Wollongong’s Sandon Point Boardriders went back to back winning the 2017 Beach Burrito Gromtag for the second year running at South Curl Curl Beach.
Sandon Point posted 98.9 in the one-hour final with Queenscliff finishing on 83.35, North Steyne 75.22 and Long Reef 66.90.
Cronulla Boardriders surfer Jay Brown won a $100 Beach Burrito tab for posting the highest Powerwave of the event – a 9.33. Brown was hot off his Australian 19 boys All-Stars victory and led the five-man Cronulla team to a fighting fifth-placed finish, their best result at Gromtag and one spot out of the money.
Luke Wrice was Sandon Point’s best with the powerful natural footer scoring 27.87 in the final. Wrice’s team mates Kyen Stuart (21.73), Ben Duncan (10.9), Jed Ashton (16.57) and Eddy Hamaty (17.83) surfed smart throughout the final with the winning margin 15.56.
Sandon Point’s team manager Parrish Byrne had told the team to concentrate on getting good waves quickly, a tactic that is easier said than done. Wrice’s 27.87 was the highest score in the final with his three waves being made up with a 7.17, 7.43 Powerwave and a 5.83.
“I had a shocking heat before the final and almost blew it for the team so it was good to lock in a few big scores”, Wrice said.
“I get really nervous surfing for Sandon, more nervous than a normal comp so it feels good to back it up from last year.”
Queenscliff Boardriders survived some close heats earlier in the day and for the second straight year had to settle with a runner-up finish to Sandon Point. Winter Vincent got QBC off to a good start in the final posting 18.64 and when Samson Coulter scored 22.84 midway through the 60-minute decider QBC had hit the lead. Unfortunately for Queenscliff the lead was short lived with Sandon Point’s Jed Ashton and Eddie Hamaty controlling the back end of the final.
North Steyne Boardriders improved on their fourth-placed finish at last year’s Gromtag finishing third overall. The young North Steyne team showed they will be title contenders for the next few years with four of their five surfers under-16s.
Long Reef Surfing Association were the surprise packet of the event taking down some big name clubs on their way to the final. Kobi Clements was the standout for Long Reef surfing with plenty of aggression in the South Curl Curl peaks.
Past event winners Elouera Boardriders Club entered two teams but the tactic backfired when both did not progress past the quarters finishing 12th and 13th.
2017 Beach Burrito Gromtag Results
1st – Sandon Point 98.9 $1200
2nd – Queenscliff 83.35 $700
3rd – North Steyne 75.22 $600
4th – Long Reef 66.90 $500
5th – Cronulla
6th – Scarborough
7th – Merewether
8th – North Avalon
9th – Avoca
10th – Curl Curl
11th – Maroubra
12th – Elouera Black
13th – Elouera Red
14th – Southbridge Shellharbour
15th – Queenscliff “B”
16th – Woonona
17th – Ulladulla
18th – Dee Why
19th – Mona Vale
20th – Werri Beach