Cronulla, NSW — The final instalment of the Rip Curl GromSearch Series presented by SNICKERS, was run and won today.
Having seen 140 of the best, 16 years and under, surfers in the country congregate at Cronulla over the past four days, today saw the crowning of four new Rip Curl GromSearch champions.
Heralding his sparkling rise to form was Cooper Chapman (North Narrabeen, NSW), who took out the 14 years and under division in style.
“I’m so stoked,” said the current 16 years and under Australian champion.
“I knew that it was going to be such a hard final to win,” he said after defeating Noa Deane (Coolangatta, QLD), Tyler Hutchinson (North Narrabeen, NSW) and Zac Scott (Maroubra, NSW).
With level of junior surfing being pushed beyond recognition, over the past few days, Chapman knew it would take something special to take the crown.
“I was really nervous having seen all the guys ripping throughout the contest – I knew that I had to get big scores to take it out,” Chapman admitted.
And that he did.
Racking up a massive 16.33 (out of a possible 20), which included a near-flawless 9.5 (out of a possible 10), Chapman was always going to be hard to beat.
In the 14 years and under girls division it was Nikki Van Dijk (Phillip Island, VIC) who continued to excellent run of form at Cronulla.
“I’m really happy to have finished the event off with a strong performance – to get the win is a bonus,” she said.
However, she did not have it all her own way.
Within the opening minute Fiona Casey (South West Rocks, NSW) put Van Dijk, Lauren McAleer (North Curl Curl, NSW) and Holly-Sue Coffey (Narrabeen, NSW), under the pump – racking up a perfect 10 just after the opening hooter.
“I knew I had to be on my game after that,” Van Dijk said.
“I tried not to think about it too much and just surf within myself.”
Having finished second in the premier division, 16 years and under, Van Dijk was unstoppable – winning her third Rip Curl GromSearch event for the Series.
“I like surfing against the older girls as it forces me to improve my surfing, she admitted.
“Coming to Sydney for the first time was awesome for me – it’s always good to know what’s going on in the other states.”
Michael Wright (Culburra, NSW) took out the 12 years and under division in one most scintillating 20-minute heats of the event.
Pitted against fellow prodigy Jack Germain (Port Macquarie, NSW), who racked up a perfect 10-point ride in the semi-final, Wright put on a show for the spectators accumulating 16.00 (out of a possible 20).
Ripping apart the one-metre conditions at the famed Sydney beach break, Wright, Germain, Luke Hynd (Newport, NSW) and Fraser Dovell (Avalon, NSW) provided a window into the future of Australian professional surfing.
Following in the footsteps of 16 years and under champion, and fellow Cronulla local, Cronulla girl Veronica Charles took out the 12 years and under division in front of a euphoric local crowd.
Defeating Holly Wawn (Newport, NSW), Holly-Sue Coffey (Narrabeen, NSW) and Cali McDonough (North Curl Curl, NSW), Charles was all smiles after being crowned state champion in the GromSearch Series presented by SNICKERS.
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