THERE WERE 48 COMPETITORS IN THE JR MEN DIVISION TO START THE EVENT. AFTER THE 1ST ROUND THERE WOULD BE 24 LEFT. DYLAN DID WELL IN CLEAN 2-3 LIGHTHOUSE CONDITONS ADVANCING TO THE NEXT ROUND. WITH 24 LEFT HIS NEXT HEAT SAW THE WIND GO OFFSHORE AND THE WAVES HOLD THEIR FUN SIZE. AGAIN HE ADVANCED EVEN KNOCKING OUT A COUPLE ALL STARS ALONG THE WAY. NOW THERE WOULD BE 12 LEFT WITH HIS NEXT HEAT IN THE MORNING. WITH THE WIND STILL OFFSHORE AND THE WAVES DROPPING IT WAS GOING TO BE A MATTER OF GETTING THE WAVES. WITH 1-2 FT SURF THERE WASN'T MUCH TO WORK WITH BUT THAT IS HOW CONTESTS GO FOR ALL COMPETITORS. AFTER 15 MINUTES OF BACK AND FORTH LEADS IT WAS OVER FOR DYLAN. HE FINISHED EQUAL 9TH NOT A BAD EFFORT FOR A LOCAL KID.

THE TRIP WAS GREAT THE ROAD WAS LONG BUT THE MEMORIES WILL REMAIN!! CHECK OUT THE GALLERY.

2009 Labor Day Weekend Surf Event!

Wow!! What can we say the Second Billabong Grom Comp of 2009 went off huge in tiny but fun surf for the groms. We had a stellar turnout with 100 kids in the competition doubling the entry from our first event back in May. Groms ranged in age from 2 to 14 with the most competitors in the Super Groms division which represents the 8 & under crew. Many thanks go out to all the volunteers and parents who helped pull this event off . I think everyone involved would agree it was a labor of love . Tiki trophies and prizes were given out to finalists in all divisions. The Tom Curry Sportsmanship award always recieves the best prize with this events being a Sector9 Cosmic Series Longboard. CONGRATS go out to the winners of this event:

Super Groms: Ellen Brown

Mini Groms: Skylar Babin

Groms: Lauren Hunter

Sr. Groms: Matt Wise

Tom Curry Sportsmanship Award: Chris Jones

Special thanks to Co Sponsors Matt & Vanessa Cassidy from Billabong Surf Camps/Ride on Surf School along with there staff and our Team Riders Austin Magee & Dylan Sims. Matt Magera Billabong store mgr, Emcee nutcase Justin Lyons, Judges and Pushers Mike Hardiman, Phillip MacDonald ,Brad McCaan and Mike Sturdivant. Organizational gurus Nancy Babin and my beautiful wife Tina Sims. Also a shout out to all our Sponsors:Billabong, Ride on Surf School, Dakine, Aloha Surf Comany, Meyer Skimboards, Pompano Joes,On The Coast, I Will Design for Food and M publications.

Frank Sims

Billabong Destin

Local surfing event offers young surfers a chance to surf competitively.

Billabong Destin and Ride On Surf School are teaming up to host the 1st annual Billabong Grom Comp on Saturday, September 5th at the Pompano Joe’s Beach Park in Miramar Beach from 9:00am-till. The inaugural Billabong Grom Comp is a surfing competition for young surfers ages 12 and under and will include three divisions—Super Groms ages 8 and under, Mini Groms ages 10 and under, and Groms ages 12 and under. No surfing experience is required and surfboards will be provided for participants.

“We are really excited to be able to offer a surf event like this for local kids in our area,” said Frank Sims, owner of Billabong Destin located in Grand Boulevard and Aloha Surf Company in Baytowne Wharf. “The Grom Comp is a fun event that is intended to expose young people to surfing in a safe, family-friendly environment. As a lifelong surfer myself, I remember the thrill of my first days on a board and hope to be able to offer the same exciting experience to the younger generation of surfers.”

Inspired by the Occy Grom Comps that are held in annually in Southern California, the Billabong Grom Comp is all about children having fun. The entry fee is $15 which includes a signature event t-shirt and goodie bag. Trophies and prizes will be awarded to finalists in all three divisions. Parent/Guardian participation is also encouraged and push-in assistance is allowed in all divisions. In case of inclement weather, back up dates for the event are Sunday, September 6th or Monday, September 7th.
“The Billabong Grom Comp is going to be an awesome event,” said Matt Cassidy, founder of Ride On Surf School. “Frank and I are thrilled to contribute to our local surf culture through both our businesses and events such as these—it’ll be a perfect opportunity for local kids to learn how to surf and engage in some friendly competition.”

The 1st Annual Billabong Grom Comp is sponsored by: Billabong Camps, Ride On Surf School, Billabong Destin, Meyer Skimboards, M Public Relations, Global Surf Industries, Destin Health & Fitness Club, On the Coast Magazine, Aloha Surf Company, Pompano Joe’s Seafood House, I Will Design for Food, and Surfrider.

To register for the competition or for additional information, please contact Frank Sims at Billabong Destin at 850.424.3553 or Matt Cassidy at Ride On Surf School at 850.582.2593.