Keil Bigeni : photo SurfingAustyralia.com
Rip Curl GromSearch
presented by Nintendo
Bar Beach Newcastle, NSW
7-10 October 2004
Australia’s top youngsters decide finals in solid 5ft waves!
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 10 October 2004: - - A fantastic day for national junior surfing with all finals of the Rip Curl GromSearch decided in great waves at Bar Beach in Newcastle today.
With the solid swell today organizers held some concerns for the capabilities of some of the younger 12 and under divisions to cope with the waves but their doubts were answered quickly with some incredible performances!
Six division finals were decided, 16,14 and 12 and under boys and girls and the action was non stop all day and performance levels rose as theses talented youngsters searched for a win.
Port Macquarie surfer Kiel Bigeni certainly handled the finals pressure today, scoring excellent 9 and 8 point rides throughout his semi final and final to take a well deserved win. In a quality final which included outstanding local Newcastle surfer Mitch Noonan (Fingal Bay) and Sunshine Coasts Shaun Stevic, Begini showed that he was right up there in style and power to take the win – His power driven bottom turn through to top turns were sending large fans of spray which impressed all on the beach.
Stevic may have been a little unlucky – All week he was the standout surfer and consistently scored high 9 point rides which carried on through to today’s semi finals which he also won easily, but luck deserted him in today’s final and he was unable to find the right waves to challenge Bigeni.
Newcastle surfer Mitch Noonan (Fingal Bay) finished a great 2nd in the 16’s final and must be wondering when he’ll win one of these events following a second place two weeks ago in the Victorian leg of the series. His performances throughout the event indicate he’s a surfer with a big future and a win can’t be far off.
In the 16 and under Girls final, the standards remained high and the girls charged the powerful waves with Boomerang Beach surfer Jessica Hickson posting a well deserved win just ahead of Cronulla’s Eliza Roberts.
The 14 and under division saw Newcastle local surfer Duncan McNicol claim a win for the locals. McNicol (Caves Beach) posted an excellent 8 point ride in his final to secure the win – He also made the final in the 16 and under division which was quite an achievement given the standard.
In the closest final of the day , young Kirby Wright made it a family double by just edging out Ella Courtney from Noosa. Wright took the win on her final wave wich she picked up in the final 10 seconds!
The 12 and under division is always exciting and entertaining to watch and even more so today as these youngsters battled big seas and were rewarded with genuine high scoring performances.
Sth Coast ‘s (Kulburra) Tyla Wright took out the Girls 12 division and at just 10 years of age is certain to be looking at many more wins while Old Barr (Taree) surfer Oscar Scanes was a strong winner in the boys.
Special award winners – Some exceptional performances throughout the event – The Nintendo highest wave score of the event, boys and girls, saw young Kulbarra beach (southern NSW surfer) Tyler Wright win the Nintendo Game Cube . Tyler tied with her sister Kirby, both having excellent 9.5 rides but on a count back Tyler took the award with a second high score of 9.33. In the boys, Sunshine Coast surfer Shaun Stevic’s second day wave score of a perfect 10 was never matched and he took the Nintendo Game Cube. Telstra Power move of the event for the most impressive maneuver, winning each surfer a Telstra $100 Pre-Paid Plus card went to Bijou Busse (Broulee) in the girls and Halliday’s Point surfer Peter Young for some powerful moves on the final day.
Rip Curl GromSearch is proudly presented by Nintendo, with associate partners Telstra and Waves magazine.
www.ripcurl.com/events/gromsearch
Sunshine Coast Invader dominating 16 and under division!
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 09 October 2004: - - A strong new 6ft plus swell saw the Rip Curl GromSearch go mobile today, hunting through the Newcastle beaches for the best waves and relocating to Nobbby’s Beach. Protected from the southerly winds and providing some great 4 to 5ft waves Australia’s top young surfers again put on an exceptional show with plenty of beach goers enjoying not just the perfect spring weather but also the chance to see the great talents of all these young surfers!
Highlight of the day was the ongoing dominating performance from Sunshine Coast surfer Shaun Stevic – the 15 year old has been amoung the highest scorers each day and has already the only perfect 10 point ride which he posted to win his round 3 heat. He backed up that perfect 10 with an excellent 9 point ride to also claim the highest heat score so far (19 out of 20) . Later today Shaun continued his great form and easily won his quarter final and goes into tomorrow’s semi finals and finals as the favorite to win.
