SANDI SLAMET WINS CROWN IN QUIKSILVER KING OF THE GROMS FINAL AT KUTA BEACH BALI

12 July 2009, Kuta-Bali : 16 year old Sandi Slamet from Cimaja-West Java won Quiksilver's King of the Groms 2009 yesterday at Halfways-Kuta Beach, battling it out in a riveting 30 minute final against 12 year old Jeren from Canggu and coming back to the beach the ecstatic winner of the Crown and an all expense paid trip to Hossegor France to compete in the Quiksilver World King of the Groms Final in September.

"I can't believe I get to go to France", he gushed with water still running down his face. "Thanks so much to Quiksilver and to all my friends who have supported me. This is the biggest thing that has ever happened in my life!" he added.

He was carried up to the beachside podium by friends including 2008 Indonesian Surfing Champion Dede Suryana, whose hometown is also Cimaja. "It's a great day for Sandi and great for Cimaja, as this is the first time one of our groms has won a big event like this. We are so proud of Sandi!" said Suryana.

Later that evening at the Harris Resort Hotel on Kuta Beach, Sandi was called up on stage by MC Tipi Jabrik to receive his official crown and winners check to the cheers of the crowd, who had been treated to food, drinks courtesy of Coca-Cola, a fashion show, and ton's of giveaways from Quiksilver including boardshorts, sunglasses, backpacks, stickers, and more.

On the stage, Quiksilver Sport Marketing Manager Jake Paterson congratulated Sandi on his surfing saying, "From what I saw out there today and throughout the last four days of competition, the future of Indonesian surfing is in very good hands." He then asked the crowd to give a big hand to runner-up Jeren, telling them, "This kid is only 12 years old but surfed like a champion, getting first place in every one of his heats starting from Round 1, even besting last year's King of the Groms winner Putu Anggara. He will have many wins in his future, I'm sure of it."

Young Jeren then had his turn at the microphone, graciously congratulating Sandi on his win as well as thanking his sponsors and supporters, after which he was treated to a standing ovation by the crowd.

The final day of surfing at the Quiksilver King of the Groms 2009 was the culmination of the previous three days of competition where over 100 young surfers aged 16 and under from various islands in Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Australia descended upon Kuta Beach to compete for the coveted King of the Groms Crown, which would get them a trip to France to compete with the other winners of the National Finals for the title of the World King of the Groms.

Surfing conditions varied each day, thus presenting great opportunities and also great challenges for every ability level. Wave height went from 3-4 foot on the opening day down to 1-2 foot on the third day, before bringing in some solid 4-5 foot sets for the final day. Overall it was a perfect conditions and a perfect location for the young surfers whose ages ranged from as young as 11 up to the age limit of 16.

The Quiksilver King of the Groms is a Grade 2 Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Championship Tour Junior Division sanctioned event, presented by Coke Zero and Sprite Zero. The eligible contestants will receive ISC Junior Division Championship points, and the junior surfer 16 years old and below with the most points at the end of the year will become the 2009 ISC Junior Champion.

Thanks to Quiksilver SEA for putting on the event, for Coca-Cola Bottling Indonesia for refreshments and beach cleaning, the Harris Resort Hotel and The Haven for accommodations, Aroma Meats and Bapak Bakery for the beachside meals, SurfTime, Trax, Cosmo Girl, Men's Fitness, Spice, Gadis, Seventeen and Cita Cinta for media coverage and support and GUS for environmental awareness.

Quiksilver King of the Groms 2009 Final Results

1. Sandi Slamet (Cimaja, West Java)
2. Jeren (Canggu, Bali)
3. Koko Mitsuantara (Nusa Dua, Bali)
3. Agus Sumertayasa (Pecatu, Bali)



Text and photos : Tim Hain – Coca-Cola ISC Tour

Thanks,


Eka I. Rochmansyah
Media Coordinator ISC





Photo 1 : Agus S Action


















Photo 2 : Beach Podium


















Photo 3 : Crowning


















Photo 4 : Fashion Show


















Photo 5 : Groms Giveaways


















Photo 6 : Groms Celebrating


















Photo 7 : Jeren Action


















Photo 8 : KOG Podium


















Photo 9 : Koko Action

MIXED BAG NAB QUARTERFINAL BERTHS ON DAY 3 OF QUIKSILVER KING OF THE GROMS AT KUTA BEACH

11 July 2009, Kuta-Bali : Day 3 of the Quiksilver King of the Grom at Kuta Beach saw a mixed bag of top, middle and low seeded groms gaining quarterfinal berths for tomorrows final day of competition after battling it out in Rounds 3 and 4.

