Potential winners starting to emerge on Day 2 of Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island presented by Bass Coast Shire

PHILLIP ISLAND, VICTORIA: Day 2 of the Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island presented by Bass Coast Shire has wrapped with potential winners emerging early.

Once again, the surfing hotspot produced amazing conditions all day with waves breaking in the 3ft range and an ‘all-day’ offshore breeze. Competitors made the most of the conditions, with many showcasing a surfing ability well beyond their years, posting massive heat totals.

Lachlan Arghyros (Casuarina, NSW) delivered a nail-biting performance in the under-18 boys, posting a heat-winning 7.83 in the dying minutes to take the win.

“At that point in the heat I hadn’t had a wave, but I ended up finding a steep little pocket further to the right, so it hugged the bank better,” said Lachlan Arghyros (NSW) on his crucial 7.83 score. “Phillip Island is probably one of my favourite places to come, good waves and cold weather, which is not a bad change from back home.”

Victoria’s Lillian Bassed used her local knowledge to squeeze through the girls under-18, to earn a place in round 2. With a pair of 5-point rides, she was able to keep the goal alive of taking out the comp, even amongst the tough competition.

“It’s definitely great surfing with the girls from the other states because they’re all very good and it makes me surf my best; I can’t surf safe,” said Lillian Bassed (Sandy Point, VIC). “It’s been a great time on the island. The banks have all been really good, and the weather’s been pretty good for the most part, too.”

The highlight of the day might have gone to the local boy Angus Kennedy (Phillip Island, VIC) getting the win in his round 2 heat and earning a spot in the quarter-finals.

“It was really fun out there, the waves kind of turned on and it’s been pumping the last two days,” said local surfer Angus Kennedy (Phillip Island, VIC) after scoring two 7-point rides. “It’s so good having such a high level of surfing on the waves I surf every day; it’s pretty inspiring to watch.”

The back end of the waiting period starts to become a bit more challenging with a wind change and storm rolling through. Event organisers plan to get through as many heats as possible while the conditions are favourable, then pick the eyes out of the remaining days to eventually crown division champions.

DAY 2 HIGHLIGHTS

Under 18 Boys – Round 1

Jesse Ferguson – 9.50

Henry Dowling – 12.00

Balin Cullen – 12.60

Tarvi Woods– 9.10

Oscar Jackson – 10.27

Lachlan Arghyros – 10.66

Under 18 Girls – Round 1

Olive Hardy – 12.93

Lani Cairncross– 14.83

Poppy O’Reily – 9.00

Under 16 Boys – Round 2

Loci Cullen – 18.53

Archie Ferguson – 13.40

Angus Kennedy – 11.83

Under 18 Boys – Round 2

Jesse Ferguson – 13.10

Henry Dowling – 16.33

Lachlan Arghyros – 14.07

EVENT INFORMATION & LIVE SCORES

Live Heats Stream: https://liveheats.com/events/563918/watch

Live Heats Scores & Schedule: https://liveheats.com/events/563918

Event Updates & Social Media: Follow @surfingvictoria on Instagram

The event is supported by Rip Curl, Bass Coast Shire, Victorian Government Significant Sporting Events Program, Surfing Australia, Surfing Victoria, Bass Coast Shire, Fatboy Bikes, Ritual Vision, Victorian Government, Live Heats, Phillip Island, P.I.B.C, Beyond Coconut Water, Surfing Australia, Skin Health Australia and Park Lane Holiday Parks.