The 18th annual Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp concluded today in spectacular fashion amidst wet and wild conditions at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast. Despite the inclement weather, there was plenty of opportunity for some of Australia’s best grommets to display their skills.
The blue ribbon Under 16 boys and girls divisions were the most highly anticipated finals and were no disappointment. Local girl, Quincy Symonds (Tweed Heads, NSW), looked right at home, taking an early lead to claim the crown in the Under 16 girls division, defeating Olive Hardy (Gnarabup, WA) with a 7.00 and a 5.83.
“It’s been amazing to compete at Snapper and I’m especially stoked to win,”said Symonds. “It’s my last year in this event so it couldn’t have ended better.”
14-year-old Queensland surfer and Billabong team rider, Hunter Andersson (Palm Beach, QLD), dominated the Under 16 boys final, taking an early lead and going from strength to strength to defeat Lachlan Arghyros (Kingscliff, NSW).Andersson’s backhand attack scored hima 15.37 (out of a possible 20.00) and put Arghyros in a difficult position to come back, requiring an 8.20 for the win.
Andersson said he’s super happy to get the win today against a tough field of competitors and a tough matchup with Arghyros. “I’m so stoked, it’s been such a good event and to surf Snapper with no one else out has been unreal.”
Surfing Queensland Event Manager, Elliot Dempster, said the past four days of competition at Snapper Rocks has been fantastic to witness.”Snapper Rocks is one of the most crowded breaks in Queensland and for these young surfers to experience competing out there with only their fellow competitors is incredible,” said Dempster. “The Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp has cemented itself as one of the most prestigious events on the junior calendar with a world-class location and high calibre of surfers. We’re looking forward to a bigger and better event year-on-year with Snapper Rocks as the host location.”
It was a battle of the Richardson twins in the Under 14 Girls division. However, it was Eliza Richardson (Sunshine Beach, QLD), who ended up in the top spot, showing her consistency throughout the entire event to defeat her sister Rosie. Eliza was also awarded by the judges the best overall performance of the event, winning a brand new JS Industries surfboard.
“Although competitive, it’s always special to share a final with my sister Rosie,” said Richardson. “It’s been such a fun event and I’m really happy to end up with a win.”
Reclaiming his 2022 Occy’s Grom Comp Under 12 Title, Locana Cullen (Avalon Beach, NSW), took the win in the Under 14 Boys division against Hemi Obrien (Palm Beach, QLD). Cullen said he was over the moon with his result today.
Leihani Kaloha Zoric (Lennox Heads) put on a solid performance all event and claimed the Under 12 girls division over Navah Holmes (Tugun).
It was a back-and-forth battle for the Under 12 boys title, between local Snapper Rocks boardrider, Jaxxon Sands (Palm Beach, QLD) and Liam Sham Koua (Tahiti, French Polynesia). Tahitian surfer, Sham Koua managed to find a score in the dying minutes to claim the win.
Click here to see the full results from today.
The Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp is proudly supported by Snapper Rocks Boardriders Club, Kirra Surf, JS Industries, Sun Bum, Creatures of Leisure, Surf Lakes, S&S Group, Mophie, Kustom Footwear, Rainbow Bay Surf Club & Stryker Media.
Under 12 Girls
1st – Leihani Kaloha Zoric
2nd – Navah Holmes
Under 12 Boys
1st – Liam Sham Koua
2nd – Jaxxon Sands
Under 14 Girls
1st – Eliza Richardson
2nd – Rosie Richardson
Under 14 Boys
1st – Locana Cullen
2nd – Hemi Obrien
Under 16 Girls
1st – Quincy Symonds
2nd – Olive Hardy
Under 16 Boys
1st – Hunter Andersson
2nd – Lachlan Arghyros
