Saturday the 12th of April saw the Scottish Junior National Surfing Championships return to Fraserburgh on what would be the 50th Anniversary of Scottish Surfing Federation. The first ever Scottish national event first run in the Broch back in 1974.
A closely tracked weather system in the week leading up to the event was studied and the event was eventually called ON midweek, by event hosts Broch Surf Club, with signs of a favourable 2-3ft north swell forecast at main beach on the Saturday.
Competitors, judges & officials assembled at main beach Fraserburgh as the sun was rising welcomed by a lone Catamaran silhouette in the bay with clean blissful head high lines peeling onto the shoreline.
The Scottish National Junior Surfing Championships 2025 were well and truly on, with a busy day ahead to crown our 2025 National champions.
First heat was underway at around 07:30, a testament to the slick background support network, with the well-oiled machine now that is Scottish Surfing.
Under 18 Girls were first in the water with local shredder Lola Mitchell starting strong. Early surprise exit from the event was (North Shore Surf Club) and reigning Scottish Under 18 champion Olivia Mackay, surfing well in the event but just falling short in what was arguably the toughest heat draw in the event. Beatrix Brown now residing in Algarve Portugal along with Callie Cruickshank (Broch Surf Club) and Athena Santoris (Edinburgh & Borders Surf Club) progressing through to the Under 18 Girls Final.
The Boys Under 18 early rounds followed with some standout performances from Israel Noble (Broch Surf Club), Tam Hood, Ansel Parkin, Rudi Forrest & Charlie Pugh (all of Belhaven Surf Club) with all progressing through the rounds and into the Under 18 Boys final bar Charlie Pugh.
By late morning the sun was out and the temperatures on the beach were reaching the high teens. Crowds of spectators gathered throughout the day on what felt was a festival like atmosphere along the beach promenade, welcomed by background music from Iain Pugh @ vision events and the legend that is Scot Surf as MC for the day relaying the scores to the competitors & spectators alike.
The favourable conditions all morning allowed the young athletes to showcase their skills and display some real high performance & progressive surfing.
Under 16 Girls were next up in the water and it was the local duo of Callie Cruickshank and Lola Mitchell both of Broch Surf Club making the most of their local knowledge to progress comfortably through the early rounds along with Erin Paterson and Rae Hood both of (Belhaven Surf Club) into the under 16 Girls Final.
The Under 16 Boys was arguably the most hotly contested and most exciting category of the event with a real depth of talent in this age group. Local Broch Surf Club surfers Gabriel Noble and Kai Cruickshank were dangerous draws in the event, using their local knowledge and positioning to their advantage, mixed up with progressive surfing approach they made their way to the Under 16 Boys final along with Ansel Parkin and Tam Hood (both Belhaven Surf Club). Special mention to Kai Cruickshank, aged at only 12 years, stepping up a division was really making a statement to the older athletes that he is one to watch in the future.
The lunchtime high tide provided the Under 14 division an opportunity to showcase their skills to the large assembling crowd. The raised level promenade and the soars of spectators and supporters created an amphitheatre like environment and made for a brilliant atmosphere.
Great early performances from young North Shore Surf Club duo Scarlett Heddle and Skye Brock paved their way to the U14 Final along with event favourite Maya Kobedza (Sandend Surf Club) and Belhaven Surf Clubs Erin Paterson. Unfortunately for young shredder Rae Hood (Belhaven Surf Club) who picked up an ankle injury mid event and had to retire. Heal up quickly Rae and big thanks to our water safety on the day Martin Mcqueenie for looking after our competitors.
Over 45 x 20 minute heats progressed like clockwork throughout the day with thanks to the legendary beach marshals Marcelle Lockhart & Claire Mackay, keeping us all on our toes and a welcoming smile !
The national finals kicked off around 14:00, with the tide dropping out and the swell decaying. Waves remained very consistent in the shoulder high region but a stiffening south east breeze made for trickier conditions. Wave selection, equipment selection and good use of tactical priority would prove to be key in securing the sought after Scottish National Junior Titles.
