Wollongong’s Sandon Point Boardriders have won the 2017 Beach Burrito Gromtag finishing ahead of Queenscliff for the second year running. Sandon Point posted 98.9 in the one-hour final with Queenscliff finishing on 83.35, North Steyne 75.22 and Long Reef 66.90.

Luke Wrice was Sandon Point’s best with the powerful natural footer scoring 27.87 in the final. Wrice’s team mates, Kyen Stuart (21.73), Ben Duncan (10.9), Jed Ashton (16.57) and Eddy Hamaty (17.83) surfed smart throughout the final with the winning margin 15.56.

Sandon's grom team, from left, Jed Ashton, Ben Duncan, Kyen Stuart, Luke Wrice, and Eddie Hamaty (Photo Bernadette McAlinden, including homepage photo of Eddie Hamaty)

Sandon Point’s Team Manager Parrish Byrne had told the team to concentrate on getting good waves quickly, a tactic that is easier said than done. Wrice’s 27.87 was the highest score in the final with his three waves being made up with a 7.17, 7.43 Powerwave and a 5.83.

“I had a shocking heat before the final and almost blew it for the team so it was good to lock in a few big scores”, Wrice said. “I get really nervous surfing for Sandon, more nervous than a normal comp so it feels good to back it up from last year”.

Queenscliff Boardriders survived some close heats earlier in the day and for the second straight year had to settle with a runner up finish to Sandon Point. Winter Vincent got QBC off to a good start in the final posting 18.64 and when Samson Coulter scored 22.84 midway thru the 60-minute decider QBC had hit the lead. Unfortunately for Queenscliff the lead was short lived with Sandon Point’s Jed Ashton and Eddie Hamaty controlling the back end of the final.

“Second is always good but we wanted to win and it was always going to be hard to finish on top of Sandon with the team they have”, Coulter said. “ These comps are more stressful than individual comps at times but it’s always good to put the rashie on with your mates and rev each other up for a heat”.

North Steyne Boardriders improved on their fourth place finish at last year’s Gromtag finishing third overall. The young North Steyne team showed they will be title contenders for the next few years with four of their five surfers under 16’s.

George Pittar was North Steyne’s best in the final scoring 19.53 and said he didn’t want to let his team mates down in the tricky conditions.

“We all worked really well together as a team in our first heat scoring 5’s and 6’s which is great for tag team”, Pittar said. “If we kept doing that all the way thru it would have been good but it didn’t happen in the final”.

Long Reef Surfing Association were the surprise packet of the event taking down some big name clubs on their way to the final. Kobi Clements was the standout for Long Reef surfing with plenty of aggression in the South Curl Curl peaks.

Cronulla’s Jay Brown won a $100 Beach Burrito Tab for posting the highest Powerwave of the event – 9.33. Brown led Cronulla to a fifth place finish, which is their best result at Gromtag.

2017 Beach Burrito Gromtag Results

• 1st Sandon Point 98.9 $1200
• 2nd Queenscliff 83.35 $700
• 3rd North Steyne 75.22 $600
• 4th Long Reef 66.90 $500
• 5th Cronulla
• 6th Scarborough
• 7th Merewether
• 8th North Avalon
• 9th Avoca
• 10th Curl Curl
• 11th Maroubra
• 12th Elouera Black
• 13th Elouera Red
• 14th Southbridge Shellharbour
• 15th Queenscliff “B”
• 16th Woonona
• 17th Ulladulla
• 18th Dee Why
• 19th Mona Vale
• 20th Werri Beach

For the 2017 Beach Burrito Gromtag photos please visit www.facebook.com/beachburritogromtag

The 2017 Beach Burrito Gromtag is proudly supported by Beach Burrito Company, Swellnet and Covered Magazine.