South Australia will this weekend host the fifth event of the prestigious national Rip Curl GromSearch Series presented by Snickers. A top field of both local South Australian youngsters mixed in with an eager group of interstate “invaders” are set to compete across boy and girl divisions which include 16, 14 and 12 and under aged division surfers.
The best of the locals include, Victor Harbour surfer Alex Rix along with Pt Elliot’s Max Longhurst, both serious contenders in the 16 and under Boys while Kangaroo Island pair Anna Jenner and Gracie Byass are certain to be Sth Australia’s best chances in the 16 and under Girls division. A large number of interstate surfers will compete with competitors coming from Victoria, NSW and Qld.
With just three events remaining on this series, the select and much sought after available positions in the National Rip Curl GromSearch 16 and under Boy and Girl finals are becoming scarce with only the winners of each event on the series invited to Bells Beach next Autumn for the national final.
Including this weekend in South Australia there are just three opportunities to win through and take a place in the national final. From that national final, the winners will then be awarded the chance to compete in an international Rip Curl GromSearch final, taking on the very best 16 and under surfers in the world in front of huge crowds as part of a specialty event incorporated at the ASP World Championship Tour event at Bells Beach next Easter.
Last week in Perth we saw just how keen Australia’s best young surfers are to win their way into the final with Sunshine Coast Queensland surfer Chris Friend trekking right across the country to compete. He looked to have secured his win only to lose on an interference and for Friend, the opportunity has slipped and he’ll look to one of the three remaining events to qualify.
The local South Australian’s will be keen to defeat the interstate surfers and their chances should be strong, particularly in their home waters. Seaford is the likely location and all competitors will meet there Saturday morning. The event can travel further south if wave conditions are not suitable at Seaford.
Snickers ‘Wave of the Day’ will be awarded to the days outstanding ride along with WAVES Surfing Magazine subscriptions to the highest scoring male and female surfers on the day. The Carve Stix rising star of the event award will also be keenly chased with a Carve skateboard as the awesome prize on offer.
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