The inaugural Geraldton Vegemite Surf Groms Competition and Beach Games Day at Back Beach on the 4th of December, 2011 and set off in awesome conditions for the upcoming surf stars of the future.

Keith Roffman (contest director) from Midwest Surf School wants to thank the support team in particular Geraldton Christian Surfers that supplied ten volunteers from 5am and were integral in the planning, Surfing Mums, Geraldton’s Surf and Sail, Opus Music, Strathalbyn Christian College, Jack van Eck Woodwork, McDonald’s on the Hwy and a range of ever handy helpers including parents.

The event included many children that participated in the eight week Geraldton Vegemite SurfGroms Program. These 5-12 year olds have progressed through various levels of surf instruction, fun fitness and beach awareness.

The competition ran three mixed divisions with the following groms reaching the finals:

- Microgroms 5-8yr olds:

Note: less than a point separating 1st and 4th:

1- Jake Williams 8.6 points
2- Sam Pepper 8.3
3- Jai Plumber 8.1
4- West Broad 7.8

Less than one point separated first and fourth place.

- Supergroms 9-12yr olds:

1- Tye Jolley 9.1 Points
2- Alex Riemers 7.3
3- Jack Delane 7.1
4- Jai Rock 5.3

- Cadetgroms 13-15yr olds:

1- Freya Thompson 10.5 points.(note: She only decided to compete on the morning of the event and was a clear stand out all day maneuvering her board to find the perfect trim position on the greenface and completing re-entries and floaters before the waves closed out.
2- Cassia Haegele 6.3
3- Bryson Smith. 5.3
4- Josh Keys. 4.1

The modified rules allowed parents to drag grommets into waves and grommets use softboards if they wished. Some groms chose to persist standard equipment and paddling technique despite difficult small conditions.

Champions were given a Vegemite SurfGroms Trophy designed by Jack van Eck Woodwork, a $25 Geraldton Surf and Sail Gift Certificate, Surf Bible and DVD from Christian Surfers Geraldton and a variety of Wahu Beach Toys supplied by Midwest Surf School.

The remaining finalists received an array of the above prizes.

All competitors received an entry pack that included a variety of goodies including wax.

Many McDonald’s Vouchers and Wahu Beach Toys were given for the beach games including beach flag sprints, Indian scalp, hippo bumpo, rob the nest, follow the leader, and an all ages sandcastle building competition.

It was a God blessed day with parents, volunteers and Groms are looking forward the next comp.

We will continue to seek local sponsorship and parent assistance in running these competitions.