The Rip Curl Grom Search National Final heated up in punchy two-to-three foot peaks at Woonona Beach today (Wednesday) as competitors fought to earn a position into the final day of competition.
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Locals Keira Buckpitt (Culburra Beach) and Koby Jackson (Lake Tabourie) took part.
Marlon Harrison (Coolangatta, Qld) rampaged his way through his 16-Boys quarter and semi-final, drawing out beautiful snaps and carves on his way to locking himself into a final finish.
The Gold Coast natural footer finished his semi-final with a 16.17 two-wave heat total, while Mike Clayton-Brown (Port Stephens, NSW) took out the opposing semi-final with a 12.93 two-wave heat total.
Both surfers will meet in the final tomorrow.
Ellie Harrison (Barwon Heads, Vic) and Milli Allport (Long Jetty, NSW) both put on commanding performances over the duration of their respective 16 girls semi-finals to lock themselves spots into the final.
Both surfers found a handful of playful corners over the course of their heats to post semi-final heat totals in excess of 10.40 points.
Braxon Holmstrom (Buddina, Qld) caused one of the biggest upsets of the national final, toppling perennial event standout Winter Vincent (Manly) in the 14-boys semi-final.
The Sunshine Coast natural-footer put on a stellar display of lightning-fast backhand surfing in the heat to finish with a solid 14.97 two-wave heat total.
Holmstrom will face Dom Thomas (Swansea Heads, NSW) in tomorrow's (Thursday's) final.
Quincy Symonds (Tweed Heads, NSW) and Ruby Trew (Seaforth, NSW) showed they would be the girls to beat as they put on commanding performances over the course of their 12 Girls quarterfinals.
Both surfers claimed their respective spots with heat totals in excess of 13.00 and as a result earned their position into the semi-finals which will be contested tomorrow.
The Rip Curl GromSearch National Final will see all finalists crowned tomorrow (Thursday).
