Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps – National Final camp

The Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps National Final camp was held at the Surfing Australia Hyundai High Performance Centre (HPC) over the weekend. This event brought together 20 talented young surfers for a three-day camp that focused on surf coaching, video analysis, and various activities at the HPC, concluding with an exciting round-robin-style surf-off.

Cooper Rielly (Dicky Beach, QLD) who won the U14 Boys final at the Sunshine Coast contest said: “The reason I got a spot in this camp was because I won the Woolies comp in my State. Obviously, there are great coaches and great surfers so I just wanted to make the most of it and improve my surfing the best I could. Hopefully make it as far as I can, hopefully on the Tour one day, have fun with all my mates and yeah surf as much as I can. We’ve been doing heat based drills, working on our technique and just being a good surfer under pressure. You’re having fun while you’re getting coached by some of the best coaches in Australia.”

Zara Hall (Avoca, NSW) finished second in the U14 Girls final at the NSW – Northern Beaches competition said: “The girl who came first had already earned a spot in the camp so I got to come to the camp. I wanted to get better at surfing and managing time in heats. Some of my surfing heroes are Tyler Wright and Molly Picklum because they surf really well and they inspire young kids to follow their dreams. I’d love to make the World Tour one day, so I’ve got to try my hardest to get onto the CT when I’m older. Surfing with all the girls has been really fun. I learnt some good things that help you surf better and that keep you healthy when you play sport and you’re active.”

The Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps series is considered a major stepping stone in the development of young Australian surfers. This series consists of 10 events, catering to surfers aged from U8 to U14, held across Australia, including in NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, and South Australia. Winners of the U14 Boys’ and Girls’ divisions from each event are awarded invitations to take part in the all-expenses-paid camp, providing them with a unique opportunity to further develop their skills and passion for surfing. 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.