A STRONG field of Far North Coast surfers will be out to claim the top prize in the Skullcandy Oz Grom Open at Lennox Head.
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It is highlighted by a World Surf League sanctioned Pro Junior Qualifying Series event as well as an elite competition for promising grommets from the under-14 to under-18 age divisions.
Leihani Kaloha Zoric was among the local contingent who competed on the first day of the competition on Thursday.
She competes in the under-14 girls division, winning her heat to advance straight to the quarter-finals.
Leihani has plenty of momentum coming into the event, having won her division at the Gold Coast Occy Grom on July 2.
Her opening round at the Oz Grom was impressive with a 13.10 (out of a possible 20) two-wave score which was five points clear of her closest rival.
A number of kids from the Lennox-Ballina Boardriders are surfing in the Oz Grom Open.
Keenan Crisp, Harry O'Brien, Jack O'Brien, Rino Lindsay and Max McGillivray surfed in the pro junior division on Friday.
Max won the under-14 boys division two years ago and won his opening round heat in the under-16s.
Defending champion Marlon Harrison made it through the first round of the pro junior division and will be hard to beat.
"I'm so pumped for this event," Harrison said.
"I think some super exciting surfing will take place and I really hope I can string it together and get another win under my belt and go back-to-back."
Lennox Head surfers Mia Baker, Ocea Curtis and Juniper Harper were in the pro junior girl's division.
It had 32 of the best female surfers from the junior ranks with Curtis recently representing the Australian team.
There has been a number of international surfers at the event this year with a group of boys and girls from Indonesia.
Some of the best surfers from Hawaii, Japan and across Europe have performed well since the Oz Grom started a decade ago.
Standout surfers from the opening few days include Miller May-Berg Lani Caincross, Henry Dowling, Rosie Gillett Ocean Lancaster, Luca Martin, Eliza Richardson and Charlotte Reilly.
The surfing will ramp up over the weekend with champions to be crowned on Tuesday.
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Mitchell Craig
Australian Community Media journalist with over 15 years' experience in providing quality news and sport stories. For story ideas and news tips contact me on mitchell.craig@lismorecitynews.com.au
Australian Community Media journalist with over 15 years' experience in providing quality news and sport stories. For story ideas and news tips contact me on mitchell.craig@lismorecitynews.com.au
