Torquay, Victoria (Saturday 14th October, 2023): Day 1 of the 2023 Woolworths Surfer Groms Comp saw rising stars shine bright at Torquay Point with the Under 12’s and Under 14’s divisions putting on some great performances.
With 2-3 foot peeling waves wrapping their way into Torquay Point the groms made the most of the right and left hand runners on offer. Great conditions saw the crowd and competitors full of stoke as the event got underway with the Under 14 Boys.
After the opening rounds were complete Jet Bradley (Ulladulla, NSW) emerged as an outstanding performer. Showcasing a strong backhand attack he left spectators in awe as he made his way through to the quarterfinals.
Going into the quarterfinals Teddy Robertson (Torquay, VIC) and Arch Rayner (Inverloch, VIC) put on a show for the crowd by exhibiting progressive manoeuvers on all their waves. Throughout the heat both took on different approaches, with Rayner gunning for the lefts and Robertson chasing the rights. After locking in an early 7.33 point ride Rayner took the lead over Robertson, who scored a close 7.07 point ride.
At the halfway point of the heat the two surfers took off on the same wave and split the peak. Rayner put together multiple backhand swoops on the left while Robertson went all out on a huge right hand end section. This time Robertson took the better of the exchange. However, Rayner stayed in the lead with a higher combined heat total of 14.96 points and Robertson progressed through in second with a 14.84 combined heat total.
“I just tried to catch a lot of waves and then come out with some good scores,” said Rayner.
“After Teddy got a couple of sevens I pushed a bit harder on my waves too,” he continued.
In the Under 12 Girls division, Estella Carbonelli (Jan Juc, VIC) used her local knowledge to display an amazing range of surfing. Carbonelli’s maneuvers on her waves were nothing short of exceptional, catching the eye of both the judges and fellow competitors. Her seamless transitions between powerful turns and stylish cutbacks saw her blitz the opening rounds.
She continued her amazing performance in the semifinal where she secured her spot in the finals after a close exchange with fellow competitor Stevie O’Day (Torquay, VIC). Using a fast flowing approach Carbonelli scored a combined heat total of 11.94 points with O’Day following close behind on a 10.27 combined point total.
“It was really fun surfing with all the other girls,” Carbonelli exclaimed.
“I was aiming to catch the ones that had broken already and just surf the wave and try to do some turns on the inside,” she added.
“It feels really good and I can’t wait for tomorrow!”
Regarded as one of the major stepping stones in the development of young Australian surfers, the 10-event Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps series caters for surfers from Under 8 to Under 14 and will be held in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and South Australia over summer.
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, three-day Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps National Final Surf Camp, (1-day coaching clinic, two days of competition and heat analysis coaching) at the Surfing Australia High-Performance Centre (HPC). For the South Australian, Victorian and Tasmanian events, the Woolworths Surf Camp prize will be awarded to the highest place Under-14 Boy and Girl who reside in that respective state.
The call for Day 2 of the event is scheduled to begin at 7:30 am on Sunday 14th of October, at Torquay Surf Beach (SLSC).
The live Scores and Schedule from the day can be accessed via www.surfingvic.com/live
Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps 2023 Schedule:
EVENT 1 – Kiama, NSW – Sept 2 – 3, 2023
EVENT 2 – Coffs Harbour, NSW – Sept 9 – 10, 2023
EVENT 3 – Fleurieu Peninsula, SA – Sept 30, 2023
EVENT 4 – Gold Coast, QLD – Oct 7 – 8, 2023
EVENT 5 – Torquay, VIC – Oct 14 – 15, 2023
EVENT 6 – Clifton Beach, TAS – Oct 28, 2023
EVENT 7 – Northern Beaches, NSW – Nov 4 – 5, 2023
EVENT 8 – Trigg, WA – Nov 18 – 19, 2023
EVENT 9 – Cronulla, NSW – Dec 2 – 3, 2023
EVENT 10 – Sunshine Coast, QLD – Dec 9 – 10, 2023
National Final – Surfing Australia HPC, Casuarina, NSW – Dec 16 – 18, 2023
The Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps Series is proudly supported by Le Tan, Ruffie Rustic Foods, Wax Fresh and Surfing Australia.
Participation
Events
My Profile
Login to your profile or Sign up to our new Surfing Portal
Memberships
Head to your Surfing Portal to purchase or renew memberships
Events & Courses
Head to your Surfing Portal to enter events and courses
