The Quiksilver King of the Groms UK series kicked off at Rest Bay, Porthcawl, Wales attracting a top class field. The event climaxed at high tide with the finals conditions perfect for competitors and spectators alike as the wedgy peaks offered plenty of sections for the Groms to let loose, all within a stones throw from the enraptured crowd.
Josh Hughes was in a class of his own to be crowned Under 16 champion. The powerful goofy footer went off like a rocket in the final, putting in a highly determined and explosive display.
Hughes who currently resides in Newquay, Cornwall, has always been true to his Welsh roots and looked a Grom on a mission as he set about destroying a series of lefts with some trade mark gouges and slides. The title never looked in doubt and he deservedly took the win.
In the Under 16 Girls Final, Welsh Sensation Gwen Spurlock showed why she is one of Britain’s brightest prospects with a faultless performance. Gwen who’s recently returned from the World Grommet championships was in devastating form.
The natural footer hooked into a long left within the opening few minutes, releasing a series of backside smacks to the beach scoring an 8.5 which was quickly backed up by a stylishly ridden right, blowing the rest of the competition out of the water.
Max Tuckers home advantage showed in the Under 14 boys as he used his local knowledge to good affect to take out the Under 14 title. The final was closely fought until the dying moments, as Max patiently waited for the longer yet less consistent lefts, scampered into a sucky one and duly went about smacking a series of front side floaters and reo’s to the delight of friends and family on the beach.
All the finalists were awarded with Quiksilver goodies and the winners fittingly crowned King of The Groms by none other than Quiksilver’s Spencer Hargraves who himself was a grommet champion on the very same beach.
The event was a huge success and thanks must be passed onto the Welsh Surfing Federations Officials, Welsh Coast Surf Club, Porthcawl Lifeguards, Bob Blyth, Spencer Hargraves and of course Quiksilver.
RESULTS
Under 14
Max Tucker 1st
Josh Mammett 2nd
Conor Griffiths 3rd
Will Pountney 4th
Under 16
Josh Hughes 1st
Gwen Spurlock 2nd
Adam Reimitz 3rd
Max Tucker 4th
Girls
Gwen Spurlock 1st
Tassy Swallow 2nd
Patsy Pountney 3rd
Annie Bielous 4th
Connie Pountney 5th
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