KING THE GROMS SERIES 2009

The contest saw some big names exit early. Miles surprisingly bowed out of his U14’s semi final which came as a shock as he had won this category in the previous year. He’ll be joined in Europe by Bude’s Jobe Harris who came second in the Under 16s category and won the U14’s.  Jobe showed great potential with his mature surfing style.
Winners of the Irish and Jersey legs, Conner Maquire and Alex Vibert will be joining the Newquay ‘Kings’.
The Under 16s final saw some good surfing in the solid 4ft high tide Fistral. Miles Lee Hargarves dominated the final with Jobe Harris second,  Luke Dillon and Zack Lawton took third and fourth places respectively. 
The Under 14s saw Jobe Harris, Simon Trebilcock, Dylan Scotney and Dale Foster fighting it out, however it was Jobe Harris who topped the scores to take the title.
Given that there’s an ever growing pool of female talent in Britain, the BSA took the opportunity to run a girls section for the second year and Sophie Sainsbury, Jemima Knight, Lucy Campbell and Gabi Rowe fought hard for the honour of becoming the British ‘Queen’ with Gabi Rowe gaining the first position and the title for the second consecutive year. Lucy Campbell was leading the final but Gabi’s patience paid off when she got the highest scoring wave of the heat in the dying minutes.
The Expression Session saw the younger generation shine through with Harry Timson pulling a front side Aerial taking the title from Liam Turner Grab Tailside’s. Liam Turner stood out during the whole contest with his progressive style. Laura Crane is a future star to watch with her impressive surfing.

The Quiksilver King of the Groms is where the stars of the future are born. Originally known as the Pro Junior (won by Miky Picon in his early days) when it was first created some 17 years ago, the competition changed names and became the Grommets Trophy (won by Jérémy Florès), before changing again in 2006, since when it has been called the Quiksilver King of the Groms. 
The overall male winner receives an apprentice package that most surfers can only ever dream of: a wildcard enabling him, along with his chaperone, to compete in the trials for two events on the Men's World Championship Tour: the Quiksilver Pro France 2009 and the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast 2010 (Australia).
Contest director Joanne Hillman of the British Surfing Association said “It was great t to see the new young talent coming through this year; there were a lot of new names in the final. Hopefully this will give them a boost of confidence in future contests. I would like to thanks Fistral beach surf hire for letting us run the contest, also a big thanks to Meena and Spencer from Quicksilver for their help over the weekend.”
Spencer Hargraves of Quiksilver UK said, “The weather and conditions were very unpredictable this weekend but the standard of surfing from the groms was consistently high over the course of the two days.  We have some really strong talent here in Britain and there’s every chance that either Miles or Jobe could go all the way.  We wish them all the very best of luck for their heats in Spain later this year and I just want to say a big thanks to the BSA for all their support this weekend.”

Results:
Girls
1. Gabi Rowe
2. Lucy Campbell
3. Sophie Sainsbury
4.  Jemima Knight
Under 12
Harry De Roth
Rhys Barfield
Will Bailey
Max Payne
Under 14:
1. Jobe Harris
2. Simon Trebilcock
3. Dylan Scotney
4. Dale Foster
Under 16:
1. Miles Lee- Hargarves
2. Jobe Harris
3. Luke Dillion
4. Zack Lawton

In

Whilst the date and venue of the European final are changing, the concept remains the same:
- Qualifier events across Europe
- A European final at Zarautz from 7th to 8th August 2009

European qualifying dates:

France – 10 qualifiers
Brittany: 6/7 June (2 qualifiers)
Capbreton: 18 July (8 qualifiers)

UK – 4 qualifiers
Fistral Beach, Newquay: 4/5 July (2 qualifiers)
Watersplash, Jersey: 6/7 June (2 qualifiers)

Ireland – 1 qualifier
Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal: 20/21 June

Portugal – 2 qualifiers
Which one wild card allocated to Francisco Alves

Spain – 9 qualifiers
Asturias, Playa de Vegaa: 27/28 June
Galice, Razo: 11/12 July
Cantabria, Somo: 18/19 July

West Indies – 2 qualifiers
Martinique, Tartane: 12/13 April
Guadeloupe, Le Moule: 6/7 June
Saint Martin, Galion beach - Final: 10/11 MayItaly – 1 qualifier
Marina di Massa: 15 April to 31 May

Holland – 1 qualifier
Domburg: 21/24 May *

Canaries – 2 qualifiers
Gran Canaria, Playa Cicer: 6/7 June (1 qualifier)
Tenerife – Playa las Americas: 13/14 June (1 qualifier)

* To overcome a possible lack of waves, the KOTG's organizers in Benelux have set aside four potential dates to guarantee a qualifying event can go ahead. If conditions are unsuitable in Domburg, the Benelux qualifying event will take place at Hoek Van Holland from 30 May to 1 June. If conditions are poor at Hoek Van Holland, the qualifier will be held at Texel, and so on. The official qualifying event is the one at Domburg from 21 to 24 May.
During these qualifiers, Quiksilver Benelux and the Quiksilver Foundation will organize ecologically-themed events, with biologists on hand to raise awareness among the kids about the importance of protecting the environment and the coast. Introductions to surfing and paddle boarding will also be available to the public.

