Gromfest Story out in Waves Mag…!!

Check out the recent issue of Sept Waves – 4 pages of Gromfest pics and info.

RUSTY GROMFEST 2009

10th – 14th July.

Do you have any idea’s for 2009.??

Would you like to see something different at Gromfest..?

What did you think about 2008..?

Send your thoughts to lou@rusty.com.au

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S ….!!!

Dylan Osmetti from Culburra Beach.

The winner of a brand new Rusty Stick.

The Barrel was set up at Gromfest across the 4 days of the event – Dylans Mum cut out the entry from the Northern Star paper and put him in the draw…!

Well done Dylan..!  (and thanks Mum)..

Champions crowned at prestigious Rusty Gromfest

Six champions were crowned on the final day of competition at the Rusty Gromfest today, catapulting their names, and careers, to surfing folklore.In deteriorating 1m conditions at Lennox Head competitors took the standard to another level, showing skill, poise and maturity.

The blue ribbon divisions, the 16 years boys and gilrs, were taken out by Coolangatta’s  wonder-kid Jack Freestone and Newcastle’s rising star Phillipa Anderson.

Freestone, who didn’t catch a wave until four minutes remaining on the clock in the final, was cool under pressure, meticulously reeling his counterparts in with ease.

“I just couldn’t get a wave,” Freestone said.

“I didn’t freak out, I just stayed calm and waited for the right wave and it paid off in the end.”

Heralding his place amongst the best juniors in world, Freestone backed up his win at the Occy Grom Comp with a resounding victory at the Rusty Gromfest.

“I never dreamed that I could win both events,” he admitted after defeating Mitchell Baker (Cowes, VIC), Guillermo Satt (Chile) and Jake Sylvester (Bar Beach, NSW) in the final.

“It’s just an amazing feeling – I’m so stoked right now.”

Phillipa Anderson (Newcastle, NSW) was victorious in the under 16 years division, capping off an outstanding Rusty Gromfest campaign.

“I’m so stoked,” she said after accruing 10.40 (out of a possible 20) in the final.

After finishing second last year in same division, Anderson was ecstatic to go one better.

“I finished second last year. It was definitely my goal to take it out this year, to do it is amazing.”

“The standard is so high and with all the international crew it makes it such a good event,” Anderson added.

Georgia Fish (Flinders, VIC), Lyla Wright (Lennox Head, NSW) and Naomi Stevic (Castaways, QLD) finished second, third and fourth respectively.

Matt Banting (Port Macquarie, NSW) confirmed the buzz surrounding his emerging superstar status with yet another big junior title.

Surfing immaculately on his forehand throughout, Banting accrued a score of 16.50 (out of a possible 20) including an impressive nine-point ride that secured his place on the prestigious honour roll ahead of a class field including Suffolk Park’s Sol Bailey, Coolangatta’s Harry Wheeler and Narrabeen’s Cooper Chapman taking the minor positions respectively.

Fellow superstar Tyler Wright (Culburra Beach, NSW) continued her dominance of junior female surfing, with a decisive victory in the under 14 girls.

Dominant throughout the entire event, Wright was pushed all the way by Sarah Mason (Tugun, QLD), Manuel Hereiti (Tahiti) and Eden Putland (Currumbin Waters, QLD), but was just unstoppable in the end.
Karelle Poppke (Tahiti) took out the under 12 years girls division with a commanding display of innovative surfing.

Accruing a total heat score of 13.65 (out of a possible 20), Poppke accounted for Zoe Clarke (Jan Juc, VIC), Laura Poncini (Moffat Beach, QLD) and Olivia Wheeler (Coolangatta, QLD) who finished second, third and fourth respectively.

In the 12 years boys division it was another international competitor taking home the trophy as South African Benji Brand won the hotly contested final.

Brand was a standout throughout the entire event, using a powerful repertoire to take the title from event favourite Michael Wright (Culburra Beach, NSW), Nic Doran (Caloundra, QLD) and 10-year-old ace Jack Robinson (Margaret River, WA).

 

 

 

Rusty Gromfest set for bumper final day

With the standard of surfing at an all-time high on the third day of the Rusty Gromfest, all eyes are now turned to finals day as the competition rolls into the business end of proceedings.

In building 1m conditions, Lennox Head provided another picture perfect day as surfers and spectators reveled in the pristine mid-north coast setting.

Led by the Australian contingent the action was nothing short of dynamic.

Wade Carmichael (Avoca Beach, NSW) was outstanding in his early round heat, combining speed, power and flow en-route to qualifying for the next round.
“It took a while to get going this morning, but am still happy with how I surfed,” he said.
“I’m really happy with the boards I’ve got at the moment and feel really confident after a good result in my last few competitions.”

For Carmichael, the Rusty Gromfest provides him and fellow compatriots the opportunity to pit themselves against the best juniors from around the globe.
“Being able to compare my surfing against all the other international guys is really important for all the Australian surfers – myself included.”
“It definitely raises the bar and makes you want to surf better,” he said.

Another competitor in sparkling form of late has been Jordi Watson (Currarong, NSW).
Watson dominated his round two heat this morning, stamping his class and authority on the rest of the field.
“I really like surfing in this competition,” Watson said.
“It’s the pinnacle of the junior competitions around the world which is why so many international guys come over.”
“I’ve been building up for this event all year so I want to take the title,” Watson admitted.

