We at T&C are proud to present the 24th annual Grom Contest presented by Duke’s Waikiki. After two years off the beach due to Covid, we look forward to gathering once again on the shores of Waikiki to surf, play, and celebrate youth. Nothing makes us more stoked than to clear the lineup at our favorite surf break, and give back to the keiki. There will be waves, there will be a ton of prizes given away, but most of all, there will be the gathering of our beloved surf community. We are grateful to all of the families who have come year after year, not only from O’ahu, but from the neighbor islands as well. It is because of you keeping the stoke alive and fueling our fire to return for our 24th year. We also couldn’t have done it without long-time sponsors like Dakine, RVCA, Vertra, Vans, and the Boys & Girls Club of Hawai’i. T&C owner and founder Craig Sugihara says, “I am SO excited to bring back our Grom Contest in-person and on the beach at Waikiki! Our team pivoted to keep things going remotely during the pandemic, but there is no substitute for the energy and endless smiles when we get our keiki together for friendly competition in the water. I am stoked that we can gather again this summer!”
This contest format is unique because it allows for unrated surfers just cutting their competitive teeth to ease into the contest zone before going up against more experienced competitors. Many of today’s top surfers got an early taste of competition at the T&C Grom Contest, including Carissa Moore, John John Florence, Zeke Lau, Mason Ho, Billy Kemper, Brisa Hennessy, the Moniz ohana and Honolua Blomfield, to name a few. Once kids “graduate” from the Grom Contest, they go on to HSA, other junior rated events, the WSL and beyond.
This year, our presenting sponsor is Duke’s Waikiki, we are thrilled to partner with them, and likewise as Drew Crocker GM of Duke’s Waikiki states, “Duke’s Waikiki is stoked to be the presenting sponsor for the 2022 T&C Surf Grom Contest and we are looking forward to supporting our future Hawaii rippers.”
We also cherish our continued partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii. They have been an important supporter of Hawai’i’s keiki with the programs that they offer in the community. In addition, they are providing limited free entries for clubhouse members. “The Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii (BGCH) is extremely proud to again be the non-profit sponsor of the T&C Surf Grom Contest in beautiful Waikiki! The event, which perfectly aligns with our mission and the school-aged youth we serve, is a wonderful program which introduces young people to the joy of surfing in a non-competitive and welcoming space. BGCH is humbly grateful to T&C for their support of our organization and for inspiring our young people to live healthy lives!” says Paddy Kauhane, CEO and President.
The two-day event will take place at 8am – 4:30pm on June 4th and 5th at surfing’s ground zero, Queens at Kuhio Beach. The classic wave is considered by many as one of the best in the world and the birthplace of modern surfing, which could not be better suited for this event. The playful and approachable wave breaks predominantly to the right with occasional lefts and has a smaller reform section on the inside called Baby Queens. With 15-minute heats, boys and girls from ages three to twelve will compete for trophies, goodie bags, and bragging rights. There is also our adorable Kokua division which allows our three to eight-year-old keiki a little push into the wave at Baby Queens, as well as the “Freesurf Magazine Expression Session,” that features kids riding in tandem with a parent, auntie or uncle.
With typically more than 350 plus kids competing, we strongly advise interested parties to get their entries in early, as the contest is often full to capacity prior to the entry deadline. Registration can be found online at events.tcsurf.com The public can also call 808-483-8711 for more information. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to our non-profit partner, the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii.
About T&C Surf
Founded in 1971 by surfboard shaper Craig Sugihara, T&C Surf operates three divisions: surfboards, retail and licensing. The surfboard division operates from a state-of-the-art shaping facility in Wahiawa. It provides our highly skilled board shapers with the best tools for designing and producing some of the world’s most sought-after surfboards. The retail division includes six locations on Oahu; Ala Moana Center, Haleiwa Store Lots, Kahala Mall, Ka Makana Ali‘i, Pearlridge Center, and Windward Mall. The brand also has licensees around the world, including Australia, Brazil, Europe, Japan and New Zealand. Visit us online at TCSurf.com.
T&C Surf Grom Contest Schedule:
Saturday, June 4, 2022:
Kuhio Beach – Queen’s surf break
T&C Surf Grom Contest Open Division – competition 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (times subject to change)
Kuhio Beach – Baby Queen’s surf break
T&C Surf Grom Contest Kokua Division 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (times subject to change)
T&C Surf Grom Contest Kokua Division – awards (2:00 p.m., time subject to change)
Sunday, June 5, 2022:
Kuhio Beach – Queen’s surf break
T&C Surf Grom Contest Open Divisions prelims and finals 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (times subject to change)
FreeSurf Expression Session tandem event – 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
T&C Surf Grom Contest Open Division – awards (3:30 p.m., time subject to change)
For the latest times and heat information visit https://events.tcsurf.com/ and follow along on social media Facebook @TCSurfGromContest and Instagram @tcsurfshop