The recent Taranaki Grom Comp has completed the New Zealand Grom Series with Tao Mouldey (Mnt) and local surfer Natasha Gouldsbury claiming wins in the premier Under 18 Boys and Girls Division.
Wins also went to Tava Santorik (Mnt) and Pia Rogers (WGM) in the Under 16 Divisions and Sev Tolhurst (Piha) and Lola Groube (Pau) in the Under 14 Divisions.
Gouldsbury had five wins this year for a maximum points total on the rankings. Today she finished ahead of Maya Mateja (Rag) in second, Liv Haysom (Piha) in third and Anna Brock (Mnt) in fourth.
Tava Santorik (Mnt) finished his season off with a win in the Under 16 Boys Division, his second victory in three events. The tall young surfer used his leverage to sneak in the best closeout turns of the finalists. His win elevated him to third overall this year behind Tao Mouldey (Mnt) and Jack Tyro (Chch). But today, Santorik’s opponents included first time finalist Zade Pitkethly (Mnt) who finished in second, Theo Morse (Rag) in third and Alexis Owen (Dun) in fourth.
New Zealand teammates Pia Rogers (WGM) and Leia Millar went head-to-head in the Under 16 Girls Division final with Rogers getting the nod this time 6.40 to 6.04. It was a good way to bookend the season for Rogers and her second win of the year after winning the opening competition being the National Championships held at Westport in January. Rogers’ win was not enough to hold off Millar for the overall NZ Grom Series title, a mere 10 points separating the two surfers. Talia De Silva (Whngrei) placed third in the final ahead of first-time finalist Ayla Gee (Rag).
Lola Groube (Pau) claimed the Under 14 Girls Division with a 13.33 point heat total to defeat Poppy Entwisle (Chch). By way of her second placing, Entwisle managed to retain the overall series win by the narrowest of margins. India Kennings (WGM) placed third in the final ahead of Lani Frazerhurst (Rag) in fourth.
