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Channel Islands youth surfing contest
by George Mojo
08/06/2005:// Young surfers from the Channel Islands will have the chance to compete against the world's best after the setting up of a new annual global youth surfing competition.
King of the Groms is for aspiring under-16 surfers and is aimed at providing future stars exposure within professional surfing and an unrivalled platform for their careers.
Forty-eight 'grommets' from nine of the world's renowned surfing regions - Europe, Australia, USA, Bali, South Africa, Tahiti, Japan, Reunion Island and South America - will be eligible to qualify for the inaugural grand final, scheduled for the pristine beachbreaks of Capbreton, in France, from August 2 -7 this year.
Capbreton has been the birthplace and home to Quiksilver junior surfing events for since 1990.
The fifth leg of the series will be staged at St Ouen's Beach, Jersey on June 11th and 12th.
The series will mirror that used by the ASP World Championship Tour giving competitors a taste of elite surfing's highest competitive levels.
The newly crowned "King" will also be awarded an unparalleled opportunity - a guaranteed trials slot into three of the world's biggest WCT surfing tournaments, the Quiksilver Pro France, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast and the Quiksilver Pro Japan.
In addition the winner will be granted entry into each event's expression session and given international airfares for himself and one chaperone to each of the three countries.
The sponsor's Australasian Marketing Manager Garry Wall said. "We see it as more than an event, it supports the dynamic youth market in an authentic way. Combined with our innovative core products, it provides Under 16 groms with a vital platform to launch their competitive careers."
Two-time world champion Tom Carroll recognises the significance of such events, his own prolific career providing a road map for the current generation.
"Laying down the foundation and giving young kids a platform to express themselves is vital. The Under 16s really are some of the keenest, most vibrant surfers on the planet; they're our aspiring world champions. I remember being 15 and being invited to surf against all the best junior surfers at Narrabeen in Sydney and it was extraordinary, it was such a major event for us all. You either rise to the challenge or you don't. Either way it's a learning experience," said Carroll.
The breakdown per country of the 16 qualifying winners is: Australia (3 places), USA (3 places), Europe (3 places), Bali (1 place), South Africa (1 place), Tahiti (1 place), Japan (1 place), Reunion Island (1 place), South America - including Brazil (2 places).
The 16 international contenders will combine with the highest 32 placed U/16 surfers competing in a local King of the Groms trials event at Capbreton.
This trials event is open to all surfers and replaces the former "Quiksilver Grommets Trophy",
The trials also offers 60 international surfers a second chance to qualify for the King of the Groms main event.
Tour dates for Europe: 1)Portugal : 7.05.05 - 8.05.05 2)Bidart, France : 14.5.05 - 15.5.05 3) Famara, Lanzarote - Canary Islands : 28.5.05 - 29.5.05 4) Bundoran, Northern Ireland :4.6.05 - 5.6.05 5) St Ouens, Jersey : 11.6.05 - 12.6.05 6) Viareggio, Italy : 15.6.05 - 24.7.05 7) St.Gilles Croix De Vie, Vendee, France : 19.6.05 8) Fistral Beach, Cornwall, England : 2.7.05 - 3.7.05 9) Anglet, France : 14.7.05 10) Playa de Liencres - Cantabria, Spain : 22.7.05 - 24.7.05
[Carissa Moore (in yellow) receiving the winner's prize]
[The number of high-rated Australian surf competitions are set to increase]
[Pablo Gutierrez winner of the Superbock Pro]
Hawaiian Carissa Moore won the Roxy Pro Junior surfing in her first ever contest in France
ASP International has announce the inception of their fourth regional branch, ASP Australasia
Twenty-six-year-old Pablo Guitierrez took top honours in the Superbock Pro in Portugal after defeating fellow Portugeuse surfer Eduardo Fernandes in the final
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