2007 Rip Curl GromSearch: Puerto Rico

Surfline wasn’t lying. A stacked, out-of-season North/N. East groundswell served up flexing, overhead gutty conditions Saturday, May 26 for the 1st stop of the Rip Curl GromSearch presented by Boost Mobile at Jobos Beach in Puerto Rico.

Photo: Rachel Tanner

The result? An action- packed day of groms pushing the limits, as they threw themselves over the ledge continuously in one of the heaviest days of surf in GromSearch history.

With a DJ on hand to mix some fresh beats, a full-fledged ping-pong marathon with Wimbledon intensity, as well as a classic exhibition featuring Tom Curren, Brian Toth, Dylan Graves, amongst other notable PR pros in the “Boost Mobile Expression Session”, the GromSearch proved once again why it’s got the juice.

Photo: Rachel Tanner

In the 12/under Boys division, the world witnessed that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, as former 3x World Champ, Tom Curren’s two sons, Patrick and Frank, went all out in the lined-up rights of Jobos. Despite valiant efforts from each, young Christian Rivera got the victory nod, with Pat and Frank finishing second and third respectively, making Tom a proud papa.

In the 14/under Boys, Hector Santa Maria showed exactly why he is not only a multi-GromSearch champ, but why he is also touted as the hottest young prospect to emerge from PR since Brian “Tothy” Toth. The stylish regularfooter flared up, notching an 8 and a 9 to send his competitors home and back to the drawing board.

While Liza Caban ran away with the Girls 16/under final, the real fireworks went down in the Boys 16/under final. These boys not only have an invite to the National Final (and potentially an all-expenses paid trip to Bells Beach if they win) on their mind, but they also knew that our boys at BOOST Mobile put up a free trip to the BOOST Mobile Pro of Surf for the winner.

With this type of gold on the line, all 4 boys went out and flared up to the rhythmic sounds of the reggaeton beats. Even though all four competitors found themselves comfortably with double digit combined scores, it was Eric Torres who used his hefty fronthand heavyweight hack to leave no doubt who owns the 2007 Puerto Rican GromSearch crown.

If Puerto Rico is any indication of what the 2007 Rip Curl GromSearch presented by BOOST Mobile will serve up this year, then we are in for a hall-of-fame season. The circus now moves immediately to Pacific Beach Drive, San Diego this weekend (June 2) for stop #2. Official GromSearch forecast partner, Surfline, is predicting another solid swell to peak this Saturday, which will ensure another amazing event.

Stay tuned to HYPERLINK "http://www.ripcurl.com" www.ripcurl.com for more info, as well as event coverage, and hit up HYPERLINK "http://www.ripcurl.com/gromsearch" www.ripcurl.com/gromsearch to register for upcoming events online!

Official Results for Puerto Rico, Stop #1 of the Rip Curl GromSearch presented by BOOST Mobile

Boys 12/under
1.Christian Rivera
2. Patrick Curren
3. Frank Curren
4. Meshach Carson

Photo: Rachel Tanner

Boys 14/under
1.Hector Santa Maria
2.Roger Torres
3.Bernardo Martinez
4.Christian Rivera

Girls 16/under
1.Liza Caban
2.Rocio de la Cruz
3.Notchka Aceveda
4.Havanna Cabrero
5.Kelly Laide
6.Ocean Diamond

Boys 16/under
1.Eric Torres
2.Jose Tavarez
3.Hector Santa Maria
4.Juan Genera

 

		THE BEST WAVES! THE BEST SURFERS! THE BEST PHOTOS! AND NOW THE BEST DEAL: SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND GET 1 YEAR OF SURFING MAGAZINE FOR ONLY $12.00! Take advantage of this special offer-act now! GIVE A GIFT
				Email: First Name: Last Name: Address Line 1: Address Line 2: City: State: Zip: Select a payment option: Charge my credit card Bill me later Do you have a promotional coupon code? Enter Code: Please send me special offers and exclusive promotions from Surfing's premiere partners.