second place,” said Grange “This Gold Coast event suited because I prefer left hand breaking waves which is what was available today. The Wahu Surfer Groms Comps is a really fun event with everyone here surfing really well,” Grange continued. Holly Williams WANT MORE? SURFINGQUEENSLAND.COM.AU AUTUMN ISSUE – 15