European ‪#‎GromSearch‬ STOP5 Croyde (Devon), UK

Ripcurl’s worldwide search for the best junior Surfers commenced for 2015 in the UK over the past weekend, with the Ripcurl Grom Search at Goldcoast Oceanfest.
In a weekend of varied conditions and moments of brilliance, the champions were crowned and the first points awarded across a highly competitive field that featured a strong entry in all 6 divisions.

Day 1 was a dance with conditions, as surfers negotiated the small surf, big tides and varied banks, whilst day 2 provided a drop in wave period but an increase in swell, resulting in a fun day with plenty of waves for all. Come the end of the weekend, following lots of impressive surfing from all the happy Groms, it was finals time.
The girls under 16 title was awarded to Ellie Turner of Bude, who actually won both the under 14’s and 16’s divisions, with Jersey’s Kitty Brewer taking a close 2nd in both divisions also.
The boys under 16’s title was taken by Liam Murray-Strout with confident and powerful surfing in the final, followed by little rippers Kit Innes and Seth Morris and under 14 champion Noah Capps in 4th. Liam’s surfing also earned the Smith Optics move of the day, which is a prize awarded by the judges in recognition of the best surfing on a wave seen throughout the weekend.
The under 14’s boys division was a highly competitive field that ultimately saw a confident Noah Capps take his first Grom Search win. As mentioned, Ellie and Kitty featured in both 14’s and 16’s girl’s finals, as well as Lily Mandeville, showing that this age group has a strong future.
The boys under 12’s final was a close one between second place and local Croyde Grom Jake Arrowsmith but Exeter’s Sam Hearn defeated him with a crucial 0.27 heat score difference. The girls under 12’s was great to see with Bonita Whitelock taking the win and posting a combined heat score of 11.00.
The sunshine came out for the presentations which took place on a packed out Croyde Beach, with great prizes including GPS watches and goodie bags from Ripcurl and Smith Optics. The finalists were then surprised and whisked off to the festival where they were again awarded with their 1st place medals in front of festival goers and projected onto the big screens, an experience they won’t forget soon.
The next event is at Freshwater West, Wales on July 11/12th, entry will open in the coming days.

RESULTS

UNDER 16 BOYS
1ST – Liam Murray-Strout
2nd – Kit Innes
3rd – Seth Morris
4th – Noah Capps

UNDER 16 GIRLS
1st – Ellie Turner
2nd – Kitty Brewer
3rd – Bethan Lewis
4th – Lily Mandeville

UNDER 14 BOYS
1st – Noah Capps
2nd – Seth Morris
3rd – Barnaby Cox
4th – Sol Hawkins

UNDER 14 GIRLS
1ST – Ellie Turner
2nd – Kitty Brewer
3rd - Lily Mandeville
4th – Ffion Hughes

UNDER 12 BOYS
1st – Sam Heard
2nd – Jake Arrowsmith
3rd – Bertie Norman
4th – Thomas Reeves

UNDER 12 GIRLS
1ST – Bonita Whitelock
2nd – Lauren Sandland
3rd – Tula Black
4th – Tegan Blackford