After a two-year-long hiatus, the Skullcandy Oz Grom Open pres. by Vissla returned to Lennox Head today with some of Australia’s best young up-and-comers going toe-to-toe in picturesque two-to-three-foot beach break conditions.
Recent ISA World Junior Champion Willis Droomer (Jan Juc, Vic) showed why he is considered one of the world’s best junior surfers demolishing a series of punchy right-handers over the course of his round one heat. Droomer linked a chain of critical snaps and carves in the heat to finish his exchange with a giant 15.43 two-wave heat total.
Sunshine Coast native Jahly Stokes made her presence felt in the Under-18 Girls division, finding a handful of punchy righthand waves to finish her round one heat with an impressive 13.57 two-wave heat total, the highest of the division thus far. Stokes will meet recent ISA World Juniors surfer Keira Buckpitt (Culburra Beach, NSW), Manon Pouget and Imogen Enfield in the second round of competition.
Local surfer Juniper Harper (Lennox Head) put on a decent performance on her home break, posting a 14.00 two-wave heat total, the highest of the 16 Girls round one. Harper showed an intimate knowledge of the Lennox Head beach breaks, nailing an array of beautiful forehand and backhand snaps to cement her position in the second round.
Both Zyah Hession (Coolangatta, Qld) and Sol Gruendling (Freshwater, NSW) proved they’d be two surfers to watch in the 16 Boys division, posting heat totals in excess of 15.00. Both surfers will make their next appearance in the second round.
The six-day event will run from 7 July –12 July and will comprise 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.
It is anticipated that the event will get underway by 7.30 am each day.
Daily press packages will be sent out over the course of the event.
For onsite media contact Ethan Smith on 0432 149 887.
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.
