Tough conditions lead to powerful surfing
By Jim Shilander
Despite rain and high surf, plenty of young surfers made their way to the San Clemente Pier for the annual Groms Rule surf contest.
Organizer Jack Sutter said the conditions, while challenging, were perfect for the event. There was also the expansion of the field, allowing more young women, up to 17 years old, to be a part of the event.
“The kids found it a challenge and just hit it,” Sutter said. “It went quite well. Everyone was really happy.”
The bigger surf was especially perfect for younger surfers who were pushed out by their parents, Sutter said. Although, there was one case where the surf may have been too much of a good thing.
One young surfer, Jett Rocket Prefontaine, got pushed into a six-foot bomb, Sutter said, leading to a wipe out where Jett’s board hit him in the head. He was taken to the hospital for to have the wound closed and then came back to the beach to let people know he was OK. Sutter gave him a special award for the toughness he displayed.
Groms Rule Winners
Boys 10U
1. Dane Matson
2. Ryder Fish
3. Cannon Montoya
4. Azure Trujillo
5. Nate Pierce
6. Kai Cassano
Boys 11-14
1. Hagan Johnson
2. Luca Aza
3. Max Beach
4. Elijah Tomlinson
5. Hayden Millerick
6. Kai Burleson
Girls 12U
1. Alaina Heater
2. Emily Racine
3. Makenna Doan
4. Savannah Batchelor
5. Reese Hartnett
6. Julia Guild
Girls 13-17
1. Bethany Zelasko
2. Alaina Heater
3. Chloe Bedford
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