GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND (Saturday 1 July, 2023) – The highly anticipated Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp made a historic return today, marking the first time since its inception to be held at the iconic Snapper Rocks, Queensland. The event, now in its 18 year, has traditionally been held at Duranbah Beach.
Taking place at Snapper Rocks for the first time, the event has established itself as one of the premier grommet competitions, due to the high standard of surfers and international field. This year’s event has bought together an impressive lineup of young surfers in various age divisions, including Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 for both boys and girls.
The competition got underway in small but clean two-to-three foot waves which provided the perfect canvas for the opening rounds of the Under 12 and 14 divisions. With increasing swell expected to hit the Gold Coast in the coming days, we’re anticipating exciting conditions for the remainder of the event window.
The Under 12 boys were first up in the morning, getting the best of today’s conditions before the waves deteriorated in the early afternoon. Local hopeful and Snapper Rocks Boardrider, Jaxxon Sands (Palm Beach, QLD), kicked off the day in fine form, showing his local knowledge to win his opening round with a total of 12.57 (out of a possible 20).
Indonesian surfer, Jasper Glossop (Legian, Bali),was the standout performer of the Under 12 division, locking in a 7.83 single wave score and backing it up with an excellent 8.77 (out of possible 10) with a combination of solid backhand manoeuvres.
“I had such a great time out there, it was pumping,” said Glossop. “Snapper is my favourite wave in Australia, so I feel super lucky to get a chance to surf it in a heat, especially with no one else out. I’ve been surfing out here all week and there’s been like 100 people in the water. It’s a dream come true and so exciting to get through because it means more perfect uncrowded waves.”
Current Under 12 Girls Queensland State Champion, Navah Holmes (Tugun, QLD) made her Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp debut and the performance did not disappoint. Holmes won her opening round to progress to the Quarterfinals where she will take on Wayan Malana Fairbrother, Ily Fraser and Lily Naylor which is scheduled to run on Monday (3 July).
Another local hopeful, Luca Martin (Coolangatta, QLD), looked right at home in the Under 14 boys division, winning his heat to progress through to Round 2.
2022 Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp Under 12 Champion, Locana Cullen (Avalon Beach), was in fine form, winning his opening round against Jahli Clarke with a two-wave total of 13.00. Cullen said the surf was windy but still heaps of fun. “It’s a really good experience to surf Snapper with only three others out. I’m stoked.”
The Under 14 girls concluded the first day of action, putting on excellent performances and impressive heat totals.Thirteen-year-old phenom, Eliza Richardson, made her Snapper Rocks debut and lived up to expectations. The exciting young goofy-footer took a dominant win in the her first heat, securing one of the highest heat totals of the day (16.10).
In another Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp first, there is a live webcast throughout the whole four day event window with an all star cast comprising of Vaughan Blakey, Stace Galbraith, Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew and Lilliana Bowrey, plus special guests throughout the event.
Tomorrow will see the blue-ribbon Under 16 division opening rounds hit the water.
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.
