A Weekend of Fun Waves and Friends at Gabe’s Grom Contest

By: Cameron Hammer  

Going back to school can be a dreadful time of the year for some, only to look forward to what’s to come on the weekend. After a weekend of fun waves and good times with friends, the kids could not be happier.

With a record number of participants, over 120 groms hit the beach this past Saturday for Gabe’s Grom Contest.

Gabe’s Grom Contest, a surfing contest for kids the ages of 15 and under, was held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at A St., in St. Augustine Beach, Florida on August 26, 2023.  

 

This event allows up and coming surfers to gain knowledge and experience in competitive surfing, while also providing an encouraging and supportive environment to learn and have fun. For many, this is their first time participating in a surfing contest.

With a free entry too, anyone can join to surf and learn some new skills.

Gift packs, with stickers, t-shirts, and other goodies, for all who participated were donated by The Surf Station, Quiksilver, Spy+, FCS, Barwick Banking Company, Action Title Services SJC, and Atlantic Mechanical AC.

Endless Summer Realty also contributed to the event by providing Mojo’s Tacos and snow cones for the competitors to enjoy as well.

With clean waist to chest high waves, and some of the set waves being a couple of feet overhead for some of the smaller surfers, families gathered from all around Florida, such as Melbourne, New Smyrna, and Flagler Beach.

Gabe Kling created this contest with the intention of getting everybody together at the beach to have fun, while also giving the opportunity to kids to be exposed to good surfing. 

As many young and talented surfers competed this year, trophies and prizes were also given to the finalists.

This year’s results include:

Push In (9 and Under Co-ed):

1. Sailer Dunagan
2. Shane Kling
3. Curren Cristello
4. Jensen Shaw
5. Parx Hogan
6. Easton McCoy

Boys 12 & Under:

1. Tyko Tran
2. Layton Cacchio
3. Kai Peters
4. Jackson Lane
5. Logan Hartigan
6. Kason Kling

Girls 15 & Under:

1. Sophie Davis
2. Sage Pytel
3. Emery Davis
4. Safari McMandon
5. Emerson Clark
6. Maizey McCloghry

Boys 13-15:

1. Sebastian Peters
2. Benji Lacy
3. Matt Coltman
4. Everett Nipper
5. Owen Anthony
6. Jay Weyer

     This is Kling’s 7th grom contest, and with a turn out better than ever there will only be more to come in the future.