SNAPPER ROCKS, QUEENSLAND (Wednesday 1 July 2026) – The Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp presented by CocoCoast officially got underway today at Snapper Rocks, with Australia’s best junior surfers making the most of clean point break conditions to kick off the event’s 21st edition.
With a building swell forecast over the coming days, the event opened in smaller, playful conditions, providing the perfect canvas for the youngest competitors to showcase their talent.
The Under 12 Boys and Under 12 Girls divisions were first into the lineup, delivering an impressive display of skill, confidence and wave selection as they opened the event and offered an exciting glimpse into the future of Australian surfing.
As conditions continued to improve throughout the day, the Under 14 Boys and Under 14 Girls divisions raised the intensity, producing several standout performances.
Leading the way in the Under 14 Girls, Estella Carbonelli posted an outstanding 17.17 heat total (out of a possible 20), combining powerful surfing with excellent wave selection.
The opening heat of the Under 14 Boys delivered an equally impressive statement, with Maverick Macgugan setting the benchmark for the event after scoring a 9.33 and an 8.50 for a combined 17.83 heat total (out of a possible 20), the highest heat total recorded on Day One.
The Under 16 Girls wrapped up the opening day in style, delivering some of the strongest performances of the event so far. Taking full advantage of the clean afternoon conditions, the division showcased a high standard of progressive surfing, providing an exciting preview of what’s to come as the competition continues.
Competition resumes tomorrow morning with the Under 16 Boys and Under 16 Girls divisions returning to the lineup. With a building swell forecast, the stage is set for the country’s best junior surfers to raise the bar even further over the remaining days of competition.
With the benchmark now firmly established, anticipation is building as the country’s leading junior surfers prepare for the remaining four days of competition. Forecasts indicate a likely increase in swell, setting the stage for even bigger performances as the event progresses.
The Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp presented by CocoCoast continues through until Sunday 5 July, with divisions ranging from Under 12 to Under 18 competing for one of Australia’s most prestigious junior surfing titles.
The final two days of competition will be streamed live via webcast, with event coverage also available across Surfing Queensland’s social media channels at @surfing_queensland.
Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp pres. by CocoCoast is part of the Surfing Australia Junior Series.
Supported by: Snapper Surfriders Club, Surfing Queensland, City of Gold Coast, Sun Bum, Hydro Flask, FCS, JS Surfboards, Kustom, S&S Group, Stryker, Nocs Provisions, Kirra Surf, Blue Minds and Rainbow Bay Surf Life Saving Club.
