Gabe’s Grom Comp Attracts Lil’ Pieces Of St. Auggie Lint By Zander Morton; Photos by Ryan Riopko/ Podium Distribution
TURF: Gabe’s Grom Comp; 10th Street, St. Augustine Beach, FL; August 15th, 2009.
ENERGY: The gutless two-footers rolling in weren’t much to get excited about, but someone forgot to tell that to the 56 frothing grommies lining the beach on 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning. “I honestly expected 15-20 kids to show for this thing, and we have 56!” Gabe yelled when I arrived on the scene —simultaneously trying to figure out how to sign kids up for heats and sign his own autograph. “Guess I better send someone to Publix to buy more hotdogs!”
FIRST TIME AT FIGHT
CLUB: This being the first event of its kind, everyone was a newcomer. Gabe has been in injury rehab for over four months now, and he decided a few weeks ago that he wanted to do a free event to give back to the kids in the community during his time home away from the ASP World Tour. Matix, DVS, and all of Kling’s other sponsors were quick to back the Grom Comp, donating so much schwag that not a single contestant left the beach empty-handed. Even the last-place prize packs were stuffed.
SLIDE: The event was originally slated to have only two divisions, but Gabe split it into three when over 30 kids under the age of nine showed up. Not to take anything away from the older kids — especially Dylan Martini and Jon Heater, who finished 1st and 2nd, respectively, in the 12-15 age bracket and were absolutely ripping the small surf — but the little guys and girls really stole show.
Those young’ns are the future of our sport, and it was amazing to see an influx of Menehune right here in North Florida. Chris Ropero, a “manny” slash mentor to two young groms by the name of Eric and Chase Westbrook, coached both his little guys to finals appearances in their first-ever surf contest. “They’re never going to forget this day,” Chris told Gabe when it was all over. “Chase had to surf through three rounds and a final, and was about as stoked as anybody in the world!” On top of that, when Gabe told Chase in passing that he was doing some “really good surfing out there,” Chase’s face lit up like it was Christmas morning. It might have been a small gesture, but Chase is hooked, and you can guarantee he’ll be one of Gabe’s biggest fans for life.
THE PAIN: Nobody. I know what you’re thinking: somebody had to lose, right? At this event, you’d be hard pressed to find a single loser. As if the goodie bags weren’t enough, Gabe signed 100+ Matix posters and personally invited all the kids to the premiere of Spectacular Adventures at The Surf Station later that night to see his starring role right beside him. For a starstruck kid, it doesn’t get any better than to hang with your hero all day.
THE MAN: Gabe takes the cake on this one. As the only East Coast WCT surfer to throw his own event in 2009, he did a great job of making these kids’ year. Of course, it couldn’t have happened without the help from guys like ESA Southeast Director Burgess Autrey, Richie Van Kirk, David Wilson, Robin “Jiggly” Arnold, Tory Strange, Gabe’s manager Greg Renfroe, and all the other dudes that helped judge the contest.
YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT
FIGHT CLUB: “Is that the girl who got her arm bit off by a shark?” –An unnamed 12-year-old competitor, when asked if he knew who Kelly Slater was
“But I caught 10 waves! How come I only got two points?” –A hilarious five-year-old who, after his Round One loss, didn’t realize quality counts more than quantity on the judging sheet
FINAL RESULTS OF GABE’S GROM COMP
13-15
1. Dylan Martini
2. Jon Heater
3. Cannon Embry
4. Griffin Coughlin
5. Casey Priest
6. Ryan Brombergh
10-12
1. Patrick Conklin
2. Tatum Renfroe
3. Si Greamstead
4. Eric Westbrook
5. Elena Sporans
6. Chase Stevens
Sweetwater Leaves It Up To The Grom At Oakley Surf Shop Challenge Mid-Atlantic Regional Qualifier; “Uncle” Andrew Gesler Drives Heritage Win Home In Northeast
By Matt Pruett and Nick McGregor;
Photos by Matt Lusk
