Snapper’s top Groms in the surf

SNAPPER Rocks Surfriders have taken out the Perfect Wave Gromtag Qualifier at Duranbah Beach in clean twofoot peaky conditions.

The junior Snapper Rocks (73.07) team finished strongly to take the inaugural Gromtag title, with Burleigh Heads (61.87) finishing runners-up ahead of the Sunshine Coasts North Shore Boardriders (52.47) and D’Bah (50.30).

Thomas Carvalho (15.50), Kai Tander (16.07), Dexter Muskens (13.33), Jagger Bartholomew (12.30) and Josh Boyle (11.87) had plenty of experience in their corner, with 1978 World Champion Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew coaching the young Snapper Rocks team on the day.

Dexter Muskens, 18, rattled off multiple backhand snaps on his two waves in the fiftyminute final and relished the opportunity to represent Snapper Rocks.

“I really enjoy surfing for Snapper and the Gromtag format is a lot of fun,” he said.

“It’s great the Gromtag Series has expanded and good to see all the different boardriding clubs competing and having a go.

“We are really looking forward to the Australian Championships in Sydney and it would be so awesome to win the title.”

All four teams in the final had their chances to finish on top but it was Snapper’s fourth and fifth surfers Jagger Bartholomew and Josh Boyle who found the better waves and kept the good scores coming through for Snapper Rocks.

LeBa, Windansea, Kingscliff and Palm Beach Boardriders all survived the repechage round at Duranbah but were eliminated in the semi-finals and will be hoping for a reserve spot at the Gromtag Australian Championships.