Kiama hosted Australia’s best junior surfers last weekend for the the first round of the Woolworths Surfer Grom Competition.
The series includes ten competitions along the Australian coast throughout the summer season, with categories U8s—U14s.
Over 90 young surfers participated in Kiama across the seven different divisions.
Surfing Australia CEO Chris Mater said the grom comp series is an important stepping stone for Australia’s future surfing elite.
“The Woolworths Surfer Groms series serves as a pivotal pathway for the next generation of aspiring professional surfers, providing them with a fun and friendly introduction to competitive surfing,” Mr Mater said.
The winners of the Under 14 boys and girl divisions, Ashton Mekisic and Talia Tebb, won the exciting prize of a 3-day all-expenses paid trip to the Hyundai Surfing Australia High Performance Centre.
Woolworths Head of Community and Sponsorships Sarah De La Mare said that the company aims to improve the caliber and well-being of junior surfers.
“As today’s Fresh Food People, we’re committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Australian kids,” Ms De La Mare said.
“While this series helps to develop groms in a fun and competitive surfing environment, it also educates kids and families about natural connections between healthy eating habits through Australian sport.”
The events continue throughout summer, culminating in the National Final, which will be held at the Hyundai Surfing Australia High-Performance Centre in December, Surfing Australia said. The remaining nine events will be held at Coffs Harbour, Fleurieu Peninsula, Gold Coast, Torquay, Clifton Beach, Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Trigg in Western Australia, Cronulla, The Sunshine Coast, and the final, held at Casuarina QLD.