The surfing conditions were more challenging today with smaller and less consistent surf than the previous two days. Several heats saw very few waves coming through while others had one or two competitors getting close to their 10-wave limit. However it was still very contestable and proved to be a great test for the young grom's ability to make the most out of each opportunity.

Last year's winner and #2 seeded Putu Anggara erased any doubt that he really liked France and is serious about making another trip. Perhaps he met a girl there or liked the food? When asked he just smiled and said, "Both!" His surfing showed great style and very smooth transitions between critical maneuvers in both his heats and so he easily advanced.

#3 Seeded Agus Sumertayasa also had little trouble downing his competitors in both rounds and will be matched up tomorrow against #6 seeded Damyen Amar.

Middle-seeded Koko Mitsuantara ripped through both his Round 3 and his man-on-man Round 4 heats, very impressive on his forehand and backhand after having grown about a foot in the last few months! He will take on #50 seeded Dede Aridin tomorrrow.

#40 seeded 12-year-old Jeren was on fire again today with his two heat wins, picking off some of the longest waves and surfing them all the way into the sand. He will be up against Putu Anggara in tomorrows Quarterfinal 4, so he will no doubt be up all night studying videos of Putu's surfing!

Azor Joseph Laudes (Philippines) was the only non-Indonesian to make it into Round 4, but his run for the crown was cut short when took a wave out of turn so gained no points, his inexperience with priority in man-on-man competition perhaps to blame. He needed only a 2-point wave to gain the lead, but the ocean went flat during the last 5 minutes, leaving him scrambling for any surfable lump but with no success.

So everything is set up for an exciting final day of action at Kuta Beach, with 8 talented young Indonesian surfers all battling it out for the King of the Groms crown on Kuta Beach. The swell is forecasted to be increasing during the night to significantly bigger conditions, possibly up to 5-6 feet, so it will be great for the spectators and surfers alike.

The action should be kicking off at around 9 am. See attached heat draw for tomorrow's Quarterfinal matchups.

The Quiksilver King of the Groms is a Grade 2 Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Championship Tour Junior Division sanctioned event, presented by Coke Zero and Sprite Zero, and sponsored-supported by The Haven, Harris Hotels, Aroma, Bapak Bakery, GUS, SurfTime, Trax, Cosmo Girl, Men's Fitness, Spice, Gadis, Seventeen and Cinta-Cinta.

Photos and text : Tim Hain – Coca-Cola ISC Tour

Thanks,


Eka I. Rochmansyah
Media Coordinator ISC

GROM’S TEAR IT UP ON DAY 2 OF QUIKSILVER KING OF THE GROMS AT KUTA BEACH

10 July 2009, Kuta-Bali : The level of surfing measurably increased on Day 2 at the Quiksilver King of the Groms today at Kuta Beach during Rounds 1 and 2, due to the presence of seeded groms now competing as well as the slight drop in wave size that created much cleaner conditions for the day's surfing.

The 2-3 foot waves were lined up much better, so the more proficient groms were finding longer and steeper walls to race down before taking deep bottom turns and lining up to blast a big hack or try to punt an air. There were still some 4-foot closeouts to dodge, but overall the conditions were very close to perfect for the 16 and under grommets.

Continuing their high level of performance from yesterday's Trial heats were the dynamic duo from the Philippines, Paul John Alipayo and Azor Joseph Laudes, who both won their Round 1 and Round 2 heats after advancing from the Trials yesterday. Paul John nabbed one of the biggest set waves of the day in his Round 2 heat and took it apart all the way into the beach, impressing the judges so much that they gave him a 7.5, the highest single wave score of the day.

