May 18-19, 2012
Queen’s surf break – Kuhio Beach, Waikiki
Entry Form Official Site
T&C Surf is stoked to announce the 16th Annual T&C Surf / Surfer Magazine Grom Contest presented by Chili’s Grill & Bar. Join the T&C ohana May 18-19 at Queen’s surf break in Waikiki for a weekend full of surf, fun and sun.
The event gives inspiring surfers age 12 and younger the opportunity to compete at one of the South Shore’s premier surf breaks. Groms take on the waves at Queen’s surf break in the shadow of the legendary Duke Kahanamoku statue at Kuhio Beach in Waikiki. T&C Surf and Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii, our non-profit partner, produces the event each year to introduce young surfers to the world of competitive surfing in a less-intense setting. Only surfers age 12 and younger who have never participated in NSSA or HASA events may compete. We are anticipating more than 300 entries for this year’s contest.
“Each year we look forward to sharing the stoke of surfing with a new batch of kids. Our focus is on providing an opportunity for those kids that do not regularly compete and give them a chance to gain some experience and feel the thrill of competition. It all about fun!” says Craig Sugihara, president and founder of T&C Surf. “This year no NSSA, HASA or other competitive surfers will be eligible to participate. We think this is a positive development, as there are many contests out there for surfers who focus their energy on competing. Our goal as always is to share the stoke of surfing with as many people as possible and bring family and friends together for a fun weekend of surfing.”
The contest has grown so popular that T&C Surf added a kokua division last year for keiki ages 3 -6 years old. The division maxed out and organizers expect the same this year. Adults are allowed in the line-up during these heats to help little ones catch waves. It gives the youngest of surfers the opportunity to take part in a contest with some extra support from a grown-up. The addition of a kokua division follows an increase in divisions for girls over the past several years. T&C Surf now offers three age groups for girls in both shortboard and longboard divisions.
The expanded offerings bring parents, uncles, aunties and kids from across the island chain to Waikiki Beach for a full weekend at the ocean. The fun kicks off Saturday with preliminary heats in three divisions for boys and girls: shortboard, longboard and bodyboard (schedule is subject to change). Passing the time between heats, kids enjoy beach games with opportunities to score prizes from their favorite surf brands. Before the sun sets, the top young surfers will advance to the finals on Sunday.
Kids also get stoked about being in the spotlight of Surfer Magazine, the shared title sponsor of the event. Many of Hawaii’s notable surfers, who now grace the pages of surf magazines worldwide, got their start at this grom contest.
”Surfer Magazine is once again proud to partner with T&C for the 2013 Grom Contest! We at Surfer know how much the kids look forward to this special event each year and how much fun everyone in attendance has! Craig and Linda Sugihara and the entire T&C crew are helping make memories that the groms will carry with them for years to come. Can’t wait for the event”! – Jeremy Schluntz, Associate Publisher of Surfer Magazine. “The crew at T&C Surf creates an experience that kids will remember for the rest of their lives. No other surf competition in the islands celebrates having fun and healthy competition the way they do.”
Adults can also get in on the fun by signing up for the FreeSurf Magazine Expression Session. Grown-ups join keiki in a special adult/child tandem surf event that gives them the opportunity to share the waves family style.
“There are so many surf events in Hawaii. We have been historically picky about when we get involved,” says Mike Latronic, publisher of FreeSurf Magazine. “T&C Surf’s Grom contest highlights that special bond that ocean-loving families share. We are honored to be invited back to participate in the event”
The Expression Session is open to all adults and children (under age 5). On-site entry is free (limited to 10 entries) and prizes and trophies are awarded to the top three teams.
The event wraps up with the final heats on Sunday, where the top six in each division receive trophies and prize packs filled with surf products from event sponsors and the opportunity to win one of two custom T&C Surf boards.
The Board Stories film crew will be on-site to capture all the action in the water for a segment on Board Stories TV this summer.
Entry forms are available at all T&C Surf locations, online at TCSurf.com/grom13 and on Facebook (keyword Grom Contest). A portion of the proceeds from contest T-shirt sales will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii. The public can call 808-483-8710 for more information.