Spencer Rowson and Anna Brock win the premier Under 18 divisions at the final round of The Connect Group SISA South Island Grom Series.
The fourth and final event of the The Connect Group South Island Grom Series concluded at Meatworks, Kaikoura at the weekend. The event took place with beautiful waves in the 2-3 foot range on Friday, dropping slightly for finals day on Saturday. The wind blew onshore from midday of the finals day, but it didn’t take the sting out of the competitors’ fire. The event also served as a chance to accumulate points for the few remaining spots on the New Zealand Junior Worlds Team.
This carrot added another level of intensity to some already emotionally charged performances. None of those was as intense as the battle for the Under 18s. The boys division saw Alexis Owen, who had already made selection through his nationals win, go up against Spencer Rowson, local Tyler Perry and Kalani Louis.
It was a battle royale with any of the surfers capable of posting the big scores. The lead swapped several times with Kalani Louis claiming an early lead. Into the dying moments of the final Spencer Rowson changed gears and put the win beyond doubt with 6s on his ninth and 10th waves. Tyler’s run was left a little too late when he boosted a huge air reverse after the buzzer.
Spencer had been one of several form surfers in the early rounds and earned the win in one of the most exciting finals of the whole series.
In the women’s Under 18s Anna Brock managed to stave off her competitors to post 5s and 4s in the fast deteriorating conditions. She used her experience to better the next wave of stars: Maya Mateja, Leia Millar and Chloe Groube.
Chloe Groube turned that around in the Under 16 Girls, taking the win ahead of Leia Milla, Maya Mateja and Alani Morse.
Tao Mouldey, who had taken an early exit in the Under 18s, came out firing to win the Under 16s. In second was Alexis Owen, with double finalist Sol Fritchley in third and Sam Frazerhurst in fourth.
The Under 14 Boys saw the continued rise of Mount Maunganui’s pint-sized Sol Fritchley who never missed a beat all weekend. He won the final convincingly with Jesse Frazerhurst in second, Australian-based surfer Joe Hatton in third and Jack Higgins in fourth.
Alani Morse continued her good form, making two finals and winning the Under 14 Girls. She won ahead of Lola Groube, Kyra Wallis and local surfer Sacha Surgenor.
Full results The Connect Group Kaikoura Grom Comp
Round 4 of the South Island Grom Series
