Currumundi, QLD: WHILE the unstable surf conditions continued on the Sunshine Coast today, Queensland’s next generation of surf stars did their best to impress in the wild seas.
More than 70 grommets from across the southeast region battled it for silverware on finals day at the Wahu Surfer Grom Comp, which was held at Anne Street Currumundi for the second day in a row.
In testing 1.5-metre beach breaks, the day’s finalists rode the waves to success, running riot with an energetic attack of grommet-style surfing.
The Sunshine Coast region dominated the overall medal count, winning five of the seven divisions contested.
Emerging sensation Izak Clifford (Marcus Beach) proved he’s a star of the future, trumping Jake Vincent (Coolum), Luke Hynd (GC) and Will Morrison (Currumbin) to win the blue ribbon U/15 boys’ division.
Clifford, 13, was a standout in the tricky, but contestable shore break thumpers, dominating the final to finish in front of Vincent by 5-points.
In a high-scoring final, Clifford made the most of an early wave score (7.60) to dominate proceedings.
Despite a late charge by Vincent and Hynd, Clifford held on for his maiden junior victory.
Post final, Clifford said he was stoked to win.
“I’ve had a lot of minor placing in junior events, so I’m glad to take my first win,” he said.
The stylish natural foot finishing on a two-wave combined total of 15.27 (out of a possible 20) to Vincent’s 10.27, with Hynd and Morrison finishing in third and fourth respectively.
The surfing action continued to soar in the U/13 boy’s division with Wurtulla’s Kai Hing shredding Anne Street to pieces to snatch victory from Jake Morrsion (Currumbin), Ryan Froeman (SC) and Charly Termeau (France).
In the U/15 girls, Maroochydore’s Charlie Roach surfed away with the winner’s trophy, unleashing a smooth assault of forehand manoeuvres to defeat Naomi McCarthy (Palm Beach), Renee Heazlewood (Moffat Beach), Sophie Starrett (Maroochydore) and Sarah Gibson (SC).
Moffat Beach gidget Laura Poncini continued her good form, beating Lucy Callister (Noosaville), Laura Eden (SC), Saige Endersby (Peregian Beach) and Alyssa Lock (Tweed Heads) en route to bagging the U/13 girl’s crown.
Sunshine Coast lad Reef Heazlewood (Moffat Beach) put his local knowledge to good use, stitching up Dextar Muskens (Coolangatta), Sandon Whittaker (SC) and Connor Lyons (SC) to bag the U/11 boys’ title, while Alyssa Lock (Tweed Heads) was triumphant in the corresponding girl’s division.
In the clash of the super-grams, Jordan Johnston (Kirra) dusted 3-year-old Jett Morrison (Currumbin) to be crowned king of the kids in the parent-assisted U/9 boys and girls’ division.
The fun and games continued in the U/10 Bodyboard Expression Session with a 20-strong field of youngsters swapping their regular surfboards for bodyboards.
Divisions included: Under 15 boys, Under 15 Girls, Under 13 Boys, Under 13 Girls, Under 11 Boys, Under 11 Girls and Under 9 Boys and Girls (parent assist).