If Shaun can win this event, it leads on to some great opportunities as the 16 and under series goes into an international final which is decided at Bells Beach in a specialty event which will run during the 2005 World Championship event at Easter!
After his quarter final win today Stevic said “To get to surf around the World’s best at Bells next year would be awesome but there’s a way to go yet and the semi’s and finals are tough heats so I’ll just do my best!”
Other winners of the 16’s quarter finals were also impressive, none more so than nearby local surfer Mitch Noonan from Fingal Bay which is just north of Newcastle. Noonan posted a very strong 7.7 ride in his quarter final and on the back of his recent 2nd placing in the Victorian GromSearch, Mitch is certain to be well in contention in tomorrows finals.
The 14 and under division features a number of talented surfers, from far north coast through to south coast NSW who all appear to be surfing well enough to win. Blackhead (Mid North Coast ) surfer Peter Young appreciated todays long left peeling waves on offer at Nobby’s to win through to the quarters. Central Coast surfers were the most prominent, lead by Justin Cummings who caused a minor upset by winning his heat and defeating local standout Wes Bainbridge – Bainbridge has been on a winning run recently, winning all heats and finals of the 14 and under GromSearch in Victoria two weeks ago and at this event has been scoring big all the way, but today finished second to the smaller but committed Cummings who hails from the Norah Head area . By finishing second in the four man heat, Wes also advanced to the quarter finals and will no doubt be keen to get back on the winners list in his next heat.
After his heat win Cummings expressed his thoughts about the GromSearch events by saying – “It’s a lot of fun surfing against Australia’s best young surfers – we get to see how good other kids from other states our age are surfing and it pushes us – It’s a great format, I actually came third in my opening heat but the double chance system is great and I’m now right back in with a chance!”
Others to standout in the 14’s division included local Catherine Hill Bay surfer Duncan McNicol and Central Coast’s Sam Patterson, both goofy footers well suited to the fast peeling lefts at Nobby’s.
The GromSearch finals in all divisions will be held tomorrow, most likely in excellent waves at Nobby’s Beach again – All winning results, photo’s and press releases will be forwarded tomorrow afternoon and expect some outstanding performances as the best of Australia’s youngsters compete for a win in their divisions.
Sunshine Coast’s Shaun Stevic is the new leader for the Nintendo special award for the highest wave score of the event and he’s going to be nearly impossible to beat having posted the events only perfect 10 point ride! Young Tyler Wright with her 9.5 still leads for the Girls Nintendo award .The Telstra Power turn is now with Mitch Noonan .
www.ripcurl.com/events/gromsearch
South Coast Girls Ripping!
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 08 October 2004: - - South coast NSW surfer (Kulbarra) Tyler Wright showed that surfing is definitely well entrenched in the family by posting the day and the events highest scoring heat and wave scores when she easily won her opening round heat of the 12 and under Girls of the Rip Curl GromSearch which again took place on the punchy beachbreaks at Bar Beach in Newcastle.
Tyler is the younger sister of elite Australian Junior surfer Owen Wright who has won and placed in many National events but today, Owens younger sisters hold the focus, with not only Tyler’s great effort but also her older sister Kirby, surfing in the 14 and under division advancing with a strong second placing.
Tyler posted an incredible 18.83 out of a possible 20, with 2 excellent rides, a 9.5 and a 9.33.
Tyler, at just 10 years of age, was composed after her win and commented “Hopefully I can do better in the next round!” When further questioned about her scores, she commented “I’ve scored better before; last year at the Rip Curl GromSearch on the Gold Coast I scored a 10 point ride so I’ll try and do better in the next round. The waves were good fun, a lot like my home beach at Kulburra”
All round one divisions of the Girls were surfed today and across all ages the girls showed the large beach crowd that Australia’s next generation of female professional surfers are looking good to uphold the excellent standards set by our existing girls!
Boomerang Beach on the mid north coast were well represented with Jessica Hickson scoring a big win which included an excellent 8.33 ride in the 16 and under girls and in the following heat fellow Boomerang surfer Elkie Jones also posted a big win. Cronulla’s Eliza Roberts was also a strong opening round winner in the 16 and under division.
The 12 and under boys opened the day and they also attacked the peaky waves with all the enthusiasm you’d expect. Old Barr (Taree) surfer Oscar Scanes led the charge with a strong win and an excellent 8 point ride.
