When the conditions get wild, Shoes riders get moving

Not even wild and woolley conditions could get in the way of go-for-it surfing from Shoes members as they ushered in the first event of the season.

The howling south east winds and choppy swell were no match for the daring, persistence and acumen of competitors in the Junior and Super Groms showdowns.

The riding was spectacular – and bodes well for a thrilling, take no prisoners attitude to the 2013 championships.

The Alley was pouring on the rough overhead peaks, but all competitors took the trying conditions in their stride.

The Groms proved to be a titanic struggle for supremacy between former champ Dion Earle and fellow blond bombshell Lachlan Hickey – but not before Riley Lee, Sam Lee and Dane Coady put their stamp on proceedings to make for a hard-to-pick finish.

Lachlan just pipped Dion in the wash-up, with Sam a third, Dane a fourth, Riley a fifth and 11 year old newcomer Jarvis Earle turning in a brave performance to gain sixth. Lachlan took home a voucher from Puresea Surf Shop and yoga lessons from Hot Yogi. Jarvis’s gutsy effort earned him a 50 years of Australian Surfing 50 cent commemorative coin.

The Junior battle was no less eye-catching with former Groms Xavier Izzard and Shannon Hatheier spearheading some feverish surfing to put the wind up more experienced rivals in Logan Weir and Nathan Hatheier, as well as exciting new members Ryan and Brad.

Logan got the nod from the judges in a very close call from Brad and Izzy, followed by Nathan, Ryan and Shannon. Logan picked up a Puresea Surf Shop voucher and yoga lessons from Hot Yogi.

The Open pointscore is scheduled for 16-17 March.

Surfers should download the membership form, fill it out and present to Sid Cassidy at the event site, along with fees for 2013.