Grommets all over Tay St

About 80 young surfers are gathering at Tay Street this weekend for the Billabong Grom Series, contesting the boys and girls under 12, 14 and 16 divisions.

Taranaki grom Isaac Kettle in an early heat

Tay Street is the first of three contests with the over-all series winners getting entry and flights to compete at the Occy Grom comp on the Gold Coast in July.

“It’s a fun little wave about two foot at the moment, good for the kids,” says Billabong event manager AJ Matthews today.

“There’s a little on shore breeze blowing but its not too bad, there’s actually some good conditions, very contestable.

“It’s meant to get bigger throughout the day and its meant to get a little bit bigger tomorrow. I think by this afternoon and tomorrow we will have some good waves on offer, especially as the tide starts coming back in.”

Today is the heats, with semis and finals being held Sunday.

As well as the surfing there is a horizontal and slam dunk bungee for spectators to enjoy.

Sam Gerrie, 10, Mount Maunganui tires the horizontal bungee

Bay of Plenty surfers fill the ranks in the younger Under 14 and Under 12 Divisions with several local surfers looking good.

Arataki 11 year old Kehu Butler is a favourite for top placings. Kehu finished the National Champs runner up to Sandy Bay surfer Manu Scott – Arrieta.

Kehu will compete this weekend alongside his younger sister Iritana Butler who will contest the Grom Series for the first time.  The Butlers will be joined by their cousin Maaia Reid – Bennett, also from Mount Maunganui. 

In the Under 16 Boys Division, locals Jordan Griffin, Quin Matenga and Kayden Mayes are taking on the ‘seniors’ of the grom events including defending series champion Dune Kennings (WGM) and Elliot Paerata – Reid (Piha) along with winner of the Under 14 Boys Division in 2011 Harrison Whiteside (Chch), McKenzie Bowden (WGM) and a throng of Taranaki groms all keen to make their presence felt at the start of the series.

In the Under 16 Girls Division, the Sansom twins Gabriela and Bianca of Albany will face off against Gisborne girls Jasmine Smith and Dayna Story, all four surfers part of the New Zealand Junior Squad.
The New Zealand Junior Surfing Team is being named after the second event of the series at Whangamata over February 11/12. This will add increased pressure on the top surfers who will aim toward selection and a chance to compete at the Da Kine International Surfing Association (ISA) World Junior Championship to be held in Panama during April. 
The Billabong Grom Series presented by Oceanbridge also awards five surfers airfares to Australia and entry into one of Australia’s elite events for those that win their respective divisions.




Ricardo Lucibella, Taranaki.

Campbell Ivory, Tairoa.

Bryn Marshall, Ohope.

Mckenzie Bowden, Whangamata.

Jack Mills, Bay of Plenty.

Jack Mills, Bay of Plenty.

Campbell Ivory and Isaac Kettle enter the water.

Caleb Braithwaite from Whakatane finishes his heat.

Isaac Kettle from Taranaki.

Thomas Carter, 10 from Waihi.

Kelly Have, 11.