2023 Skullcandy Oz Grom Open welcomed by locals and businesses at Lennox Head

A Northern Rivers coastal town is welcoming a national surf competition with open arms as it is set to bring the community together and benefit local businesses.

Surfer Leihani Zoric, 10, will be competing at the Skullcandy Oz Grom Open 2023. Picture: Provided by Kirsty Zoric

With tourism looking dire for Lennox Head as the cost of living increases, a national surfing competition will give the town a boost.

The six-day Skullcandy Oz Grom Open will run from July 6 to July 11 where more than 270 grommets are set to compete.

Lennox Head Chamber of Commerce committee member Brad Pollard, an occasional surfer himself, said the businesses of Lennox Head welcome the Oz Grom competition.

“Surfing is a recreational pursuit of a lot of residents and locals in Lennox Head and we are very supportive of surfing events of this nature,” Mr Pollard said.

“Businesses benefit a great deal when visitors come to our town, it’s especially important at this time when visitation rates are very low with the high-interest rate cycle that we have at the moment. Seeing what the juniors get out of the day is the most rewarding as a spectator.”

Picture: Brad Pollard

Lennox Head and Broken Head will be represented on the water with juniors including Harry O’Brien, Juniper Harper and Leihani Zoric flaunting their skills.

O’Brien, 16, will be competing in the under-18s boy’s category and trains at Lennox Head Beach before and after school and on weekends.

Picture: Lennox Head

His father Tony O’Brien said Harry had been competing since he was six years old and his favourite aspect of the competition was making lifelong friends.

“I just hope there are waves and that everyone gets the same opportunities. It’s going to be a fun event,” Mr O’Brien said.

Harper, 16, will be competing in the under-18s girls category and trains at Lennox Point Beach for about eight to ten hours each week.

Her mother Jenna Harper said Juniper enjoys catching up with friends from all over the country during the competition.

Picture: Harry O'Brien

Picture: Juniper Harper

“She’s done this competition ever since she was old enough to do it, she’s done it for the last five years,” Ms Harper said. “It’s an exciting event for the entire community and everyone really loves it.

“The local kids really look forward to coming down and supporting the local kids that surf in it. It’s a cool vibe around Lennox when it’s on.”

Zoric, 10, will be competing in the under-14s girls category and surfs about 10 hours a week everywhere between Broken Head, Lennox Head and Ballina.

Leihani Zoric. Picture: Andrew Sheild

Leihani Zoric. Picture: Wes Thompson

Her mother Kirsty Zoric said Leihani began competing when she was just five years old and received a wildcard which allowed her to enter this competition.

“In her realm of things, she’s got nothing to lose because it’s all learning and experience … it’s just acknowledging each wave she catches for what it is and having fun is the main thing,” Ms Zoric said.

Ms Zoric said she was pleased there would be a home crowd filled with friends and family.

“Leihani is Aboriginal so she likes representing her culture and at events like this, she loves being a leader for other Indigenous kids,” she said.

The Skullcandy Oz Grom Open was founded in 2012 and remains one of the most highly anticipated junior surfing events in Australia.

The competition will include a World Surf League sanctioned Pro Junior Qualifying format and an elite competition for young surfers in the 14, 16 and 18 divisions.

Previous event competitors include current and former surfers from the World Championship Tour such as Molly Picklum, Mikey, Owen and Tyler Wright, Jack Robinson, reigning World Junior Champion Jarvis Earle and local surfers Mikey McDonagh and Nyxie Ryan.