The Under 12 division kicked us off to crown our national surfing champions. It was a 2 way affair with Oscar Morgan (Aberdeen Surf Club) and Reuben Milbourne (Tiree Surf Club) battling it out for the top prize, with Oscar securing the win ahead of Reuben, Skye Brock (North Shore Surf Club) and younger brother Finn Morgan (Aberdeen Surf Club). This young age groups always provides great entertainment to the parents and spectators, congratulations to you all for pulling on the competitors vests. Keep up the good work, we can see massive improvements on your abilities, young shredders !
Under 12
1 Oscar Morgan (ASC)
2 Reuben Milbourne (TSC)
3 Skye Brock (NSSC)
4 Finn Morgan (ASC)
Erin Paterson (Belhaven Surf Club) surfed her way to victory in the Under 14 Girls final with some smart surfing and excellent wave selection besting Maya Kobedza (Sandend Surf Club) into 2nd, Scarlett Heddle (North Shore Surf Club) 3rd and Skye Brock (North Shore Surf Club) into 4th. It really is great to see the high numbers in young female athletes entering our events in Scotland. Well done to you all and keep up the good work.
Kai Cruickshank (Broch Surf Club) kicked off the Under 14 Boys by dropping a massive 6.5 in the early seconds of the Under 14 Boys final placing early pressure on his fellow finalists. Followed up with some solid backup scores Kai kept solid distance on his competitors with smart heat strategy to secure the win over Joel Christopherson (Belhaven Surf Club), Aidan Innes (Broch Surf Club) and reigning champion Sebastian Ballantyne (Broch Surf Club).
Under 14 Boys
1 Kai Cruickshank (BSC)
2 Joel Cristopherson (BHSC)
3 Aidan Innes (BSC)
4 Sebastian Ballantyne (BSC)
The U16 Girls final was a relatively slow affair with (Broch Surf Clubs) Lola Mitchell & Callie Cruickshank keeping busier than the (Belhaven Surf Club) competitors Erin Paterson (BHSC) and Rae Hood BSC. A relatively slow and starved heat for waves and limited scoring potential made for a nail biting finish with Callie Cruickshank edging it over Lola Mitchell for the win with Erin Paterson (Belhaven Surf Club in 3rd and Rae Hood (Belhaven Surf Club in 4th).
Under 16 Girls
1 Callie Cruickshank (BSC)
2 Lola Mitchell (BSC)
3 Erin Paterson (BHSC)
4 Rae Hood (BHSC)
With the swell energy and size decreasing, Gabriel Noble (Broch Surf Club) opted for a board swap for his Under 16 boys final choosing a flatter, fuller volume design which would prove to be a good tactical move. Gabe started strong with great wave choice blasting some long walls with some high performance turns in the tight pockets. Tactical board selection, high level surfing and excellent wave selection proved too much for the others and Gabriel deservedly took the win over Tam Hood (Belhaven Surf Club), Kai Cruickshank (Broch Surf Club) in 3rd and Ansel Parkin (Belhaven Surf Club) in 4th.
U16 Boys
1 Gabriel Noble (BSC)
2 Tam Hood (BHSC)
3 Kai Cruickshank (BSC)
4 Ansel Parkin (BHSC)
In the Under 18 Girls Final Callie Cruickshank (Broch Surf Club) stayed busy with a 12 wave count in the 20 minute final. Learning from her earlier slow Under 16 Final Callie showed determination to create scores in the deteriorating conditions. Steadily building score after score Callie was able to see out the Under 18 Girls final with the win to make it an impressive Under 16 & Under 18 National Champion double. Beatrix Brown (Algarve Surf Club) made an interference mistake in the latter stages of the final dropping her into 3rd place with Lola Mitchell (Broch Surf Club) 2nd and Athena Santoris (EBSC) 4th
Under 18 Girls
1 Callie Cruickshank (BSC)
2 Lola Mitchell (BSC)
3 Beatrix Brown (ASC)
4 Athena Santoris (EBSC)
It was Broch Surf Clubs Israel Noble who took the Under 18 boys win, securing the Scottish junior National title ahead of Ansel Parkin, Tam Hood and Rudi Johnston (all of Belhaven Surf Club). Israel showed great agility throughout the event and in the U18 final where his vertical approach and high risk turns were the difference between himself and the other competitors. It was an extremely tight final with less than 1 point separating the top 3 but Israel did enough to hold out for the win. It made for a great day for the Noble clan with brother Gabriel also picking up the Under 16 Boys Title.
