Surfers Ty Richardson, Jay Occhilupo advance to next round on Gold Coast
Difficult conditions didn’t stop Gold Coast super-grom Ty Richardson from edging out the competition during the latest round of the Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp.
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DIFFICULT conditions didn’t stop Gold Coast super-grom Ty Richardson from edging out the competition during the latest round of the Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp.
Despite powerful swell with 1.2m waves at Duranbah Beach, Ty surfed above his age in the 16 and under group, as well as the 14 and unders, winning his heat with a combined total of 13.24 out of 20.
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The 13-year-old edged out Tane Dobby and Kurt Morrow from Palm Beach, as well as Jai Glindeman from Lennox Head.
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“It definitely feels like a step-up in the 16 and under division,” Ty said.
“It’s a really good experience. All of the surfers are good in this event, so you just need to get on the right waves. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the event.”
Jay Occhilupo, the son of legendary surfer Mark ‘Occy’ Occhilupo, competed in the 16 and under group.
Occhilupo Junior progressed to the second round after scoring 6.83 out of 20.
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Reigning International Surfing Association under 16 boys world champion Grayson Heinrichs also made it through.
“The waves have been a bit slow today, but there were still some good ones out there,” said Jay.
“It’s meant to get better during the week, and the bank’s been pretty nice so I’m excited to surf some good waves.
“I’m pretty fired up to win some heats, it’s my last year surfing the comp so I’d love to win it.”
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