Pittwater Online News

The 2017 Sydney Grommet Challenge came to a close today with four new champions being crowned after a series of exciting finals in tricky three-foot waves at Manly Beach.

Over 100 of Australia’s most promising young male and female under-16 and under-14 junior surfers competed in the event, which served as a precursor to the prestigious World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) event that kicks off tomorrow.

Hometown hero George Pittar (Manly, NSW) got the local surfing contingent cheering from the stands, and the sand, as he tore apart the Under-16 Boys division. In what was a storybook finale, Pittar managed to notch up a near-perfect 9.17 scoring wave to gain the upper hand against his fellow rivals and eventually, end up on the top position on the dais.

 

Molly Picklum (Shelly Beach, NSW) found a handful of diamonds in the rough over the course of the Under-16 Girls final. Picklum performed with a healthy mix of flair and style over the course of the affair, posting two respectable scores to form a heat total of 12.50 (out of a possible 20 points). Closest rival Charli Hurst (Port Kembla, NSW) put up a valiant fight, but was unable to find the necessary 7.01 wave score required to steal Picklum’s lead.

 

Jarvis Earle (Cronulla, NSW) continued his highlight reel worthy performance in the final of the Under-14 Boys, posting two excellent wave scores in excess of 8.00 points. As the heat came to a close, Northern Beaches native Kobi Clements (Narrabeen, NSW) was the only surfer who could topple Earle, chasing down a massive 9.07 wave score, which never came to fruition.

 

Cedar Leigh-Jones (Whale Beach, NSW) surfed well beyond her years in the Under-14 Girls division, continually posting decent wave scores in the difficult conditions. Leigh-Jones notched up a 15.43 heat total to leave her fellow finalists chasing a combination of scores to take the lead away.

 

Former World Championship Tour surfer Dayyan Neve (North Steyne Boardriders, NSW) earned a spot into the upcoming WSL QS, taking out the local trials event. In a format that allowed North Steyne and Queenscliff Boardriders Clubs the opportunity to gain a wildcard into the premiere event, Neve posted a near perfect 9.33 wave score for a chain of huge backside snaps, which essentially knocked the fellow locals from their perch and earned him a coveted wildcard into the QS event.

 

Competitors from all over NSW, Queensland and Victoria competed in the event.

 

The 2017 Australian Open of Surfing will run from 25 February – 5 March. The nine-day, one-of-a-kind festival will bring together some of the world’s top athletes in surfing and skateboarding combined with two days of live concerts on the music stage, art/photo installations and interactive sponsor displays.

1 – Jarvis Earle (Cronulla, NSW)

2 – Kobi Clements (Narrabeen, NSW)

3 – Nate Hopkins (Noraville, NSW)

4 – Hughie Vaughan (Bateau Bay, NSW)

1 – Cedar Leigh-Jones (Avalon, NSW)

2 – Zahlia Short (Austinmer, NSW)

3 – Oceanna Rogers (Shell Cove, NSW)

4 – Keira Buckpitt (Culburra, NSW)

1 – George Pittar (Manly, NSW)

2 – Fill Hill (Avoca, NSW)

3 – Archer Curtis (Palm Beach, Qld)

4 – Jamie Thomson (Narrabeen, NSW)

1 – Molly Picklum (Shelly Beach, NSW)

2 – Charli Hurst (Port Kembla, NSW)

3 – Carly Shanahan (Wooli, NSW)

4 – Elle Clayton-Brown (Corlette, NSW)

The 2017 Sydney Grommet Challenge got off to a flying start today as the opening weekend of the Australian Open of Surfing kicked off in tricky two-foot waves at Manly Beach.

Over 100 of Australia’s most promising young male and female under-16 and under-14 junior surfers competed in the opening rounds of the event, which serves as a precursor to the prestigious World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) event.

Finn Hill (Avoca, NSW) made his intentions clear from the moment he hit the lineup in the Under-16 Boys, posting an excellent 8.83 wave score (out of a possible ten points). The Central Coast natural-footer executed a flurry of critical manoeuvres to claim the heat convincingly and leave his fellow rivals chasing a combination of scores to knock him from the top-spot.

George Pittar (Manly, NSW) and Archer Curtis (Palm Beach, Qld) both remained hot on Hill’s heels as they both posted excellent wave scores in excess of 8.00 in the second round of the Under-16 Boys. Both surfers will make their next appearance in the quarterfinals tomorrow.

Molly Picklum (Shelly Beach, NSW) was the standout performer over the duration of the Under-16 Girls posting a solid 14.33 heat total (out of a possible 20 points). The Central Coast native didn’t hold back on critical sections, nailing turns and snaps with effortless flow and precision. Picklum is slated to take on Bella Grainger (Collaroy, NSW), Carly Shanahan (Wooli, NSW) and Tiya Collins (Avalon, NSW) when the event resumes tomorrow.

2016 Sydney Grommet Challenge runner-up and Northern Beaches native Cedar Leigh-Jones (Whale Beach, NSW) dominated the Under-14 Girls division, nailing an array of critical sections over the duration of her opening heat. Leigh-Jones posted an impressive 8.00 wave to claim the heat and cement a position in tomorrow’s semi-finals.

The powerful frontside snaps of Jarvis Earle (Cronulla, NSW) synced perfectly with Manly’s throaty beachbreaks as he unloaded a barrage of mammoth snaps and carves in his opening Under-14 Boys heat. Earle posted a notable 7.67 wave score over the course of the heat and made it known he’d be one of the groms to beat going into tomorrow’s finals.

Competitors from all over NSW, Queensland and Victoria are competing in the event.

 

The 2017 Australian Open of Surfing will run from 25 February – 5 March. The nine-day, one-of-a-kind festival will bring together some of the world’s top athletes in surfing and skateboarding combined with two days of live concerts on the music stage, art/photo installations and interactive sponsor displays.

 

Tommy Golsby-Smith (North Narrabeen, NSW) posted 10.6 in Round1/Heat 1 placing 2nd behoind Jamie Thomson on 10.97. - photo by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW

For the second year running, the Australian Open of Surfing will host the Sydney Grom Challenge, which is set to kick off on the shores of the iconic Manly Beach this forthcoming weekend.

Over 100 of Australia’s most promising young male and female under-16 and under-14 junior surfers will compete in the event which will serve as a precursor to the prestigious World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) event.

Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden was blown away by the standard of surfing in the maiden year of the Sydney Grom Challenge and believes that 2017 will be bigger and better than ever.

“The calibre of surfing in the 2016 event was mind-blowing, especially considering the size of the conditions,” said Madden. “We expect the groms to be hungry to claim a coveted trophy in what is fast becoming a prestigious event.”

The two-day event gives junior competitors an insight into the amphitheatre provided at a high ranked QS event. The AOS Sydney Grom Challenge will run February 25-26th.

Competitors from all over NSW, Queensland and Victoria are all confirmed to compete in the event.

The 2017 Australian Open of Surfing will run from 25 February – 5 March. The nine-day, one-of-a-kind festival will bring together some of the world’s top athletes in surfing and skateboarding combined with two days of live concerts on the music stage, art/photo installations and interactive sponsor displays.

A complete breakdown of the event can be found at www.australianopenofsurfing.com/

Top: Local competitor Cedar Leigh Jones will be just one of 100-plus surfers that is partaking in all the junior surfing action this weekend at Manly-photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW