Groms Rule the Waves
On International Surfing Day we meet the groms who will one day rule the waves. Wait, scratch that. They’re clearly dominating the lineup already! The junior members of the Sawtell Boardriders Club are fun, fearless…and future world champs.
Most of the young chargers we met started surfing before they started school. Their parents pushed them onto waves or they followed older siblings out into the water. Polly, aged 10, vividly recalls the first wave she stood up on.
“It was at South West Rocks,” she remembers. “I’d been trying for so long and I was so happy when I did it!”
They have nothing but praise for the Sawtell Boardriders Club. Most have been in it for more than half of their young lives.
“I joined when I was 10 or 11,” says 15 year old Jai Jackson. “Most of my mates are in the club and it can get pretty competitive but we still have fun.”
17 year old Ellyse does compete but enjoys the social aspect more. She’s part of a crew of girls who get out in the water almost everyday.
These little locals are loyal to their hometown, claiming Sawtell offers their favourite waves.
Many of them are compete regularly and won’t hesitate to say that they plan to go pro. And I don’t doubt it for a second. Check out the shots below!
Happy International Surfing Day – we hope you find some epic waves today!
Learn more about the history of surfing on the east coast of Oz.