Tricky conditions greet competitors at Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps in West Oz

The stoke and skills of some of Western Australia’s finest young surfers were on display at the eighth stop of the 2023 Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps series, with seven champions crowned along Perth’s metropolitan coastline.

Despite small, tricky and windswept conditions at Trigg Point, close to 80 frothing grommets from across the state brought their A-game, turning the weekend into a display of WA’s future surfing stocks, with some inspiring performances from each division that hit the water.

The Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps continue to serve as a lively and essential initiation into surfing competition, with each event playing a key role in nurturing Australia’s ever-growing community of ‘micro-groms.’ 

Leila Fraser from Margaret River and Cruz Uros from Dunsborough won the blue-ribbon Under-14 Girls and Under-14 Boys divisions respectively, securing coveted spots at an all-expenses-paid three-day camp at the Surfing Australia High Performance Centre (HPC) in December.

Fraser, the Under-14 Girls State Champion, celebrated victory on the strength of her superior wave selection and powerful manoeuvre choice, posting a two-wave combined total of 13.70 (from a possible 20), which included a 7.17 and 6.53.

Fraser edged out local talent Coco Laurie (Trigg), her younger sister Ily Fraser (Margaret River) and Jaycee Hart (Inaloo), who pushed her all the way to the win in the Under-14 Girls final.

“This is my last year in the Woolies Surfer Groms so to go out on top is amazing,” said Fraser. “The HPC is remarkable and such a great opportunity to learn from some of the best surf coaches in the country, I can’t wait!”

Cruz Uros left his mark on the Under-14 Boys final, earning back-to-back victories thanks to his precise and critical turns. Uros will take great confidence from his win heading into next week’s Woolworths Australian Junior Surfing Titles set to be held on Phillip Island, Victoria.

Uros finished on a combined total of 12.57 (from a possible 20), just half a point ahead of Flynn Eastaugh (Yallingup) in second, with Jasper Glossop (Broadwater) in third and Ethan Anderson (Cowaramup) in fourth.

“I’m so stoked to get the win,” said Uros. “I learned so much last year at the HPC and I’m really looking forward to representing WA at the Aussie Titles next week and this is great preparation for the event.”

The younger divisions showcased fierce competition and amazing sportsmanship, with Ily Fraser (Margaret River) claiming the Under-12 Girls title and Billy Bromfield (Dunsborough) posting the biggest win of his young career in the Under-12 Boys, dropping a near-perfect 9.00 ride (from a possible 10) on his way to victory.

The Under-10’s stole the show with their infectious enthusiasm and eagerness to improve clearly on show. Luna Thomas (Margaret River) and Finn Sapwell (Karrinyup) emerged champions in their respective divisions, both displaying maturity beyond their years on the waves at Trigg Point. 

Seven year old Brysen (Dunsborough) showcased his surfing journey by clinching victory in the Under-8 Mixed final, proving he’ll be will be one to watch into the future.

Event commentator and surf coach Mark Clift praised the grommets for mastering the challenging conditions and pushing the sport of surfing forward in WA.

“This is one of my favourite events of the year and the groms just keep getting better and better. Despite the small and challenging conditions, all our competitors really stepped it up this weekend with some show-stopping performances across all the divisions.”

Billy Bromfield (Dunsborough) received the Le Tan Le Breakthrough Performer award for his amazing energy and incredible surfing potential.

Regarded as a pivotal stepping stone in the development of young Australian surfers, the 10-event Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps series will continue its wave-riding journey in Cronulla, NSW, in December.

Each event contributes to competitors’ overall National Junior Ranking, with points awarded based on their performance, adding an extra layer of excitement to the already exhilarating competition.

Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps Final Results – Trigg, WA:

Under 8 Mixed Parent Assist: 
1. Brysen Gee (Dunsborough) – 22.86
2. Alby Bromfield (Dunsborough) – 19.77
3. Koa Davis (Cowaramup) – 16.34
4. Vander McEwan (Marmion) – 16.16
* combined totals from 2x finals

Under 10 Girls: 
1. Luna Thomas (Margaret River) – 12.00
2. Kit Vernon (Wembly Downs) – 10.23
3. Amelie Waddell (Wembly Downs) – 9.83
4. Indie McEwan (Marmion) – 9.50

Under 10 Boys:
1. Finn Sapwell (Karrinyup) – 20.07
2. Kyuss Rimmer (Trigg) – 16.33
3. Archie Fullwood (Mosman Park) – 12.04
4. Declan Thorp (Margaret River) – 10.26
5. Koa Davies (Cowaramup) – 9.83
* combined totals from 2x finals

Under 12 Girls:
1. Ily Fraser (Margaret River) – 13.00
2. Lily Naylor (Cowaramup) – 12.16
3. Summer Barkhuizen (Eglinton) – 10.73
4. Amelie Wroth (Wannanup) – 6.24

Under 12 Boys:
1. Billy Bromfield (Dunsborough) – 12.03
2. Ollie Holmes (Dunsborough) – 9.00
3. Nate Spooner (Yallingup) – 8.67
4. Darcy Stewart (Bunbury) – 6.34

Under 14 Girls:
1. Leila Fraser (Margaret River) – 13.70
2. Coco Laurie (Trigg) – 12.40
3. Ily Fraser (Margaret River) – 11.17
4. Jaycee Hart (Inaloo) – 9.60

Under 14 Boys:
1. Cruz Uros (Dunsborough) – 12.57
2. Flynn Eastaugh (Yallingup) – 12.16
3. Jasper Glossop (Broadwater) – 11.33
4. Ethan Anderson (Cowaramup) – 5.60

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 U8 to U14 and will be held in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and South Australia over summer.

As an added bonus, the respective winners of the Under 14 boys’ and girls’ divisions from each event will receive an invite to attend an all-expenses-paid, three-day Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps National Final Surf Camp, (1-day coaching clinic, two days of competition and heat analysis coaching) at the Surfing Australia High-Performance Centre (HPC). For the South Australian, Victorian and Tasmanian events, the Woolworths Surf Camp prize will be awarded to the highest place Under-14 Boy and Girl who reside in that respective state.

Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps 2023 Schedule:

• EVENT 1 – Kiama, NSW – Sept 2 – 3, 2023
• EVENT 2 – Coffs Harbour, NSW – Sept 9 – 10, 2023 
• EVENT 3 – Fleurieu Peninsula, SA – Sept 30, 2023
• EVENT 4 – Gold Coast, QLD – Oct 7 – 8, 2023
• EVENT 5 – Torquay, VIC – Oct 14 – 15, 2023
• EVENT 6 – Clifton Beach, TAS – Oct 28, 2023
• EVENT 7 – Northern Beaches, NSW – Nov 4 – 5, 2023
• EVENT 8 – Trigg, WA – Nov 18 – 19, 2023
• EVENT 9 – Cronulla, NSW – Dec 2 – 3, 2023 
• EVENT 10 – Sunshine Coast, QLD – Dec 9 – 10, 2023
• National Final – Surfing Australia HPC, Casuarina, NSW – Dec 16 – 18, 2023

The Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps Series is proudly supported by Le Tan, Ruffie Rustic Foods, Wax Fresh and Surfing Australia.