However, it was Ryan Callinan (Merewether, NSW) with a combined heat total of 16.00 (out of a possible 20) including a single wave score of 9.00 (out of a possible 10) who was the standout of the morning.
With a silky smooth array of forehand maneuvers, Callinan displayed his intentions to the rest of the international field.
“The waves here suit my surfing and I feel pretty confident in these conditions.”
“I’m really enjoying this year’s event,” Callinan said.
“I’ve never got past the quarter final stages at the Rusty Gromfest, so I’m looking to better my results of previous years.”
“Everyone wants to win this event so it’s really going to be hard,” he added.

In the blue ribbon girl’s event, the under 16’s, Phillipa Anderson (Newcastle, NSW) turned a potentially event ending situation into an amazing show of determination and quality surfing.
After being called for interference on another competitor early in her quarter final showdown, Anderson found herself behind the eight ball (with her second highest score halved).
Remaining composed and clam under pressure, Anderson hit back with an eight point ride to seal her qualification in the semi final.

Tomorrow’s finals of the 14 Girls is set for a showdown of Australia’s eastern surfing states with Tyler Wright (NSW),Nikki Van Dijk (Vic) and Sarah Mason (Qld) all showing great form and potential winners.

The action at the Rusty Gromfest is set to go up a notch tomorrow on the final day of competition with champions to be crowned in all six divisions.

Finals across all divisions tomorrow, Monday July 14 2008

WA Contingent on fire at Gromfest..!!

 

With many West Aussie Grommets making the trip over to Gromfest they are proving to be tough competition for their fellow surfers in both the Girls and Boys Divisions.

 

Above photo – Laura McCauley (WA/Cowaramup Bay) impressively winning her opening round heat in the 16 Girls division of the Rusty Gromfest at Lennox Head NSW today.

 

Click on Heat draw tab above to check out results for round 2 action.

11 Year old Harry Bryant in action..!

Harry Bryant (Queensland/Sunshine Coast/Sunshine Beach) was one of many standout and highly impressive young surfers at the Rusty Gromfest at Lennox Head NSW today.

 

Bryant, just 11 years of age won his opening heat of the 12 Boys division posting an excellent 8 point ride and backing it up with a strong 7.5 to easily defeat local Lennox Head surfer Zac Wightman with both surfers advancing to round 2 in the 4 surfer heats.

Jack Robinson (WA/Margaret River), just 10 years of age but full of talent and impressively won his opening round heat of the 12 Boys division at the Rusty Gromfest at Lennox Head today. Jack is through to round two and one of the favourites in a field of super talented young surfers. 

 

High scores and superior surfing from the world’s best junior surfers highlighted the action packed second day of the Rusty Gromfest.

Surfing in pristine 1 metre conditions at the wave rich Lennox Head the standard of surfing was through the roof, with high scores and big moves on show.

None more impressive was Michael Wright (Culburra Beach, NSW) who dominated his first round heat of the under 12 boys.

Accruing the highest single wave score (9.75 out of a possible 10) and combined heat total (17.75 out of a possible 20) of the event thus far, Wright was on-fire.

“There were some really good waves out there this morning,” Wright said.

“I love coming up to Lennox to surf at the Gromfest every year,” he added.

After placing second to Soli Bailey last year in the under 12 division, Wright is looking to do one better and is feeling extremely confident.

“I just want to surf as well as I can, but the goal is definitely win it,” Wright admitted.

Fellow under 12 boy’s counterpart Jeames Young (Angourie, NSW), was another early morning standout, displaying silky smooth style and flow, en-route to the next round.

“It was really easy to find waves this morning,” Young said.

“I feel really comfortable surfing in this area,” the Angourie local said.

“I surf a lot around here and do all my training in the Byron area so hopefully it works to my advantage.”

After a result last year that was well below his own critically high standards, Young is desperate to do well in 2008.

“I’m definitely looking to do better this year.”

“It’s such a good event, the set-up is really good and the standard of competition is really hard. I love coming here.”

Featuring the best 344 young surfers on the planet, day two of the Rusty Gromfest also showcased the outstanding surfing talents of the domestic and international girls.
 
Leading the Australian charge was Naomi Stevic (Castaways, QLD) who surfed exceptionally well in the under 16 girls and qualified for the next round of competition.

“It’s such a fun competition and I’m a bit sad that this will be my last year,” she said.

“I’m looking for a good result and to finish on a high note.”

Renowned the world over as the original and most prestigious junior competition this year’s Rusty Gromfest sees competitors from England, Peru, New Zealand, Tahiti, Chile, South Africa and Bali diverging on Lennox Head.

“It’s the biggest competition for a lot of these girls and the international field produces such a really high standard,” Stevic said.

“It’s really good for girls surfing.”

Competition is set to continue tomorrow at Lennox Head with more excellent junior surfing action, with finals day set for Monday 15 July.

 

Day 2 – Saturday

Punching Dudes, Crazy Beanies, Animal Characters, Baked Beans, Loads of Free Stuff and an awesome display of Surfing from the 14’s and 12’s on Day 2 of Gromfest..

Did you make it in the Photo’s… ?

Stay Tuned for more info and comp results for Day #2