Queenslanders, Isla Huppatz (Burleigh Heads) and Landen Smales (Noosa Heads, QLD) have taken out the blue ribbon under 16 divisions today at the 17th annual Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp presented by Kirra Surf in clean and peaky 3ft (1 meter) waves at Duranbah Beach (Dbah) on the Gold Coast.
The Occy’s Grom Comp is one of the most prestigious events on the junior calendar with a high calibre of local, national and international surfers.
Smales was victorious in the under 16 boys, defeating Keenan Crisp (Lennox Head, NSW) in the most highly anticipated final of the day. Smales showcased his progressive surfing and scored a 13.24 (out of a possible 20.00), managing to put Crisp in a difficult position to comeback.
“Its been pretty tough competition throughout the whole event so I’m stoked to take the win today,” said Smales. “The waves went kind of dead at the start so I was struggling to find one but I managed to get a couple fun rides and I’ve had a great event”
Isla Huppatz (Burleigh Heads) claimed the crown in the under 16 girls division, defeating Maia Taite (Seaford, SA) with an 8.77 and a 6.00.
“The waves have been good every single day so I was just happy to be surfing out there,” said Huppatz. “It’s been a really fun event and I’m so stoked to claim the win today”
Max Mcgillivray (Evans Head, NSW) and Kanon Takahashi(Coolangatta, QLD) claimed the under 14 boys and girls divisions, respectively.
Under 14 boys winner, Max Mcgillivray (Evans Head, NSW) said he was over the moon with his result today.
“I was so stoked to get two nines early in my heat,”said Mcgillivray. “I’m a big fan of Occy’s surfing, so it’s pretty cool to win his event today.”
Locana Cullen (Avalon, NSW) claimed the under 12 boys division and also was awarded the best overall performance of the 2022 Occy’s Grom Comp.
“I’m so happy,” said Cullen. “The waves are fun and it’s been an epic comp.”
Talia Tebb (Avoca, NSW) put on a solid performance, claiming a total score of 15.34 (out of a possible 20.00), defeating Lola Groube (Pauanui Beach, NZ) in the under 12 girls final.
The 2022 Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp presented by Kirra Surf is proudly supported by Surfing Queensland, Kustom, JS Industries, Oakberry, Stryker Media, Nixon, Mrs Palmers and Blue Dinosaur.
ENDS.
Under 12 Girls
1st – Talia Tebb (Avoca, NSW)
2nd – Lola Groube (Pauanui Beach, NZ)
Under 12 Boys
1st – Locana Cullen (Avalon, NSW)
2nd – Jaggar Phillips (Maroubra, NSW)
Under 14 Girls
1st – Kanon Takashi (Coolangatta, QLD)
2nd – Anna Huppatz (Burleigh Heads, QLD)
Under 14 Boys
1st – Max Mcgillivray (Evans Head)
2nd – Hunter Andersson (Moffat Beach, QLD)
Under 16 Girls
1st – Isla Huppatz (Burleigh Heads, QLD)
2nd – Maia Taite (Seaford, SA)
Under 16 Boys
1st – Landen Smales (Noosa Heads, QLD)
2nd – Keenan Crisp (Lennox Head, NSW)
