Micro-Grommets from all over the state are congregating on the Sunshine Coast this weekend for the first Queensland leg of the Woolworths Surfer Grom Comps series, which is set to kick off tomorrow (Saturday, 14th December) and run over two days. Divisions will range from the under 8 mixed division, all the way through to the Under 14 boys and girls divisions. The surf forecast shows a 3-4ft southerly swell approaching the Sunshine Coast for tomorrow, accompanied by northerly winds.
Sunshine Coast surfer Jahly Stokes (Buddina, QLD) has just been named Australian Champion in the under 14 girls division and is also looking forward to the event tomorrow.
“That was a tough finals day at the Aussie Titles,” said Stokes. “I had to surf the quarters, semis and the final all in one day – so it was a challenge trying to keep my energy levels up. I was stoked to take the win!”
“Hopefully I can win this weekend’s event, and get a spot at one of the (Surfing Australia’s High-Performance Centre) HPC camps. The coaches are really good there, I think everybody has their eyes on that prize.”
Mitchell Peterson (Noosa, QLD) who was recently crowned Queensland State Champion in the under 12 boys division is looking forward to the event on his home turf.
“I’m excited for the event this weekend – hopefully there are waves,” said Peterson. “I’m looking forward to surfing against my friends that I don’t often see. It wasn’t really good conditions for the Queensland Titles when I won, it was challenging – so it gave me a big confidence boost to take out the title in conditions like that.”
Surfing Queensland CEO Adam Yates is keen to get the first Queensland leg of the series underway.
“This is an extremely important series for the younger generation of surfers in Queensland,” said Yates. “For some, this will be their first time competing– and we can’t wait to see them start their competitive journey this weekend.”
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 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 Surf Camp 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.
Adding to the high stakes at the Woolworths Surf Camps will be the Pic’s Peanut Butter Pathway Performers, which will be awarded to a surfer at each respective camp including a $1,000 prize.
Each entrant will also receive a Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps participant pack of an Oakley hat and a pair of socks.
The Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps Series has helped to launch the careers of many of Australia’s most promising junior surfers with almost 800 children set to take part in the 2019/20 event series.
Speciality awards to be provided at each event include the Woolworths Fresh Wave (boy & girl) and the Pic’s Peanut Butter Star Performers (boy & girl).
2019/20 Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps:
EVENT 1 – Cronulla, NSW – Aug 31 – Sept 1, 2019
EVENT 2 – Northern Beaches, NSW – Sept 7-8, 2019
EVENT 3 – Kiama, NSW – Sept 14-15, 2019
EVENT 4 – Coffs Harbour, NSW – Oct 11-12, 2019
EVENT 5 – Fleurieu Peninsula, SA – Oct 26, 2019
EVENT 6 – Ocean Grove, VIC – Nov 16 – 17, 2019
EVENT 7 – Sunshine Coast, QLD – Dec 14 -15, 2019
EVENT 8 – Gold Coast, QLD – Jan 8 – 9, 2020
EVENT 9 -Trigg, WA – Jan 25 – 26, 2020
EVENT 10 – Clifton Beach, TAS – Feb 22, 2020
The Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps are proudly supported by the Sunshine Coast Council and Visit Sunshine Coast, Official Destination Partners For The Event, Pic’s Peanut Butter, 2XP, H2Coco, Mercedes Benz Gold Coast, Surfing World Magazine, Coastal Watch Plus, AirAsia, Surfing Australia, The Queensland Government and Surfing Queensland.