U18 Boys
1 Israel Noble (BSC)
2 Ansel Parkin (BHSC)
3 Tam Hood (BHSC)
4 Rudi Johnston (BHSC)
A massive thank you from Scottish Surfing & Broch Surf Club and to all who supported this event to make it a massive success.
Fat Man Skinny Camera, Duncan McLachlan and Malcolm Anderson for the photos.
Malcolm Anderson for the video edit
ST Tyres
Moira Wharton Driving School
Broch Skate Club
Jamie Bain Properties
The Gift Boutique
Blackhouse Watersports
Lost Shore Resort
Far Cabinet Makers
National Lottery Scotland – Awards for All
Far Cabinet Makers
Well done to all the competitors and congratulations to all the newly crowned National Junior Champions.
Surf predictions for the 17th Jesus Longboard Classic were quite difficult this weekend just gone, in fact very similiar to that of 2024. So after much discussion, communication with stakeholders, local surfers, the CSUK team, and a few extra prayers, contest director, Phil Williams, decided to tweak the contest so that the event was held over one and a half days. Predictions for Saturday was pretty small waves but with potential of something good on the push for a Sunday, which was going to be bigger but very contestable but a bit more onshore.
The plan was to run just 10 heats on the Saturday with the remaining 16 heats on Sunday, which was exactly as it turned out with some great competition in clean conditions on the push of the tide, on Saturday involving most of the 60+ longboarders.
The event, which is held at Polzeath Beach in conjunction with the Tubestation and organisers Christian Surfers UK, and the event seems to have moved now from the Autumn to its April date, which even though it was the Easter holidays this year still seems to be a very popular decision.
The event covers six categories, with a mixture of seasoned competitors at the top end of the longboard community in the UK, and a number of those who may be entering the contest for the first time and because of its friendly vibe hospitality and reputation for community.
The Christian Surfers crew gathered on Friday night to set up the venue and were back on site at 9am on Saturday morning to ensure everything was ready to go when the competitors checked in at 11 am.
Contest director Phil was quite relieved after a mid-morning surf check confirmed there was indeed swell, and he was pretty confident that once the spring tide pushed in back, it would clean up and there would be good contestable waves for those 10 heats.
Day one finished with a free barbecue hosted for all those involved, and the hospitality team were stoked to see that the rain had moved off from earlier in the day, when it was torrential for a few hours.
Sunday mornings at the Jesus longboard classic are always really special as we start the day with the surfers blessing and this was particularly poignant this Sunday because it was Palm Sunday, an important date in the Christian calendar, a packed Tubestation of regulars, volunteers, and surfers connected with contest got involved, a great way to start the day.
There was great surfing in all divisions, and when it came to the finals all the heats were pretty stacked. In the over 60s event a great performance by Colin Bright from Llantwit, saw him take the victory ahead of south Devons Steve Broad, with Backwell’s Ben Keay in 3rd, and Gwyn Bright taking 4th.
Moving through the age categories in the over 50’s Camborne surfer Chris Webb, got revenge on his 2024 result, by beating Matt Thomas for the title, with Bristol Ben Keay taking 3rd ahead of Shannon Denny, entering her first Jesus longboard contest, and bringing a great vibe to proceedings.
The over 35’s division is always one of the most popular divisions, this year there was a new name on the trophy, Hayle’s Nico Keruzec, who surfed fantastically throughout the day, beating Sean Facey into second place with Jesus longboard classic regulars Greg Norman and Adrian Napper taking the third and fourth space spots in a great final.
