The second stage of the Ripcurl Grom Search, 2010, will be held this Saturday on Kata beach, we ask the super Groms if they are scared of the new competition...
beach. We as

When and why did you start surfing?
Annissa - I started surfing at the Phuket Cableski Park, my dad?s a bit you know, ?kee niow? so he took me surfing at the beach. I really loved it from the start.
Joe - I can?t remember exactly when I started surfing but it?s my favourite thing to do.
Panjo: About three years.

What?s the best thing about surfing?
A: The best thing is that I get to be with my friends.
J: Definitely the feeling of racing along a wave, doing a cut-back and then flying off the face of the wave and doing a somersault.

What?s been your proudest surfing moment so far?
A: That was almost getting a 360 this morning at Kata Noi... God it was so close!(gestures
with hand)
J: Proudest moment? that would be getting a tube... it was sooooo cool!
P: My proudest moment was when I came second in the Kata surf final last year.

If you?re not surfing what do you like to do?
A: I like playing on my PS2 with Banjo Nu at Nautilus surf shop.
J: Beating my brother Sam because he?s better at fire-turning (not sure either: Ed) than me and he?s only been doing it for three weeks.
P: Skateboarding and snowboarding

What do you hate doing?
All three say homework in unison.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
A: I want to be a professional surfer.
J: Me too.
P: I want to be a pro surfer as well...or snowboarding champ at the Olympics.

Do you think there are going to be any GROM?s that are as good as you guys this year?
A: Yes - well it depends on what the waves are like on the day, we?re all pretty good. There are lots of great surfers in Phuket.
J: All the kids in Bali that might come are pretty good. They?re allowed to just surf all day and don?t go to school (looks wistfully into the air).
P: Yes Caden is really good -he?s from America but he burnt his leg on the motorbike and we are not sure if he can compete.

What makes a good surfer?
A: You need to like the water first and you need to be patient.
J: You have to be quick.
P: You need to have good balance and know where you want to go before you go there.

What do you say to any of the kids out there who want to surf but who think they?re not good enough to enter the Rip Curl Grom Search?
A: Well you don?t really have to be good you can just come along and try it, there?s a free surf school in the morning.
J: Ohh surfing is unreal fun! They should definitely come along and give it a go! All that
can happen is you fall of into the water. Big deal!
P: Who cares if you?re not good?

What?s a ?Rip??
A: It?s where all the water goes back into the ocean... it?s really scary for swimmers
?cos they panic a lot...and we end up saving them.
J: Yup

Who are better at surfing: boys or girls? Why?
An Well I reckon girls are heaps better, all the boys do is try to show off and then they
fall off!
P: Boys.
J: Girls are better... well that?s what my dad says....

There will also be a plenty of freebies, giveaways, free surf lessons and even a BBQ sunset party.
Interested? Grab a board! and get gnarly at:

4 September - Kata Beach
18 September - Surin Beach