Four of region's most talented young surfers shine at home in GromSearch event

Up-and-coming Sunshine Coast surfers showed they will be ones to watch with dashing displays at the Rip Curl GromSearch event at Coolum Beach.

Four of the six winners were locals, catching the judges’ eyes amid solid 1.5m surf on Tuesday.

Noosa Heads’ Lilliana Bowrey continued her emergence, with victory in the under-16 girls section.

She scored on two late waves in a final that was extended from 20 minutes to 25 minutes, to allow surfers more opportunity as the tide went out.

Her score of 13.03 proved too much for Coco Cairns (11.03), Charlotte Mulley (9.43) and Tayla Green (7.83).

“The competition is unreal. I was so nervous because all the girls have been surfing so amazing, I’m super happy to get the win and to be heading to the national final,” she told Surfing Queensland.

All place-getters in the third and last qualifying event of the series have booked berths at the national final at the wave pool URBNSURF in Melbourne in March. There will also be wildcards in each division, to be selected by Rip Curl in coming weeks.

Buddina’s Jahly Stokes (below left) triumphed in the under-14 girls division after a close contest with Currumbin’s Jordy Halford.

She nabbed a late wave, worth 5.55, to seal the victory.

“I’m super stoked to get the win. Jordy was surfing great and pushed me all the way,” she said.

Noosa Heads’ Stella Green won the under-12 girls section, with an 13.83 total, after a strong showing during the competition.

“I’m so happy to get the win and even more stoked to be going down to URBNSURF. It will be my first time at a wave pool”.

Noosa Heads’ Mitchell Peterson won the under-12 boys division, with just 0.43 points separating all four finalists.

Peterson is in form, having won the Woolworths Groms Comp two days earlier.

“It has always been my goal to win a Rip Curl GromSearch and I’m so stoked to finally do it,” he said.

The competition moved from Alexandra Headland after day one to Coolum for day two.

Coolangatta’s Marlon Harrison won the under-16 boys division while Burleigh Heads’ Rico Haybittle won the under-14 boys section.

RESULTS

Under 16 Boys Division: 1st – Marlon Harrison (Coolangatta) 2nd – Tim Bain (Sunshine Beach) 3rd – Matt Boyle (Currumbin) 4th – Luke Brumby (Alexandra Headland)

Under 16 Girls Division: 1st – Lilliana Bowrey (Noosa Heads) 2nd – Coco Cairns (Tewantin) 3rd – Charlotte Mully (Burleigh Heads)  4th – Tayla Green (Buddina)

Under 14 Boys Division: 1st – Rico Haybittle (Burleigh Heads) 2nd – Landen Smales (Peregian Beach) 3rd – Tom Whitpaine (Burleigh Heads) 4th – Ashton Pignat (Coolum)

Under 14 Girls Division: 1st – Jahly Stokes (Buddina) 2nd – Jordy Halford (Currumbin) 3rd – Riley Du preez (Currumbin) 4th – Jorja Foster (Pacific Paradise)

Under 12 Boys Division: 1st – Mitchell Peterson (Noosa Heads) 2nd – Hunter Andersson (Moffat Beach) 3rd – Caden Francis (Palm Beach) 4th- Darcy Dwyer (Sunshine Beach)

Under 12 Girls Division: 1st – Stella Green (Buddina) 2nd – Oli Taylor (Peregian Beach) 3rd – Mila Du Preez (Currumbin) 4th – Laney Stokes (Buddina)

Rip Curl GromSearch Specialty Awards:

Rising Star: Girl – Laney Stokes (Buddina) Boy – Chez Bos (Burleigh Heads)

Outstanding Performer: Girl – Mila Du Preez (Currumbin) Boy – Dane Henry (Coolangatta)