Groms ride high

The Cowaramup Bay Boardriders junior surfers finally got to show off their moves practised during a five-month break from competitions due to coronavirus as surfing resumed at South Point on Sunday.

Conditions had stalled the contest in recent weeks, and Sunday’s second-round comp offered inconsistent waves in the 2-3 foot range until they improved during the morning.

Sol Pogue-Englert shook off a shaky start in his under-18 heats to dominate the great conditions of the final.

Showcasing a series of powerful forehand speed carves, Pogue-Englert won with a total of 15.10.

Jed Gradisen threatened to take him out, but fell on a huge floater and finished second with 14.50.

The senior girls’ division was dominated by Margaret River’s Willow Hardy, who surfed with her ever-growing speed and precision for a combined total of 16.67.

Milla Clifford revelled in the conditions on her backhand and came in second with 12.74.

Mischa Edwards placed third and Lilla-Grace Howarth did well in her first final to finish fourth.

In the under-16 boys, it was the younger surfers who impressed, with two 13-year-olds taking out the top two slots.

Ever-sharp Macklin Flynn surfed with finesse well beyond his years to win (14.00), while Jake Ghiretti tore his way into second place.

Leif Fourie took third, and Ben Cook surfed well for fourth place in his first final.

After a pumping semi-final, it was a close but wave-starved final in the under-14 boys.

Cruz Sheridan won (12.40), with less than two points separating all the finalists. Okie Fraser was second (11.27), Sid Englert third (11.13) and Fynn Lange forth (10.77).

The junior girls final was held out at Huzzas in great little conditions, with Gnarabup’s Willow Hines focusing more on the rights to take the win (11.44). Kaleisha Launders looked threatening on the lefts, but came in second with a 9.27. Olive Hardy barrelled into third and Grace Cook finished fourth.

The under-12 boys final was out the main peak at South Point and Max Ghiretti claimed first (14.83), with Brody Mulik narrowly taking out Ace Flynn for a second in his first final.

The novice division revelled in the clean, uncrowded conditions of Huzzas.

Ethan Anderson won on the strength of a cracker wave that scored 7.63, with Zenn surfing well for second. Cherri Hines surfed well in her first final to nearly knock Sebb Luttrell out of third place.

The juniors are now preparing for the Gracetown Grommets competition on September 12 and 13.