HIGHLIGHTS Day 1 // Groms Shine In Tricky Surf At Skullcandy Oz Grom Open 2024 Pres. by O'Neill

The opening day of the 2024 Skullcandy Oz Grom Open presented by O'Neill got off to a flying start in tricky four-foot surf, with the Under-14 and Under-16 Girls and Boys kicking off the proceedings for the year. The action at Lennox Head is just getting started, and the challenge for competitors to etch their names into the event's history books will only grow tougher with each new round.
Ocean Lancaster (Merewether, NSW) showcased the same skills that propelled him into the quarterfinals of the recent Occy Grom Comp, smashing a handful of right and left-handers to notch up a 9.43 and an 8.93 in his opening Under-16 Boys heat. As a result, the Novocastrian natural-footer left his fellow competitors requiring two-wave combinations equalling 18.37 to take away his lead.
Other Under-16 Boys standouts included Max McGillivray (Evans Head, NSW) and Henry Dowling (Noosa, Qld), who both amassed first-round totals in excess of 14.00.
Eliza Richardson (Noosa, Qld) demonstrated why she was the poster child for emerging Sunshine Coast talent, taking out her opening round one exchange with a giant 16.03 two-wave total. Richardson surfed an exciting battle throughout her first heat with Japanese competitor Kanon Takahashi, ultimately winning due to a series of searing turns that secured her victory, while Kanon progressed in the second spot. Both ladies will make their next appearance in the second round.
In the Under-14 Girls, local competitor Leihani Zoric (Byron Bay, NSW) showcased why she was crowned the recent Occy Grom Comp champion, tackling the tricky surf with a combination of flair and gusto. As a result, Zoric posted a 13.10 two-wave total and claimed the victory.
Day two of the competition (Friday, 5th July) will see the Pro Junior divisions hit the water.
The iconic six-day event will run from 4 July - 9 July 2024 and will comprise of a World Surf League (WSL) sanctioned Pro Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) event as well as an elite competition for promising grommets in the 14, 16, and 18-year age divisions.
In a similar vein to previous years - where the event has attracted surfers from ten different countries - a full international field is again expected in 2024 with surfers coming from as far away as Europe, the USA, Hawaii, Indonesia, and Japan to make up a field of more than 180 surfers across all divisions.
Former event competitors include a range of current and former World Championship Tour and Challenger Series surfers, such as Macy Callaghan, Molly Picklum, Mikey, Owen and Tyler Wright, Jack Robinson, and local surfers Ocea Curtis and Nyxie Ryan.
Copy provided by Ethan Smith.
Watch the best moments from Day 1 of the Skullcandy Oz Grom Open presented by O'Neill. Video Produced and Directed by Value Imagery. Marketing and Distribution by Always Keen Productions.
All event divisions will be broadcast live worldwide on skullcandyozgromopen.com.au.
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