The European final
For the second year running, Quiksilver is organizing a European Final of the King of the Groms. From April onwards, the young surfers will be able to compete in qualifying events held across the continent, in an attempt to win their ticket to the final in Zarautz (note: Qualifying is reserved for residents of the host country only). In the final, thirty-two young surfers will come together at the Basque spot, Zarautz. Up for grabs will be a place in the International Final, due to take place for the second consecutive year on the beaches of Hossegor, Seignosse, Capbreton and Saint Jean de Luz during the Quiksilver Pro France from 23 September to 4 October. Places are precious and only the top two from the European Final at Zarautz will go through to the international event.

International Qualifying
As in Europe, surfers aged 16 and under from the other continents will also be able to take part in qualifying events. Following these qualifying events in Australia, South Africa, Japan, Indonesia, Tahiti, USA, Brazil and Reunion, 13 surfers will qualify for a place in the International Final of the King of the Groms, alongside the two European representatives. In Australia, the National U16 Championships will serve as the qualifying event, only the top two will go onto the International Final. In Japan, the winner of the National Championships will be selected for the international final of the KOTG.

International Qualifying Dates 

Australia – 2 qualifiers

New Zealand – 1 qualifier
Gisborne: 22nd March

USA – 3 qualifiers
Santa Cruz: 28 February
Ventura: 18/19 April
Ponto or PB Drive: 30/31 May
Casino Pier, NJ: 15/17 May
Wrightsville, NC: 13/15 June
Sebastien Inlet, FL: 6/7 June
Hawaii: 7 June
Puerto Rico: 19 April
Texas: 16 May
USA FINAL: 22 August

Brazil – 2 qualifiers
Rio de Janeiro: 2/3 May
Ubatuba: 30/31 May

Indonesia – 1 qualifier
Kuta Beach, Bali: 9/12 July

South Africa - 1 qualifier
Cape Town: 11/22 March
Mosseyl Bay: 13/14 June
Durban: 15/16 August

Tahiti – 1 qualifier
Tbc

Japan – 1 qualifier
The winner of the Japan national championships

Reunion Island – 1 qualifier
Saint Leu: 23/25 January
Roches Noires: 20/22 March
Etang Salé: 8/10 May

International Final
During the sole French stage on the elite ASP World Tour, the Quiksilver Pro France, the 16 international qualifiers will not only have the honour of surfing the same waves as their illustrious counterparts in the Top 44, but will also get to admire their talents throughout the competition.
Last year, the winner of the grand final, Maxime Huscenot (Fra), was crowned King of the Groms 2008 at the surf spot of Estagnots, Seignosse. For the 2009 edition, his worthy successor will receive a wildcard to take part in the trials for the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast 2010 and the Quiksilver Pro France.

Some of the European surfers vying for the title…

Pierre Rollet – 21 February 1994 (age 15) – France
Pierre Rollet is originally from the Basque Country and surfs in Anglet. A shy and discreet young man, Pierre is gradually establishing himself as one of the best surfers in his age category. Twice vice-champion of France, 5th in the European Final of last year's Quiksilver King of the Groms, Pierre Rollet is a big contender for the European final this time.

Tom Cloarec – 7 January 1994 (age 15) – France

Originally from Brittany, Cloarec now lives in south-west France, where he has become a skilled rider of the Atlantic beach breaks. European Champion in 2008 and French Champion, Tom is one of the rising stars of French surfing. At Zarautz, Tom will be looking to defend his European status and reach the International Final at Hossegor.

Ramzi Boukhiam – 14 September 1993 (age 15) - Morocco / Holland
Ramzi Boukhiam, an adopted son of Anglet, is an ardent fan of the Atlantic swells on the coast of south-west France. At Zarautz, he will have the chance to express himself on familiar waves. Three-times Champion of Morocco and 4th in the European Junior Championships, Ramzi will this year be looking to win a ticket to the International Final in Hossegor. Surfing alongside his idols like Kelly Slater, at his favourite spot, would be a dream come true for this young aerial specialist.

Francisco Alves – 26 June 1993 (age 15) – Portugal
Francisco Alves is one of the biggest names in surfing in this age category. A barrel specialist, Francisco loves riding the long waves at Ericeira, Portugal's surfing Mecca.
For the 2009 edition of the Quiksilver King of the Groms, the young Portuguese surfer will have a wild card for the European final. But he will be going all out to prove he's worthy of a place in the international final.

Ian Fontaine – 11 June 1993 (age 15) – France
Ian Fontaine is one of those irrepressible Breton surfers, firmly attached to their spots and their roots. Originally from Quimper, Ian was the first Breton to become French Surfing Champion in 2007. Fourth in the ISA Junior World Championships at Seignosse in 2008, his presence once again shows that the Quiksilver King of the Groms brings together the very best in this age category from Europe and around the world.

Note: if there are not enough waves on 7th and 8th August for the final to go ahead normally, the competition will be extended to Sunday 9 August.