The under 18’s (mixed event) always showcases the future of the longboard sport in the UK, with a number of new names this year, with some really strong performances this was a very exciting category. Reggie Roynon improved on his third place from last year taking the win ahead of his archrival Rowan Curbishley a great competitive battle. Paola Clifton took third place with another newbie to the event, and fantastic to have her perform in two categories Elisabeth Evans from Polzeath taking fourth.
Both the open categories of men and women were some of the tightest we have had since the event began, and in the women’s event Beth Leighfield went one better than last year by taking the event ahead of good friend and competition rival Emily Currie, who was less than half a point behind. A fantastic showcase of women surfing with Sophie Williamson from Newquay and Jen Pendlebury from St Columb also surfing really well, taking third and fourth place respectively.
The men’s final changed places throughout the 20 minute heat and in the end there was less than one point separating the top three surfers with Nico Keruzec winning his second category of the event and his first ever Jesus longboard open title ahead of Braunton’s Charlie Unsworth and Porthtowan’s Arthur Randel just before he flies out to represent his country in El Salvador at the world longboard Championships. Junior Rowan Curbishley also served so so well to finish fourth in the final.
The award ceremony took place in a packed Tubestation just after 4 pm, and the presentation started, with contest director Phil Williams sharing a little bit about the history and a special this event is to him and semi-others as it will be his last event running this in his role as national director for Christian surfers UK. You will be stepping down in August after 32 years but the great news is his replacement has been found and Ben Lillie with us throughout the weekend and will be another fantastic leader for this organisation.
Phil shared a bit about the faith importance of the surfers Bible and thanked all of that community present for friendship fun smiles and the love of longboard surfing.
Before the men’s award was announced Phil also awarded the oceans perpetual trophy in memory of the very special lady and key member of Christian surfers Sabina Edwards who passed away a couple of years ago this year it was an honour to hand it to Emily Currie friend of Sabina’s as well as a real advocate and legend in the longboard surf community. We wish Emily all the best she also flies out to El Salvador
Each of the first placed winners received a stunning trophy designed by CS member Chris Clark, and other places also took away lovely trophies and prizes.
A massive thanks for all involved in putting on this really successful event and in particular for all of the surfers who competed, the beach-based CS volunteers, and of course everybody involved with running the event and the hospitality back at Tubestation. Era also did a great job with the water safety.
JESUS LONGBOARD CLASSIC – 2025 RESULTS
Open Name Home
1 Nico Keruzec Hayle
2 Charley Unsworth Braunton
3 Arthur Randell Porthtowan
4 Rowan Curbishley St Buryan
5
Womens Open
1 Beth Leighfield Bude
2 Emily Currie Bude
3 Sophie Williamson Newquay
4 Jen Pendlebury St Columb
Over 35’s
1 Nico Keruzec Hayle
2 Sean Facey Taunton
3 Greg Norman Appledore
4 Adrian Napper Newquay
Over 50’s Name Home
1 Chris Webb Camborne
2 Matt Thomas St Agnes
3 Ben Keay Backwell
4 Shannon Denny Braunton
Under 18’s
1 Reggie Roynon Penzance
2 Rowan Curbishly St Buryan
3 Paola Clifton Perranporth
4 Elisabeth Evans Polzeath
5
Over 60’s
1 Colin Bright Llantwit major
2 Steve Broad Loddiscombe
3 Ben Keay Backwell
4 Gwyn Bright Llantwit major
Sabina Edwards – Perpetual Commemoration ‘Oceans’ Award – Emily Currie
Lineup: In true SAS Ball style, you’ll just have to wait and see…
Proceeds will help support Surfers Against Sewage’s ongoing campaigns and environmental initiatives. By attending, you are helping to drive positive change for our seas, rivers and lakes.
Gabriela Bryan (HAW) and Jordy Smith (RSA) won the Surf City El Salvador Pro, Stop No. 4 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT). Bryan claimed victory over CT veteran Isabella Nichols (AUS), while Smith secured his seventh CT win against fellow South African Matthew McGillivray (RSA). Today’s finalist fought through longer lulls and capitalized on four-to-six-foot sets at Punta Roca, also known as La Punta or Punta Chilama.
