The Quiksilver King Of The Groms,an international circuit dedicated to surfers aged 16 and under, starts around the world. The King Of The Groms, a well established contest run by Quiksilver will travel over many continents in order to select the best 18 young surfers for the International Final, run during the Quiksilver Pro France 4-13 October.
In total, 20 countries will run at least one event of the circuit in The King Of The Groms Series. In Europe the circuit has been enlarged to include Morocco and Israel. In total 20 dates have been lined up, notably in Ireland, Wales, England, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Canary Islands, Benelux and France.
For the first time, the European Final of The King Of The Groms will be held in Newquay, England from the 25-26th August, just before the Quiksilver Pro Junior UK 4-Star ASP event. This world Tour is destined to yet again highlight the champions of tomorrow, a fact proven by the past winners such as Jeremy Flores (ISA World Champion, ASP World Tour and winner of the Pipe Masters 2010), the Basque star Aritz Aranburu (elite level Top 44 ASP surfer), Maxime Huscenot (Asp Junior World Champion 2009) and most recently Gabriel Medina and Matt Banting.
Following Aritz Aranburu last year, the double World Champion Tom Carroll will be the ambassador for this new edition of the King Of The Groms. The Australian surfing icon will be present for the two finals, both the European and International. European King Of The Groms Circuit:
France
La Torche – 25/26 June
Capbreton – 23/24 July
UK
Freshwater, Wales – 11/12 June
Croyde, Devon – 23/24 July
Ireland – 25/26 June** Italy **
Bagno Genova - Viareggio - 11 June/11 July
** Spain**
Sopelana (Basque Country) – 09/10 July
Somo (Cantabria) – 16/17 July
*Portugal *
Aveiro – 09/10 July
** Morocco **
Tahiti Beach / Casablanca –28/29 May
** Canary Islands **
Fuerteventura – 14/15 May
Gran Canaria – 28/29 May
Tenerife – Playa de Las Americas – 11/12 June
** French Antilles**
Guadeloupe – 7/8 May
Martinique – 14/15 May
Saint Martin (Final) – 04/05 June
*Israel *
Herzliya – Dates TBC June/July
** Benelux**
Bredenne – 03/06 August
Outside Europe, the King of the Groms selects surfers from the International finals held across the Southern Hemisphere including Australia and New Zealand. The next events running this spring include South Africa, North and South America. In total 14 International surfers (outside of Europe) will be selected for the International Final in October.
International King of the Groms Circuit:
South Africa:
North Beach Durban – 22/24 April
Australia:
Snapper Rock - Gold Coast – 25 Feb
New Zealand:
Wainui Beach – Gisborne – 19/20 March
South America:
Mazaltan, Mexico – 1/5 Jun
Brazil:
Rio de Janeiro - 18/19 Jun
Lieu TBC - 23/24 July
USA:
Huntington Beach – 21 June
Tahiti:
Invites (1 athlete)
Japan:
TBC
Indonesia:
Half Way Kuta – Bali – 2/3 June
Reunion Island:
Winner of the Marmaille Eco Tour – 11 June
The Format of the King of the Groms
European Final in Newquay, England 25-26th Aug 32 surfers qualify. Top 2 surfers qualify for the International final. International Final to be held during the Quiksilver Pro France, 4-13 October 18 surfers invited (2 from the European Final and 14 from the International Circuit plus 2 wildcards)
Past Winners of The Quiksilver King Of The Groms
Matt Banting (Aus) – King of The Groms 2010 Since his victory last October, the young Australian made it to the 3rd Round of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast 2011, surfing
against Kelly Slater. Gabriel Medina (Bra) – King of the Groms 2009 (with a total point score 20/20 in the final.)
Since the Brazilian prodigy has taken 3rd place in the ASP World Junior Championships in Narrabeen (U20yrs) and won the ISA World Championship in New Zealand (with a score of 19.9/20 in the final) in January 2010.
Maxime Huscenot (Reu) – King of the Groms 2008 Since, Maxime Huscenot has won the sacred ASP World Junior Championships in Narrabeen Australia in January 2010 at the
age of 17 (The age limit is under 20).
Tamaroa Mc Comb (Tah)– King of the Groms 2007 Since, Tamaroa Mc Comb became the ISA World Champion in 2009 (U16 years).
Dean Bowen (Aus) - King of the Groms 2006 Since, Dean Bowen became ISA World Champion in 2009 (U18 years).
