Monday, September 26, 2011
Jerry's South African Grom Bash Goes Off!
Jerry's Grom Bash for 2011, presented by Turbo Bodyboards, Gotcha, Cafe
Sofia and WPBA got off to a smoking start on saturday, the 24th of September in
4-5ft, offshore, peaky conditions at Derdesteen, just north of Tableview.
Over 40 keen youngsters, all under the age of 20, some from afar afield as
Plettenberg Bay on the South Africa's east coast rocked up to have their chance
at the title of "King of the groms" in 2011.
This years event boasted two divisions, the Under 20 division aswell as the
hotly contested Under 16 division, which incidentally was the biggest and most
competitive, even though most of the Under 16
competitors rode Under 20 aswell. This is a very postive reflection on the state of Bodyboarding in South Africa and after watching these kids ride all day, I can safely say the sport is in good hands.
competitors rode Under 20 aswell. This is a very postive reflection on the state of Bodyboarding in South Africa and after watching these kids ride all day, I can safely say the sport is in good hands.
Straight from the word go, big scores were being scribbled down and the
upsets were being dished out like the barrels out the back on low tide,
FREQUENTLY. Jason Fowler fell prey to some hungry upstarts and was eliminated
early, this meaning a new king would surely be crowned come sunset. Nik Martin,
from Plettenberg Bay impressed the judges with a massive roll on the outside
earning him a 9.5. Some other standouts from throughout the day include, Bas
Koopmans, Gabrial Hair, Tristan Roberts, Wilder Schultz and Aiden Wilson.
As the tide came in the action moved to the shorebreak and it didnt slow
down right until the final minute. Big scores were flying, my mouth was hanging
open and people were hooting!
Once the dust had settled everyone headed over to "Cafe Sofia" for the
official prizegiving, where everyone kicked back, got some refreshements, some
grinds and the stage was set for the new champions to be crowned. Up first were
the Under 20 finalists, although it was really an all Under 16 affair with the
only actual "legal" rider, David Lilienfeld, coming away with 4th position and
some sweet Gotcha goodies. Tristan Roberts, who is only 14 and perhaps one of
the most advanced riders in the world for his age, came 3rd, winning a Gotcha
schoolbag. This left Aiden Wilson, who had been impressing all day and Nik
Martin, the events highest scorer and overall smooth cat. In the end Nik was
just to smooth for Aiden and he walked away with the "King of the groms" title
in the Under 20's, earning himself a new Turbo IV bodyboard and a Gotcha
Boardbag for his efforts!
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| The Under 20's Finalists |
Next up were the finalists of the biggest, and most competitive division,
the Under 16's. Coming in 4th place, after ripping it up all day with some high
flying inverts on some big sections was Bas Koopmans, also taking home some
Gotcha goodies. Aiden Wilson, almost went back to back but came a close 3rd,
taking home his own Gotcha schoolbag. This left the "Wonderkid" Tristan Roberts
and a relatively fresh face to the CT scene, Wilder Schultz, fighting it out for
the 1st and 2nd places. Wilder surfed a smart heat and used wave size to his
advantage taking waves way out back, doing some big moves before connecting them
into the Shorey before giving it one last go, this proved to be the winning
formula and Wilder Schultz is your new "King of the groms" in the Under 16
division! Wilder took home a brand new Turbo V LTD, and a Gotcha Boardbag and
one hell of a sunburnt face for his efforts!
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| The Under 16's Finalists |
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| Aiden Wilson - The Unknown Threat |
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| Nicko Arlotti - Lucky prize Winner |
Nik, Wilder and a host of other youngsters thoroughly impressed me
yesterday and as a South African I am so proud and content to see that the
future of the sport in my country is in good hands!
I want to thank the sponsors, Turbo Bodyboards, Gotcha, Cafe Sofia and WPBA
for making this event a reality, I really look forward to working with you in
years to come. A huge thank you to my father, Angus Houston for all his work,
aswell as my Mother for totalising and my siblings and Natasha for all their
help aswell! Jen Koopmans, thanks for all you do for us and the sport, aswell as
the Judges (the boys) and anyone else who helped out during the day.Thanks to
the parents for bringing your children out to compete and thanks for hanging
with us the whole day! Until next year, see you all in the water and, Derdesteen
for life!
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