With just under 60 kids making their way to Natadola beach on Saturday the 18^th of October to take part in the first Fiji Surfing Association’s Grom Search Surfing Compeition. The FSA Grom Search surfing competition has been developed to further the skills and knowledge of the youth surfers within Fiji and expose them to the world of competitive surfing. Those who took part in the weekend’s competition came from various locations including Nadi, Coral Coast and Suva with the majority of the competitors being involved with the FSA’s Fiji Nippers program.

There were a number of young local surfers showing off their skills and ability to read the wave whilst showing just how vertical they could take their surf crafts. There were only small knee high waves on the left hander in front of the Intercontinental Resort but the kids where ripping. The Fiji Surfing Associations President Isei Tokovou commenting that “it is great to see that development programs like Fiji Nippers are playing a major part in the development of the sport of surfing in Fiji.”

Isei took on the role of Head Judge and give the kids an opportunity to sit down alongside him and learn just how important and vital it is to have good judging habits. Isei being a 2x Fijian Wildcard winner to compete in the ASP Fiji tour event understands better then most just how important it is to have good habits when judging and for the kids to be able to learn of the best is a huge development opportunity for them.

Competition Director, Andy Eames commenting “these kids are the future of surfing within Fiji and I wouldn’t be surprised if in a couple of years you will be seeing one of these young kids surfing as our local Fijian Wildcard in both the Male and Female events ASP Fiji event. The natural talent is just purely amazing and these kids under the right guidance of people such as Isei Tokovou (FSA- President), Godfrey Eaton (Nadi Nippers- Head Coach and Chief Training officer), Uri Kurop (Fiji Nippers – Nadi), Samantha Sunderman (Fiji Nipper- Suva), and Semi Poe Takesa (FSA- Coral Coast) these kids will just continue to shine and continue to develop their skills over the years to come.”

The Fiji Surfing Association would like to say a huge congregation to all those to took part in the 1^st annual FSA Grom Search and a Huge thank you to all the parents and helpers who helped out with the all organizing such an amazing day.

Under 18’s Advanced Category WINNERS

1^ST Jarvis Beitzel – Nadi

2^nd Kahn Beitzel – Nadi

3^rd Narvi Rokete – Nadi

Junior Development Category WINNERS

Biggest Wave: Seni Vunivola – SanaSana

Longest Wave: Naqura – SanaSana

Biggest Wipeout: Solomoni Tokovou – Momi