Lukas Skinner set the early tone with this massive boost in Heat 1 Day 1

Great Western Beach in Newquay provided the amphitheatre for the first stop of the GromSearch UK Series.

Surfing England made the decision to switch from the main location of Watergate Bay due to the large end of summer swell and what a great move it turned out to be. The swell rolled in, the sun popped its head out and the Slope Beach Bar provided great hospitality.

Reen Bowden boosting with Newquay as the perfect backdrop

Action was hot from the very first heat to the last and the 75 entrants displayed the depth of talent in the UK juniors right now. Lukas Skinner lit up the beach with several crowd inspiring airs in the first heat of competition and throughout the event but still was pushed into 2nd place by a rapidly improving and solid display by Reen Bowden. 

In the 12’s girls it was great to see surfers travelling from as far as Wales and Newcastle  to compete but in the end it was local Newquay surfer Eva Blackford who took the win. Another local Megan Webb took the U14’s girls title and in the U16’s Welsh sensation Alys Barton proved she is simply unstoppable in the GromSearch. Last years’ series winner still has fresh memories of competing in the World Finals in Costa Rica and is again in the hot seat for a qualifying spot this year. 

Welsh sensation Alys Barton continued her total domninance of the Grom Search with yet another win

The boys U14’s was a particularly strong field and in the final it was Max Miller-Cooley who selected the best waves and executed them well for a solid win over Guernseys Tom Hook, a resurgent Gabe Llewellyn and a ripping Jed Wood. Stanley Norman came into the event as top ranked U16 and his intentions were clear with the win firmly in his sights from heat 1. With a big air reverse in the final he sealed the deal over an impressive Sam Hearn, Kieron Smith and Alex Townsend. His move also delivered him the Smith Optics Move of the Event award. Stan now sits in prime position for the golden ticket for the World Final Qualification. 

U16 Winner Stan Norman also took out the Smith MOve of the Event with this big rotation

All attention is now towards the final deciding event in Jersey scheduled for 7/8th September where the series champions will be crowned. The U16 Boys and Girls overall winner gets the golden ticket to the World Final. In addition the 2,3,4,5th placed U16’s Boys and Girls qualify for the European Final.

U16 Boys
1- Stan Norman
2- Sam Hearn
3- Kieron Smith
4- Alex Townsend
U16 Girls
1- Alys Barton
2- Belle Betteridge
3- Tegan Blackford
4- Lauren Sandland
U14 Boys
1- Max Miller Cooley
2- Tom Hook
3- Gabe Llewellyn
4- Jed Wood
U14 Girls
1- Meghan Webb
U12 Boys
1- Reen Bowden
2- Lukas Skinner
3 – Heath Gillespie
4- Nikita Petrov
U12 GIRLS
1- Eva Blackford
2- Willow Harlyn-Smith
3- Ava Perry
4- Kaja Millward
Smith Optics Move Of The Event
Stan Norman