Central Coast NSW surfers were again prominent - Norah Head brothers Dylan Cummings and Justin Cummings posted strong wins, Justin particularly impressive with one of the day’s highest scoring heats – 15.5 and both advanced through to round 3.
Fortunately for all the young divisions today, no one was eliminated as those who finish 3rd and 4th in their round 1 heats go through to round 2 where they compete to try and join the round one 1st and 2nd placed surfers in round 3! – Great for participation and fun which is what the GromSearch is all about.
Later in the day the 16 and under boys round 3 hit the water and local Newcastle surfers showed their strength. Merewether’s Duncan McNicol survived an intense heat – On his opening ride Duncan was judged an interference against Central Coasts Max Tough and the penalty for an interference is a point deduction of 50% of your second scoring ride. Duncan remained calm, scored a very strong 7.33 on his next ride and backed it up with a good 4.5, which became 2.25 due to the interference and eventually won the heat!
Fellow Newcastle surfer Sam Lane finished second to also advance along with Wes Bainbridge who won through to round 4.
Local Surfer Wes Bainbridge maintained the lead for the Nintendo special award for the highest wave score of the event with his 8.77 in the boys and young Tyler Wright with her 9.5 takes the lead for the Girls Nintendo award .Central Coast surfer Eddie Toomey leads the Telstra Power Turn of the event on a wave he scored 8.67.
www.ripcurl.com/events/gromsearch
150 of australia's top grommets hit Newcastle!
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 07 October 2004: - - On a perfect beach morning at Bar Beach Newcastle, 150 of Australia’s best young surfers took to the clean 1m surf for day 1 of the Rip Curl GromSearch. The Rip Curl GromSearch is a National Series of events catering for young surfers, both girls and boys in aged divisions 16, 14 and 12 and under.
Such is the popularity of surfing amongst youngsters today that this series is becoming super popular and the Newcastle event entries filled very fast, attracting competitors from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland and right through coastal NSW, north and south coasts and even a New Zealand entrant as well!
Local youngster Wes Bainbridge (Merewether) continued his great form from the recent Victorian leg of the GromSearch to post big opening round wins in both the 16 and 14 and under divisions – Particularly in his 14 and under heat Wes demonstrated all his talents and power notching up a massive win and claiming the days highest heat score (16.44 out of a possible 20) which also included the days highest wave score, an excellent 8.77.
Wes won the 14 and under division in Victoria two weeks ago and on his local beaches is certain to be extremely hard to beat in the coming days.
In the 16 and under division, the local surfers are certain to be challenged hard by Sunshine Coast surfer Shaun Stevic who showed his talents with a high scoring heat win of 14.80 which included an excellent 8 point ride. Newcastle’s top hope in the 16 and under division is Fingal Bay’s Mitch Noonan who comfortably won his heat to advance to round 3.
The GromSearch runs a unique format which encourages participation from all competitors at this young age with surfers who finish 1st and 2nd in the opening four man heats progressing to round 3, while 3rd and 4th placed surfers get a second chance in round two to progress through and join today’s successful surfers in round 3.
Other winners to standout on day 1 included Central coast surfer Justin Cummings (13 years of age) and Coff’s Harbour surfer Jay Bainbridge, also 13, both easy winners of their 14 and under division heats.
So, expect to see plenty of action over the coming three days, with finals set for Sunday. Each day the event will be running from around 7:30 in the morning through to late afternoon.
The 12 and under boys kick off tomorrow morning and we’ll also see many of the girls hit the water for the first time.
The afternoon north east wind made conditions fairly difficult today; however the surf for the rest of this event is expected to be excellent with southerly winds and a strong new swell forecast which is certain to bring out the best in these talented and enthusiastic young surfers!
Local Surfer Wes Bainbridge leads the Nintendo special award for the highest wave score of the event with his 8.77 and Central Coast surfer Eddie Toomey leads the Telstra Power Turn of the event on a wave he scored 8.67. Both surfers will be chasing bigger and more powered moves in the coming days with the prospect of excellent surf.
Rip Curl GromSearch is proudly presented by Nintendo, with associate partners Telstra and Waves magazine.
More Australasian Surfing News available here
Check the latest Australasian Surf Reports and Forecasts
For more info on GromSearch Series please go to;
www.ripcurl.com/events/gromsearch
or contact
Mark Flanagan
mflanagan@ripcurl.com.au
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