For the second event in a row, The Connect Group South Island Grom Series is gifted with pumping waves, this time at Kaikoura.
With valuable SISA Grom Series and Surfing NZ points on offer, the Kaikoura event attracts a slew of the best surfers from the North Island including Natasha Gouldsbury, Ava Henderson, Anna and Sophia Brock, Tao Mouldey, Will Hardie, Spencer Rowson, Tava Santorik and many more.
But none of them expected to turn up to pumping waves as a clean easterly swell slowly built throughout the contest and shuffled to the south. The two days of competition had it all as the field dwindled down to the finals in each division.
Here’s our story of the event in 40 Frames.
Gallery: 40 Frames From Kaikoura
Dawn at Kaikoura.Lenka and Cargs working out the Meatworks lineup.Will Hardie on form. Dawn waves before the comp.Spencer Rowson: a standout.India Kennings making the final.Campervan life. Photog and local Dave Lyons.Keo Morrison off the bottom.Tao Mouldey loving the juice. Jack Tyro masterful as ever.Tao Mouldey focused. Sophia Brock ripping in her heats. Steve and Bonnie. Judge Matt McCory enjoying his backyard after the comp. Alexis Owen superb in Kaikoura.Taya Morrison in the Under 18s. Local grom Sonny Lyons with Jesse and Sam Frazerhurst and Tao Mouldey. Sam Frazerhurst continues his run of form.Ben and Torah Kennings.Karne Gabbott on his way to a heat win. Rocco with his mum and dad.Jack Higgins making heats in Kaikoura.The dusty Woods’ brothers with Leon Santorik.Tava Santorik slicing back.The Brock family enjoying the moment.Tava Santorik and the lineup at Meatworks.Rakiatea Tau and Beau Woods.Lexi Owens chaired up the beach by Keo and Noah after his Under 14 win. Local charger Sonny Lyons. The lineup.Karne Gabbott and Jack McKenzie … with their potato cannon.Taj Millar Dal Bosco on a tear.Tava and dad Leon discuss heat tactics. Dawn on Day Two.Lincoln Penei stepping up in Kaiks.Nathan Mouldey and Nudge.Jesse Frazerhurst ripping in the solid conditions.The spectators down the beach. Ava Henderson back in the comp jersey. Rakiatea Tau one to watch. George Roberts on fire at Meatworks.Will Hardie clinical in the Under 18s.Natasha Gouldsbury focused on the win.Campbell Heasley and one of his laybacks. Tao Mouldey comfortable in the punchy peaks. Taj and Mauro before a heat. Tyler Perry unlucky not to make finals at his home break. Tao on his way to a win in his final.The Frazerhurst family before Sam’s heat.Jack McKenzie fresh from 1st XV rugby trials.Anna Brock and father Jamie before her heat.Jai Wallis in the Under 18 final.Tessa Gabbott, Poppy Entwisle and India Kennings after the Under 14 final.Anna Brock powerful in the set waves.Natasha Gouldsbury on form as she wins the Under 18s.Sophia Brock and Tessa Gabbott share a laugh.Spencer Rowson is one to watch. Dusk as the event winds down.
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