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The best junior surfers from around Australia will compete at the Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp

Australia hasn’t boasted a world surfing champion since Stephanie Gilmore’s success in 2018. Meet the country’s top junior surfers who could change all that.

AUSTRALIA’S best young surfers will descend on the Gold Coast this weekend for the 2022 Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp.

Almost 200 board riders will compete in male and female categories from under-12s to 16s from Saturday.

“It’s incredible the event is already in its 17th year, it’s quite unbelievable actually,” said 1999 world champion Mark Occhilupo.

“I’m proud of where the event is at today. The standard of surfing is so high and it’s a great honour to have groms from all over the world enter the event with such determination to win it.

“D’bah always seems to produce decent waves for the competitors so fingers crossed this year is no exception with four days of quality waves and even better surfing.”

Queensland’s Under-16 State Junior Champion, Rico Haybittle, said he’s fired up and ready to compete

“I’m looking forward to surfing against some of the county’s best surfers at D’bah,” Haybittle said.

So who are the brightest young surfers on show who could become our next world champions? We reveal the top tanked surfers in each division going into this weekend’s competition.

SURFERS TO WATCH:

U12 girls – Evie Wilson, 10, QLD – Noosa Boardriders

Junior Noosa Boardrider Evie Wilson. Picture: Shane Myers.
Junior Noosa Boardrider Evie Wilson. Picture: Shane Myers.

U12 boys – Zac Johnston, 11, QLD – WindanSea Boardriders

Junior Windansea Boardrider Zac Johnston. Picture: Shane Myers
Junior Windansea Boardrider Zac Johnston. Picture: Shane Myers

U14 girls – Eliza Richardson, 12, QLD, Noosa Boardriders

Junior Noosa Boardrider Eliza Richardson. Picture: Shane Myers.
Junior Noosa Boardrider Eliza Richardson. Picture: Shane Myers.

U14 boys – Hunter Andersson, 12, QLD, WindanSea Boardriders

Junior Windansea Boardrider Hunter Andersson. Picture: Shane Myers.
Junior Windansea Boardrider Hunter Andersson. Picture: Shane Myers.

U16 girls – Jordy Halford, 15, QLD, Snapper Rocks Boardriders

Junior Snapper Rocks Boardrider Jordy Halford. Picture: Shane Myers.
Junior Snapper Rocks Boardrider Jordy Halford. Picture: Shane Myers.

U16 boys – Rico Haybittle, 15, QLD, Burleigh Boardriders

Junior Burleigh Boardriders surfers Rico Haybittle. Picture: Shane Myers.
Junior Burleigh Boardriders surfers Rico Haybittle. Picture: Shane Myers.

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/surf-sports/the-best-junior-surfers-from-around-australia-will-compete-at-the-billabong-occys-grom-comp/news-story/4bf18c8df907908f8d225e7f265ebfc9