"Stay happy and you'll be perfectly fine" - Jack Norris

Wahu Surfer Grom Comps 19-20th December at Dee Why

Zack Lukas (Cudmirrah, NSW) will be one to look out for in the field of the Under 15s division. photo: PA/Surfing NSW

Calling all kids, calling all kids. Grab your boards and head out to the fifth event of the Wahu Surfer Grom Comps to be held on Sydney’s Northern Beach (NSW) this weekend.

There’s no turning back now with four of the seven Wahu Comps done and dusted. The powerhouse event moves from the Gold Coast to Sydney’s pristine Northern Beaches where the next breed of potential Mick Fanning’s and Stephanie Gilmore’s will take to the water.

The all-grommet event has already seen some excellent results so far, not only here in NSW but all around Australia.

A major focus for the event is the junior development aspect, promoting a fun competitive environment with the seriousness of competing in a surfing contest.

One sure starter taking part is Under 15 boys standout Zack Lukas (Cudmirrah, NSW) who says he thrives on competition whether he’s surfing at Newcastle (NSW), Surfers Paradise (QLD) or this coming weekend on Sydney’s Northern Beaches (NSW).

“I’ve surfed a few times at Dee Why and Curl Curl (both contest location options), but it doesn’t matter where I surf as I’m always up for new and different breaks to take on,” said Lukas, “At the moment all the boys are surfing really well, so I’ll be hoping for some good waves and just try to surf my best”

Featuring Under 9 and Under 11 divisions, the Wahu Surfer Groms Comp events cater for younger male and female ‘micro-grommet’ aged surfers who generally have to compete against older kids rather than kids their own age. The event features a fully professional event setup with computer scoring and commentary giving the competitors a taste of what their surfing heroes are used to on the ASP World Tour.

Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark says he’s excited about what the Wahu Grom Competitions have delivered so far.

“These prestigious junior events not only provide a perfect national junior surfing development program for our sport, but they maximise participation of budding ‘micro-grommet’ surfers from all over the country,” said Stark.

Besides the surfing, Lukas says that he loves turning up to the Wahu grom competitions with all that the event has to offer.

“I love mucking around with all the beach games that they (Wahu) provide for us. It’s so much fun and it’s such a good break from competition and watching heats.”

Divisions to be contested include Under 15 boys and girls, Under 13 boys and girls, Under 11 boys and girls, Under 9 parent assist mixed and Under 15 boys and girls Bodyboard divisions.

Apart from the surfing, there’ll be loads of other activities happening on the beach with plenty for competitors to do between heats with Wahu footys, flyers and balls bouncing and flying around left, right and centre. However the fun won’t stop there, with awesome prize packs awarded to respective divisional winners.

The event is mobile on the Northern Beaches with Curl Curl, Dee Why and Long Reef Beaches the event venue options. Competition is expected to get under way each day at 7:45am with the daily running schedule and contest location confirmed on the Surfing NSW Event Hotline (0458 247 212) after 6:45am each day of the event.

Limited entry places are still available across some divisions. To enter, contact the Surfing NSW Office on (02) 9349 7055.

The Wahu Surfer Groms Comp is proudly supported by Surfing Australia and Surfing NSW.

Wahu Surfer Groms Comps Schedule:

Event 1

November 14-15 2009

Newcastle, NSW

Event 2

November 21-22 2009

Ocean Grove, Victoria

Event 3

December 5 2009

Glenelg, South Australia

Event 4

December 12-13 2009

Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland

Event 5

December 19-20 2009

Northern Beaches, NSW

Event 6

January 12-13 2010

Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Event 7

January 23-24 2010

Trigg Point, Western Australia