Rip Curl Grom Search presented by Snickers Monday 25th January 2010 written by Surfing Australia

Rip Curl GromSearch Presented by Snickers

Hutchinson and Ogden heading to Bells after victories in the Rip Curl GromSearch presented by SNICKERS

Monday, 25 January 2010
You'd have been nuts to have missed out on the final day of action at the Rip Curl GromSearch presented by SNICKERS.
There was plenty on the line at North Cronulla Beach with two spots in the of the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final up for grabs but most importantly, 6 division titles were set to be decided!

In the hotly contested blue ribbon Under 16 Boys Final, it was Tylah Hutchinson (Warriewood, NSW) who made his intentions clear early on by taking a slender lead.

Surfers jostled for priority as each finalist did what they could to post their best scores with Manyana (NSW) top gun Sean Mawson throwing everything he possibly could from his surfing arsenal to overtake Hutchinson.
In the end it didn't matter how much pressure was applied to Hutchinson with his commanding lead proving too much for his opponents and he went on to win his first major title in the Under 16s division.
Nervous before the final, Hutchinson said he was stoked at his breakthrough victory.
"In the past few comps that I have surfed, I've only managed to get a few second and third places, but to take out the Cronulla GromSearch is such a good feeling," said Hutchinson. "To win here is just amazing - a dream comes true!"
"Now I get a chance to surf in front of my heroes during the Rip Curl Pro!" Hutchinson said excitedly.
Mawson came home in second behind Hutchinson, with Harry Hynd (Surfers Paradise, QLD) in third and Kurtis Herman of Anna Bay (NSW) was fourth.

One surfer who literally blew her competition away was Byron Bay (NSW) blaster Kirsten Ogden. Ogden single handily destroyed her opposition over two different age divisions.
Seemingly without difficulty, Ogden won the Under 16 Girls title over the much fancied former GromSearch winner Rachel Campbell (Stanwell Park, NSW) and has secured her spot in the national finals.
But Ogden didn't stop there, she also wrapped up the Under 14 Girls Title with just as much ease.
The judges couldn't stop talking about the incredible level of surfing being dished out by Far North Coast NSW junior.
For her efforts, Ogden also took out the Triple Bull Daily Performance Award.
In second behind Odgen in the Under 16s was Rachel Campbell (Stanwell Park, NSW), with Fiona Casey (South West Rocks, NSW) in third and Stephanie Single (Lennox Head, NSW) in fourth.
Queensland surfing prodigy Kai Hing (Wurtville QLD), made sure that the honours didn't all go the way of the NSW juniors.

Hing was in unstoppable form in the Under 14 Boys final, with imposing scores by the Queenslander making sure no one stood a chance of getting near him and his sights on the title.
Behind Hing was Jordan Lawler (North Narrabeen, NSW) in second, with Michael Bain (Copacabana, NSW) third and Louis Gillick (Culburra, NSW) in fourth.
Unable to stop the runaway Odgen train, fellow dual-division finalist Stephanie Single (Lennox Head, NSW) did all she could to string together a second placing in the Under 14 Girls, with Coco Beeby (Scotts Head, NSW) in third and Veronica Charles (Woolooware, NSW) in fourth.
In the Under 12 boys final, pocket size grommet Kai Hing went back for seconds, this time in his correct age group. Hing subsequently devoured the opposition before his friends chaired the winning surfer up the beach like a true champion.

Local talent Sam Bond (Cronulla, NSW) finished a respectable second, with Kalani Ball (Stanwell Park, NSW) third and Fraser Dovell (Avalon, NSW) in fourth.
Adding more to his triumphant feats, Hing also took out the SNICKERS Wave of the Day with a phenomenal ride that even had the commentators in awe.
In a tight battle for the Under 12 Girls title, it was Holly Wawn (Newport, NSW) who rose above the rest despite a last minute ‘all or nothing' effort from exciting Tweed Heads (NSW) dynamo Alyssa Lock. Holly-Sue Coffey (Crescent Head, NSW) came home in third, whilst fourth place went to Billie Melinz (Coalcliff, NSW).
Today's gruelling and nail biting results only further cements the depth of talent that Australia has in its junior surfing ranks.

Rip Curl GromSearch Event Manager Mark Flanagan, says the series has been unbelievable, with the level of surfing being produced by the Grommets simply outstanding.
"It all starts here at the grass roots and Rip Curl is proud to play a major role in unearthing future world champions," said Flanagan. "Rip Curl is committed to the development of junior surfing in Australia and I can't wait for the National GromSearch Final at Bells Beach during the Rip Curl Pro."
With the ongoing success of Australian surfing on the world stage with the likes of 2009 ASP World Champions Mick Fanning and Stephanie Gilmore, the Rip Curl Grom Search series further confirms the importance of national junior surfing events.
The Rip Curl GromSearch will fire up again in the latter half of the year for what is sure to be another cracking series.

The Rip Curl GromSearch presented by SNICKERS is Australia's only national junior event series and gives surfers aged 16 and under the opportunity to test themselves against their friends, peers and interstate visitors alike.
The series is held in all surfing states of Australia and is also run in key surfing regions around the world including the USA, Brazil, Europe, Indonesia, South Africa and New Zealand.
For more information be sure to log onto www.ripcurl.com.au and www.surfingaustralia.com.
The Rip Curl GromSearch Cronulla is proudly presented by SNICKERS in association with Triple Bull, Waves Magazine, Fuel TV, Surfing Australia and Surfing NSW.
Final Results:

Under 16 Boys
1st - Tylah Hutchinson (Warriewood, NSW)
2nd - Sean Mawson (Manyana, NSW)
3rd - Harry Hynd (Surfers Paradise, QLD)
4th - Kurtis Herman (Anna Bay, NSW)

Under 16 Girls
1st - Kirsten Ogden (Byron Bay NSW)
2nd - Rachel Campbell (Stanwell Park, NSW)
3rd - Fiona Casey (South West Rocks, NSW)
4th - Stephanie Single (Lennox Head, NSW)
Under 14 Boys
1st - Kai Hing (Wurtville, QLD)
2nd - Jordan Lawler (North Narrabeen, NSW)
3rd - Michael Bain (Copacabana, NSW)
4th - Louis Gillick (Culburra, NSW)
Under 14 Girls
1st - Kirsten Ogden (Byron Bay NSW)
2nd - Stephanie Single (Lennox Head, NSW)
3rd - Coco Beeby (Scotts Head, NSW)
4th - Veronica Charles (Woolooware, NSW)
Under 12 Boys
1st - Kai Hing (Wurtville, QLD)
2nd - Sam Bond (Newport, NSW)
3rd - Kalani Ball (Stanwell Park, NSW)
4th - Fraser Dovell (Avalon, NSW)

Under 12 Girls
1st - Holly Wawn (Newport, NSW)
2nd - Alyssa Lock (Tweed Heads, NSW)
3rd - Holly-Sue Coffey (Crescent Head, NSW)
4th - Billie Melinz (Coalcliff, NSW)
Written by Surfing Australia.

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