History

The Skullcandy Oz grom open is one of the most highly anticipated Junior surfing events in Australia. The event was founded in 2012 by LE-BA Boardriders who had an objective for an event which offered an exciting and innovative contest of the highest standards that had never been seen before in junior surfing. This will be its 8th year.

The SkullCandy OZ Grom Open provides a new criteria that has been developed exclusively for the event by Pritamo Ahrendt, current Australian Surfing Professional Head Judge This criteria has not been used in any junior surfing event in the world. Based off the current WCT format, surfers get a second chance through the repercharge round.

The Judging panel is comprised of current ASP WCT & WQS judges with a revolutionary new computerised scoring and reporting system. The event also offers the highest level of infrastructure ever seen in Junior surfing with a two level scaffold tower and a competitors deck. Food / Music / Heat preparation are all provided.

Lennox Head, which is famous for its world class point break also offers exceptional beach breaks. The best Groms and Juniors in Australia and beyond come to this sleepy town in July to put on a world-class show of high-performance surfing.The event regularly now sees the live webcast going to well over 14 countries.

All the dramatic action will now be captured through the live webcast via the competition website, giving fans an action packed view of the competition.

I am thrilled that SkullCandy & LEBA Boardriders can offer what I feel is the most professional Grom contest to date. There was definitely a shortage of junior events in Australia at the time & we wanted to offer something unique to our future stars of the sport and also give something back to the local community with an event that has longevity. ” LE-BA President Jonathon Hewett.

In 2018 with the assistance of the WSL we introduced a new boys and girls sanctioned Pro Junior. The event now has boys and girls divisions from 12yrs to 18yrs.

David Chegwyn from Skullcandy stated: “I’m thrilled we are going into our 7th year of the event. The Le-Ba Boardriders guys have done an amazing job turning the event into a platform where grommets can now surf all the way through to the new WSL JQS division and it’s great to see a sponsor like Vissla come on board and have the same passion about grassroots surfing as we do.”

Mayor of Ballina Shire Council David Wright added: “I am a very proud supporter of this major event and it is fitting that the new JQS division has been incorporated into the program. The quality of the competitors, the setting, the officials and the live stream footage presents the region with a fantastic competition for young surfers from around Australia and overseas.”

We welcome all competitors and their families to Lennox Head and trust you will enjoy our premium junior surfing event.