Welsh groms put on an outstanding display of surfing at the Welsh Coast Surf Club (WCSC) Grom Festival at the weekend.
Words: Steve White Photos: @jonsurfphoto
Held at Rest Bay on Sunday 20 September, the comp marked the first round in the Welsh Surfing Federation’s Junior Surf Series 2026.
Young rippers came out in force across all age categories, with boys’ and girls’ divisions at U12, U14, U16, U18, U21, longboard, plus U10 mixed.
It was a very successful and well-attended event with competitors enjoying consistent waves throughout. Throw in blue skies, autumn sunshine and a DJ set pumping out the tunes, and the stage was set for a great day of shredding in Porthcawl.
Twenty-minute heats got underway at 9:30am in front of the lifeguard hut where the groms charged solid low-tide sets wrapping into the easterly side of the bay.
Above: Ted Davies
Possibly the most stoked surfer of the contest, Daisy Williams (WCSC) tore through her heats to claim the U12 girls crown.
An equally amped Ted Davies (above) (Langland Board Riders) built scores steadily on his way to an 8.27 total and the U12 boys title. Noah Burdett (Channel Coast Surf Club) finished just behind on 7.53.
Team Wales athletes, Ryan Croucher (LBR) and Ollie Phillips (CCSC) were keen for a last taste of competitive surfing before flying out to Ireland this week for EuroSurf Juniors. Reigning U14 Welsh champion Croucher nailed the top spot with 10.4 points, a fin’s width ahead of second-placed Phillips who notched up 10.3.
Robyn Penfold sent the spray flying in a gold-medal-winning performance in the U16 girls final. Emily David surfed strongly in the onshore winds, bagging the silver.
Above: Josie Hawkes
In the U16 boys final, Bryn Baker (Pembrokeshire Surf Club) defended an early lead until the final hooter to take top honours. Freddy Fuse’s (WCSC) electric display secured second place. Fyn Bell (PSC) and Flynn Jones (Welsh Surfing Federation) came in third and fourth respectively.
Podium regular Caitlin Bazley (CCSC) linked frontside hacks fluidly in the U18 girls final. However, Josie Hawke (Pembrokeshire Surf Life Saving Club) demonstrated superb rail work and sent her board north of the wave lip as she powered her way to victory.
Wales squad members Max Davies (LBR), Elijah Jones (PSC) and Coby-Jon Williams (WCSC) laid their allegiances aside for the U18 boys final. They took turns blowing holes in mid-tide Rest Bay walls, but it was Davies who came out on top with 7.87. Williams ended on 6.87 in second place, with Jones in third.
Also preparing for international duty, Josie Hawke delivered a clinic to clinch the U21 girls final. Last year’s Welsh Nationals men’s champion Eli Perrins-Davies (CCSC) demolished the late-afternoon ramps to seize the U21 boys crown.
Pembrokeshire’s Elijah Jones cross-stepped his way to winning the boys longboard division, while Josie made it a double by taking the girls longboard title.
Rest Bay was still pumping towards the end of the day, ready for our U10 super-groms. Each youngster put in a courageous performance, showing off style and skill for the judging panel and supporters on the beach. The future of Welsh surfing is in good hands!
Following presentations, the day ended with a raffle and auction that saw spectators and surfers walk away with some fantastic prizes donated by our sponsors.
Above: Eli Perrins-Davies
Contest Director Tim Aylett said,
“It was a great day, we had really nice waves and a cracking turnout. Amazing surfing from start to finish as well, so it couldn’t have gone better.
“A huge thank you to everyone involved – to all our supporters, judges, organisers, and surfers. Thanks to Daisy (check in), Leah (beach marshal and raffle), to Simon Diamond (DJ) and to Greg Owen (MC and presentations).
“Another huge thankyou to our headline sponsors: Guard, BCRS Business Loans, C-Monsta and Tiki for their support and amazing prizes.
“Thank you also to sponsors Porthcawl Surf School, Balsa Surf Shop, Coney Surf, Edwards Roofing, Hiraeth Surf, Backdoor Surf Wax, Elusive Clothing, Hi Tide Porthcawl, and Porthcawl Marine, who also supplied fantastic prizes.
“We really appreciate your help and could not have staged the competition without you.”
Above: Emily David
Full Results
U12 Boys: 1. Ted Davies (LBR); 2. Noah Burdett (CCSC); 3. Ray Bailey (WCSC); 4. Dylan Bell (PSC)
U12 Girls: 1. Daisy Williams (WCSC); 2. Indigo Adams (CCSC); 3. Molly Shelmerdine (WSF)
U14 Boys: 1. Ryan Croucher (LBR); 2. Ollie Phillips (CCSC); 3. Sunny Gardner (LBR); 4. Isaac Littlejohn (WCSC)
U16 Girls: 1. Robyn Penfold; 2. Emily David; 3. Florence Curran Hughes
U16 Boys: 1. Bryn Baker (PSC); 2. Freddy Fuse (WCSC); 3. Fyn Bell (PSC); 4. Flynn Jones (WSF)
U18 Girls: 1. Josie Hawke (PSLSC); 2. Caitlin Bazley (CCSC)
U18 Boys: 1. Max Davies (LBR); 2. Coby-Jon Williams (WCSC); 3. Elijah Jones (PSC)
U21 Girls: 1. Josie Hawke (PSLSC)
U21 Boys: 1. Eli Perrins-Davies (CCSC); 2. Rudder Rava (WCSC)
Boys Longboard: 1. Elijah Jones (PSC); 2. Ryan Croucher (LBR); 3. Oliver Molyneux (PSC); 4. William Procter (WCSC); 5. Sam Johnson (WCSC); 6. Josie Hawke (PSLSC)
Girls Longboard: 1. Josie Hawke (PSLSC)
Super Groms U10s: A big round of applause to our competitors: Teilo Oakley (WSF); Seb Pleydell-Pearce (WSF); Fflur Lawrence (WCSC); Idris Owens; Arwenna Davies (WCSC); Honey Perrins-Davies (WCSC); Romy Davies (WCSC); Anest Laurence (WCSC).
Above: Elijah Jones
