STANDOUT SUPERHERO SURFERS

Midwest Surf School and Christian Surfers Geraldton hosted the
2nd Geraldton Grommets Surf Competition and Beach Games day on Sunday 1st April at Back Beach.

150 spectators including over 50 registered participants were astonished by the three divisions and beach games that unfolded on the day as a culmination to the 8 week Vegemite Surf Groms program.

The event began with an all-ages fancy dress expression session that saw 35 participants dressed as super heroes tackle waves from two foot (0.6m) reforming waves to six foot (1.8m) bomb set waves out the back.

Champions and Runner Ups for the expression session included:

Best Outfit:
- Chonnie Bellottie (30) was costumed in a magnificent purple and black wetsuit disguise, complete with a sequinned cape and blonde wig;
- Imogen Vince (10) dressed in a shimmering gold Wonder Woman masquerade.

Most Committed Surfer:
- Francois Beukes (16) completed a massive drop into a heavy closeout;
- Ben Warr (7), snapped his softboard.

Best Trick:
-Isaac (6) Harrington and Declan Wilson (8) completed an amazing tandem surfboard ride to impress the judges;
- Sarah Sibson (9) completed the splits while riding a wave.

Best Super Hero Feat:
- Kelly Harrington (21) surfed with gusto and superhero rigging in an amazing display of skill and agility;
- Jye Doherty (9) caught an astounding amount of waves in his batman outfit proving his prowess.

Best Wave:
- Neil Plumber (33) could of had any of his waves count as best wave of the competition. He surfed three big barrel pull-ins, an amazing backhand lip attack combination and finished the expression session with a big aerial attempt;
- Judah Leet (14) found a great reforming bank about 60 metres out that consistently provided him with waves of high scoring potential.

Many other novelty prizes were also awarded during the expression session. Video footage of the expression session recorded by Chris Lewis can be viewed at http://open.abc.net.au/openregions/wa-mid-west-35nL7oA .

The next two divisions catered for 5-8 year olds and 9-12 year olds with parents allowed to tow their child into the waves on softboards if they wished.

The final placings are as follows (all scores are out of 20):

5-8 Year Olds
1st Ben Warr 14.3 points
2nd Alec Gregory-Smith 13.3 points
3rd Ava Williams 12.6 points
4th Issac Harrington 10.3 points

Due to a tied heat in the 9-12 semi-finals, six surfers took to the water in the grand final.

1st Tye Jolley 12.6 points
2nd Jack Delane 13.3 points
3rd Seth Nugen 10.0 points
4th Sam Conley 9.6 points
5th Ella Proudlove 8.3 points
6th Ethan Drown 7.0 points

Dimitra Massaros said a highlight for her family was how well organised and welcoming the organising team from Christian Surfers were in her children’s first surfing competition. “We all had a ball and look forward to coming to the next Geraldton Grommets Surf Comp.”

Contest Director Keith Roffman said “God provided the perfect condition that we had prayed for.”

“A majority of the competitors have only been surfing for a very short period of time and all of them need to be congratulated on their willingness and improvement.”

Mr Roffman went on to say, “the local surf community has pulled together to provide huge support to make this event more successful than the last event in November.”

Trophies, medallions and prizes for the surfing, beach games and the expression session were supplied by Midwest Surf School, Christian Surfers Geraldton, McDonalds, Corner Surf, Geraldton Surf and Sail, BM Surf and Sticky Feet.

Strathalbyn Christian College sponsored the event through supply of a huge shade area and Opus generously provided a PA so the marvellous activities could be commentated.

The organisers will continue to discuss and implement innovated methods to build relationships with Geraldton youth who are surf and skate motivated throughout this year.