Young guns fire at Sewers

The Cowaramup Bay Boardriders Club held its last inter-club competition of the season on Saturday, with a new host of winners emerging at Sewers.

Boardriders vice-president Lucas Englert said the day started a bit big for some, with younger surfers taking to inside Grunters, while older riders surfed out the front.

Englert said the young surfers showed their skills once again.

“We had a few people missing due to injury — that’s part of the job I suppose,” he said.

“All the kids there had a great time.”

Strong performers on the day included under-18 boys Cy Cox, Ben Gradisen, and Jolan Bonelli and Sam Cawood, who claimed the top four podium spots in their division.

“The older girls, Arabelle Gibson and Zali Hewson and Maddie Cawood, all surfed very well to get through to the finals,” Englert said.

Newcomer Summer Sanderland came fourth to round out the division, while Hewson also scored wipe-out of the day for her efforts going over the falls while trying for a big turn.

Willow Hardy edged ahead of Ruby Berry, Skye Cawood, and Kaleisha Launders to win the girls’ under-12s.

In the under-16 boys, Jed Gradisen defeated Finn Cox and Jedd Penkthaman, while under-14s Sol Pogue-Englert, George Simpson, Brock Launders, and Allister Williams showed continued improvement fighting for the top four positions.

Sidney Englert was first in the growing under-12s division, ahead of Leif Fouire, Okie Fraser, and first-time finalist Harper George, while the fiery Max Ghiretti bested Olive Hardy to win the novice contest.

Englert said there was consistent good surfing across the competition and the surfers would meet again in August for another round.