European #GROMSEARCH 2015 STOP7 Freshwater West, WALES.
07/15/2015

European #GROMSEARCH 2015 STOP7 Freshwater West, WALES.

Sunshine, waves and friendly locals welcomed Rip Curl and Surfing GB to the beautiful west Wales coast line, as the 2nd stop of the 2015 Rip Curl Grom Search rolled into Freshwater West on Saturday July 11th.

Part of a global search to find the best young surfers, the UK Grom Search started strongly in June with the Croyde stop and the surf pushed in to welcome us with 2-3ft conditions in Wales, perfect for the young gun hoping to book their place in the European finals.

The crowd of eager young surfers arrived to a relaxed contest set up as events got under way and the heats began with the turn of the tide. All surfers checked in sporting free contest t-shirts and smiles, and the happy friendly vibe continued through the day. Strong competitive surfing from all as surfers took full advantage of the abundance of waves available, but it was certainly a day for the importance of wave selection.

Quarter finals of the U16 boys saw a powerful fin waft from Bude’s Kit Innes which the judges awarded the Smith Optics move of the day and a huge goodie bag from the sponsors to.

Under 12’s girls was a simple affair with a limited entry Bonita Whitelock took 1st place. Also from the Global Boarders gang we saw Thomas Reeves take his first competitive win in the U12 boys.

With her powerful turns and smooth carving cutties Ellie Turner took the double, claiming the U14 and U16 titles. Whilst the ever consistent Seth Morris took the U14 boys title on home turf with strong competitive surfing on show once again.

The under 16 Boys final was as fast and furious as you’d expect but Welsh and ever smiling Patrick Langdon-Dark proved his skills and the judges rewarded him with the win.

Ellie Turner has now secured the first ticket to the European Rip Curl Grom Search finals to be held somewhere in Europe later this year. The stage is now set for the Watergate bay showdown in August to see which two boys and one more girl will join her.

The beach presentations saw the respective champions crowned in front of an enthusiastic crowd, and weighed down with prizes including Rip Curl GPS watches, spanking Smith Optics sunnies and a host of other treat.

Thanks to everyone who made it such an enjoyable and friendly event.

RESULTS

Under 16 boys
1st – Patrick Langdon-Dark
2nd – Leo Reeves
3rd – Kit Innes
4th – Cieran Hughes

Under 16 Girls
1st – Ellie Turner
2nd – Niamh Mathias
3rd – Bethan lewis
4th – Bonita Whitelock
5th – Ffion Hughes

U14 Boys
1st– Seth Morris
2nd – Leo Reeves
3rd – Noah Capps
4th – Jack Mathias

U14 Girls
1st – Ellie Turner
2nd – Bonita Whitelock
3rd – Ffion Hughes

U12 Boys
1st – Thomas Reeves
2nd – Bertie Norman
3rd – Ejay Cogger
4th – Eli Perrins
5th – Sol Williams

U12 Girls
1st – Bonita Whitelock