Kewalos provides it all for stop 2 on the 2017 Rip Curl GromSearch Tour

Images: Ripcurl GromSearch

Sage Tutterow: slicing back into a 14/U win. Photo: Tyler Rock Ripcurl GromSearch

The second of four regional qualifying stops of the 2017 Rip Curl GromSearch presented by Banzai Bowls visited the beautiful shoreline of Kewalo Basin, Oahu, over the past weekend 7/8-9. Kewalos, along with Ala Moana is the hub of premiere surfing in Hawaii. Kewalos’ has a respectful A-frame peak which provided consistent 2-3 foot surf (head high) for the Nation’s top groms.

Image: Ripcurl GromSearch

Kewalo’s is thee spot for such a grom event — it’s mostly lefts but dependable catching any swell. There’s plenty sections to showcase one’s strengths(or weaknesses). This past weekend it was mostly ‘strength’, at stop #2 of 4 regional qualifying comps of the 2017 Rip Curl GromSearch series.

The field was large & in charge as 88 contestants entered but only four took top honors. Each took home $250 cash, bragging rights, and a plenty epic prizes. All four finalists in each of the four age divisions also earned the coveted invitation to compete in the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final. This is set for later this year at Steamer Lane October 6-7.

Image: Ripcurl GromSearch

The National champions in the 16/u division will then earn their right to compete in the RCGS International Final somewhere on The Search in the Spring of 2018.

Results:

Boys 16/Under
1. Taro Watanabe, Malibu, CA ($250)
2. Cole Frye, Kauai, HI
3. Cole Alves, Maui, HI
4. Caleb Crozier, Encinitas, CA

Girls 16/Under
1. Keala Tomoda-Bannert, Kaui, HI ($250)
2. Bettylou Sakura Johnson, Oahu, HI
3. Summer Ivy, Oahu, HI
4. Leila Riccobuano, Oahu, HI

Boys 14/Under
1. Sage Tutterow, Kaui, HI ($250)
2. Robert Grilho III, Oahu, HI
3. Tony Nunez, Maui, HI
4. Taro Watanabe, Malibu, CA

Boys 12/Under
1. Kai Martin, Oahu, HI ($250)
2. Shion Crawford, Oahu, HI
3. Luke Swanson, Oahu, HI
4. Makana Franzmann, Oahu, HI

Banzai Bowls Maneuver of the Event:
Cole Alves, Maui, HI ($300)

…LOST Surfboards High Heat Total:
Robert Grilho III, Oahu, HI – 18.17 points

About the GromSearch:
Since Rip Curl developed the concept for the GromSearch events in 1999, the series has spread throughout the surfing world and now culminates with an International final held at a different location each year. The worldwide series is held for male and female surfers aged 16 years and under, commonly referred to as “groms”, with the aim of the GromSearch is to nurture and recruit the next generation of surfers at a grassroots level.

Former GromSearch champions include current WSL World Tour stars; Gabriel Medina, Owen Wright, Jordy Smith, Matt Wilkinson, Nat Young, Kolohe Andino, Tyler Wright, Stephanie Gilmore and Sally Fitzgibbons.