Sunshine Beach duo dominate Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps – National Final

The 2022 Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps National Final has been held at Cabarita Beach in 3-4ft blustery, wind blown conditions.

Surfing Australia Contest Director Glen Elliot said: “Mother Nature doesn’t always deliver perfect conditions but all of the State finalists excelled.”

Queensland dominated the event with U14 Boys winner Jesse Fergusson and U14 Girls winner Eliza Richardson both hailing from Sunshine Beach.

Fergusson continued his incredible run of form, winning his third competition in just one week.

After victory in the Woolworths Surfer Groms Comp qualifier at Coolum Beach, QLD last Sunday, he took out the third event of the Rip Curl GromSearch series days later and then backed it up again today.

Fergusson left his three competitors in a combination situation, after scoring an 8.17 and 8.5 early on.

He said conditions were similar to his home break and he was really happy with the win.

Richardson is also on a winning streak.

Fresh off an Australian Title, she too won the Woolworths Surfer Groms Comp qualifier at Coolum Beach last Sunday.

Setting up her finals appearance at Cabarita with an 8.50 single wave score in the semifinal, Richardson went from strength by strength to win again in the final.

“I’m feeling pretty good. Was hard out there but I just got a few good ones,” she said.

Charli Hately (Currumbin, QLD) finished second in the final and took out the best and fairest award.

Cruz Uros (Dunsborough, WA) was awarded best and fairest for the Boys.

FINAL – Under 14 Boys
Jesse Fergusson (Sunshine Beach, QLD) 16.67pts
Ben Zanatta (Dee Why, NSW) 12.10pts
Rene Galloway (Newport, NSW) 11.23pts
Caden Francis (Palm Beach, QLD) 11.16pts

FINAL – Under 14 Girls
Eliza Richardson (Sunshine Beach, QLD) 11.66pts
Charli Hately (Currumbin, QLD) 9.10pts
Lucy Darragh (Gerringong, NSW) 7.33pts
Olive Hardy (Gnarabup, WA) 6.46pts

The event brought together U14 Boys and U14 Girls winners from every national event. As well as winning a spot in the final, the top-20 surfers attended an all expenses paid, three-day camp at the Hyundai Surfing Australia High Performance Centre, which included an elite coaching program with Surfing Australia’s professional surf coaches.

Regarded as one of the major stepping stones in the development of young Australian surfers, the 10-event Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps series caters for surfers from Under 8 to Under 14 and was held in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and South Australia over summer.

Each division of the 2022 Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps has been added to the 2022 Surfing Australia National Junior Rankings with each event rated at 4500pts for first place with points descending respectively. A result at the final, worth 5500pts, will contribute to a competitor’s overall National Junior Ranking.

The Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps is proudly supported by Woolworth, Ruffie Rustic Foods and Surfing Australia.