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Posted on Thursday February 24th 2011 at 12:02 p.m.
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Elliot Paerata – Reid is gunning for the number one position in the Under 16 Boys Division and a win at the final event of the series, held in his own backyard, could be enough to see him through to a series title. Image by Digga / NZ Surf Mag
The Billabong Grom Series caters for six divisions across three events around the country. The winners of the series are awarded airfares to Australia and entry into the hotly contested Billabong Occy Grom Comp, named after iconic world champion Mark Occhilupo.
Going into the last event all five air tickets are within the grasp of a number of surfers despite some dominant showings in the series to date.
The Under 16 Boys Division is being led by Dune Kennings (WGM) after taking two wins from two events. The race for the title has come down to just two surfers with local Piha boy Elliot Paerata - Reid pressing hard to put a stop to Kennings exceptional run of form. However, to clinch the series, Kennings needs to place fifth or better, a result that looks achievable on paper. However add a talent laden field of surfers, some final event pressure and an often unpredictable Piha line up, the race is anything but over.
Paerata - Reid on the other hand has a massive task ahead of him, first stopping Kennings by the semifinals stage of the event, then going on to post the best possible result where only a first is likely to be good enough to steal the number one position.
A big result is not beyond the young Paerata - Reid who thrives on surfing his local break at size and in pressure cooker situations, a combination that looks odds on for this weekend.
The Under 16 Girls Division is also a two horse race with double event winner Ella Williams (WGM) holding off Jayda Martin - Fitzharris (Gis) who has posted two second placings.
Williams will need to make the finals and place in the top three to secure the Billabong Grom Series presented by Oceanbridge. Martin - Fitzharris needs to win the event with Williams placing fourth or lower to create an upset.
The Under 14 Boys Division has been blown apart with mixed results across the board giving top six surfers a big chance of winning the title. The equation improves further for the lower rated surfers with current ratings leader Korbin Hutchings (Gis) competing internationally this weekend and absent from the event. That makes way for Te Rapai Barbarich - Love (Tara), Manu Scott - Arreita (Sandy Bay), Isaac Kettle (Tara), Harrison Whiteside (Cant) and Callum Chuter (Mnt) who all have a chance of winning the series.
Dayna Story (Gis) is the likely winner of the Under 14 Girls ratings after picking up two wins at the first two events. Even a lowly semifinals finish this weekend will put her out in the lead ahead of Claudia Fraser (Piha) and Jasmine Smith (Gis).
The Under 12 Boys couldn't get any closer with Kehu Butler (Mnt) and Taine Craig - Ranga (Waihi Beach) taking a win a piece at the first two events. Craig - Ranga fought back hard at the second event for his first ever victory. If the two surfers can face off for top honours this weekend, the trip to Australia will go to the victor.
Local Piha girl Gabrielle Paul will be looking to make it three wins from three events at home when she takes on her opponents in the Under 12 Girls Division.
The final event of the Billabong Grom Series presented by Oceanbridge also sees prizes given out to the highest heat scores for both the boys and girls divisions as well as a Playstation 3 for the best manoeuvre of the event.
The 2010 Piha event was cancelled due to a large storm hitting the West Coast of the country so all surfers will be looking forward to testing the waters at Piha this weekend.
Please see below the Billabong Grom Series pres by Oceanbridge ratings after two of three events.
Under 16 Boys Division Top 5
1, Dune Kennings (Whmata)
2, Elliot Paerata - Reid (Piha)
3, Josh Taylor (Mnt)
4, Waretini Wano (Piha)
5, Sean Kettle (Tara)
Under 14 Boys Top 5
1, Korbin Hutchings (Gis)
2, Te Rapai Barbarich Love (Waitara)
3, Manu Scott - Arrieta (Sandy Bay)
4, Isaac Kettle (Tara)
5, Harrison Whiteside (ChCh)
Under 12 Boys Top 5
1=, Kehu Butler (Mnt)
1=, Taine Craig Ranga (Waihi Bch)
3, Tane Bowden (Whmata)
4, Luke Griffin (Mt)
5, Seren Marsh (Arataki)
Under 16 Girls Top 5
1, Ella Williams (Whmata)
2, Jayda Martin-Fitzharris (Gis)
3, Hannah Kohn (Gis)
4, Tayla Jakich (Muri)
5, Bridie Laing (Auck)
Under 14 Girls Top 5
1, Dayna Story (Gis)
2, Claudia Fraser (Auck)
3, Jasmine Smith (Gis)
4, Milly Crewe (Muri)
5, Britt Kindred (Muri)
Under 12 Girls Top 5
1, Gabrielle Paul (Auck)
2=, Ella Jungwirth (Mnt)
2=, Maya Barbuzza (Italy)
4=, Emma Crewe (Auck)
4=, Skye Hutchings (Gis)
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