Young Matt Lindsay from Australia also narrowly nabbed a Round 3 berth after making it through the trials yesterday, getting a buzzer beating 6.8 score in the final seconds to best Ryan Hidayat from West Java.

Surya Atmaja was the fourth and final grom of the eight trialists from yesterday that made it into Round 3. He continued his run and smashed his way into a Round 3 spot, with his fast and aggressive surfing and impressive mix of maneuvers getting him big cheers from the crowd and big points from the judges.

Rounding out the list of top performing young groms was Jeren, who was surfing beyond his years with power and style, getting a 6.0 and a 6.75 in his Round 1 heat and blowing away his rivals. He had little trouble repeating his performance in Round 2, winning this heat as well, so is solidly in the driver's seat for Round 3 tomorrow.

Of special mention today was the participation 11 year old Annissa Flynn from Thailand, the only girl surfer in the event. She came to Bali through a special invitation from Quiksilver, who after seeing her perform in the recent Quiksilver Thailand Surf Series event in Phuket, winning the Junior Division and placing second in the Women's division, thought she deserved to come surf in Bali for a few days! Though she didn't make it through her heat, she showed off her courage and ability by chasing the biggest waves all over the lineup and taking off without hesitation.

Round 3 is scheduled to get underway tomorrow morning at 9:00 am. Attached is the heat draw for the Round 3 lineup.

The Quiksilver King of the Groms is a Grade 2 Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Championship Tour Junior Division sanctioned event, presented by Coke Zero and Sprite Zero, and sponsored-supported by The Haven, Harris Hotels, Aroma, Bapak Bakery, GUS, SurfTime, Trax, Cosmo Girl, Men's Fitness, Spicey, Gadis, Seventeen and Cinta-Cinta.

Photos and text : Tim Hain – Coca-Cola ISC Tour

Thanks,


Eka I. Rochmansyah
Media Coordinator ISC

TRIAL ROUNDS COMPLETED ON DAY 1 OF QUIKSILVER KING OF THE GROMS AT KUTA BEACH

9 July 2009, Kuta-Bali : The first day of the Quiksilver King of the Groms at Halfways on Kuta Beach saw 40 young surfers age 16 and under competing for the eight open spots in the first round of competition that will start at 7:30 am tomorrow morning.

Halfways on Kuta Beach was pumping with 3-4 foot sets all morning, giving the younger grommets (surfing slang for young surfers 16 and under in age) a real workout and the older surfers some excellent waves to rip apart and impress the judging panel up in the tower.

The morning's lineup consisted of kids from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Australia, all vying for a place in Round 1 that would give them a chance to compete for the ultimate prize of a free trip France to compete in the Quiksilver King of the Groms World Final at Hossegor France this September.

At the end of the morning's action, there were eight surfers that made the cut and will be on the beach and ready to join the other Round 1 competitors tomorrow morning.

1. Matt Lindsay – Australia
2. Josh Lindsay - Australia
3. Azor Joseph Laudes –Philippines
4. Paul John Alipayo – Philippines
5. Wayan Andika – Indonesia
6. Surya Atmaja – Indonesia
7. Jung – Indonesia
8. Pandu – Indonesia

The Quiksilver King of the Groms is a Grade 2 Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Championship Tour Junior Division sanctioned event, presented by Coke Zero and Sprite Zero, and sponsored-supported by The Haven, Harris Hotels, Aroma, Bapak Bakery, GUS, SurfTime, Trax, Cosmo Girl, Men's Fitness, Spicey, Gadis, Seventeen, and Cinta-Cinta.

See attached Heat Draw for tomorrow First Round competitors list.

Photos and text : Tim Hain – Coca-Cola ISC Tour

Thanks,


Eka I. Rochmansyah
Media Coordinator ISC





Photo 1 : Paul John














Photo 2 : Matt Lindsay














Photo 3 :Kuta Lineup














Photo 4 : Kuta Beach Morning














Photo 5 : June - Canggu














Photo 6 : Jake And Groms





















Photo 7 : Groms