The 2022 Skullcandy Oz Grom Open pres. by Vissla concluded today with eight new champions being crowned across a variety of age divisions, as well as the WSL Pro Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) event.
With yesterday’s unpredictable conditions disappearing overnight, competitors were able to revel in the clean and punchy three-to-four foot walls that graced the competition area.
Kobi Clements (Long Reef, NSW) capitalised on the momentum he showed in the earlier rounds of competition, taking out the Boy’s final in the Pro Junior division. Despite sitting behind eventual event runner-up Lennox Chell (Avoca, NSW) for a big portion of the heat Clements was able to leapfrog his opposition when he nailed a long righthander that allowed a mix of gigantic snaps, turns and carves. The aforementioned wave netted the northern beaches natural footer an excellent 8.00 wave score and the overall victory.
“I didn’t think this was on the horizon at the beginning of the event, I just keep approaching it heat-by-heat,” said Clements. “My plan was to just stay calm, but then when I surfed the wave, I just wanted to belt it as hard as I could. When I got that long wave it definitely felt pretty good and to get an 8.00 for it was definitely the cherry on top.
Raya Campbell (Coolangatta, Qld) seemed unfazed by the high calibre of opponents in her Girls Pro Junior Final as she demolished the long righthanders on offer throughout the final. Campbell used the same skills that she’s honed on her home breaks of the Gold Coast as she nailed turn after turn to finish the final with a decent 13.07 two-wave heat total. Event standout Jahly Stokes (Sunshine Coast, Qld) put up a valiant battle but was unable to find the score required to take away Campbell’s lead.
“Even though the wind picked up a bit, there were some quality sets, so I just wanted to make sure I got one of those,” said Campbell. “I was watching the other competitors before the final and they were all ripping, but I was feeling pretty confident and I think it paid off. My goal was to take the victory as it’s been a while since I’ve had a win, so to get it feels pretty good.”
Local north coast surfer Max McGillivray (Evans Head, NSW) surfed well beyond his years in the 14 Boys as he belted out turns that would have fit in perfectly in older age divisions. Inspired by the recent success of fellow Evans Head local and Championship Tour surfer Callum Robson, McGillivray was able to get the edge over his opponents with an impressive 14.10 two-wave heat total.
Ava Holland (Mornington Peninsula, Vic) made her journey from Victoria worthwhile, taking out the 16 Girls division. The talented goofy-footer belted out turn-after-turn in the final exchange to win the coveted division with a decent 13.80 two-wave heat total.
All other age division results can be seen here.
Results from the Skullcandy Oz Grom Open Pro Junior can be seen here.
The six-day event ran from 7 July –12 July and comprised of a World Surf League (WSL) sanctioned Pro Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) event, as well as an elite competition for promising grommets in the Under 14, 16 and 18 divisions.
The 2022 Skullcandy Oz Grom Open presented by Vissla is proudly supported by Skullcandy, Vissla, Ballina Shire Council, Le-Ba Boardriders, WSL and Surfing NSW.