Bryan’s Redemption Run To Victory, Now Jumps To World No. 2
Gabriela Bryan (HAW) secured back-to-back Surf City El Salvador Finals appearances and the second CT victory of her career. 2022 Rookie of the Year Bryan continues to establish herself among the world’s best. Her first win at the 2024 Western Australia Margaret River Pro and recent runner-up finish at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal put her on the list of contenders to watch. The now 23-year-old moves into the World No. 2 spot on the rankings in search of making her maiden Final 5.
“That was such an insane rollercoaster Final,” said Bryan. “I made some mistakes, but I was just thinking, ‘Please give me one more wave, and I won’t mess it up.’ I’m feeling so good. I’ve had an amazing time in El Salvador, and I love it here. Right-hand point breaks are my favorite, and this is one of the best in the world. Getting to compete at it is amazing, and the crew I’m surrounded with is the best. Everyone back at home supporting me, I love you guys, and thank you El Salvador for the best time.”
The opening exchange in the first five minutes of the Final provided an open wall for Bryan to open up on her aggressive forehand and post a 6.50 (out of a possible 10). Isabella Nichols (AUS) was right behind her on a solid Punta Roca set of her own to blast multiple forehand gauges and searing carves to post a 6.57.
Bryan’s backup was enough to hold her lead over Nichols before an exchange provided Nichols an opportunity to strike back. A disastrous board buckle for Bryan forced her to change out boards as Nichols’ score dropped, and it was enough to take the Australian to the lead. Punta Roca delivered another pristine set for both competitors to attack once more, and Bryan took full advantage of the gem presented to her, belting multiple power gauges to post a 7.83 and overtake the lead. The ocean played in Bryan’s favor as a final lull didn’t provide any more opportunities before the final horn sounded.
In a rematch of their 2024 Surf City El Salvador Pro Semifinal Bryan eliminated reigning World Champion Caity Simmers (USA) again to advance to the Final. Simmers opened her matchup with Bryan with the highest score of the heat and later found herself on one of the biggest sets of the day. Bryan’s power surfing prevailed over the reigning World Champion.
Nichols Earns First Finals Appearance of 2025
Isabella Nichols (AUS) has had mixed results to start her fourth year on Tour. Nichols battled through every heat to earn her first Finals appearance of the season. Nichols’ previous Finals appearance was her win at the 2022 Margaret River Pro, where she defeated today’s event winner and then Rookie Gabriela Bryan (HAW). Throughout the 2025 El Salvador Pro, Nichols’s success has proven to be bittersweet as she had to miss her twin sister’s wedding. Today, Nichols defeated Molly Picklum (AUS) to ignite her push to the Final. She will look to continue her momentum into the Aussie Treble as she is now ranked World No. 7.
“I love coming back here. The people are amazing, and the waves are beautiful,” said Nichols. “ It’s just an incredible part of the world, and I just have so many people to thank. Especially my family for understanding that this is part of the job, and I was there in spirit. It’s been super worthwhile, and it’s been such a great week.”
Smith Prevails in All-South African Final to Earn Seventh CT Win
Jordy Smith’s (RSA) remarkable career spans 18 years among the world’s best on the CT, and now he has earned his seventh career CT victory over fellow South African Matthew McGillivray— a historic, all-South African final in the modern era. The 37-year-old’s impactful career includes multiple wins at right-hand point breaks, with two victories at his home break of Jeffreys Bay, Bells Beach, and now El Salvador’s Punta Roca. Smith now sits at No. 5 on the rankings, and looks to maintain his pace toward entering another World Title race.
In the Final, the first exchange came only moments after the horn sounded, and Smith wasted no time showcasing his powerful form to post a 7.33 (out of a possible 10) over McGillivray, who fell on his opening maneuver. Smith backed up his strong start and held a commanding lead heading into the back half of the Final. McGillivray was able to respond and get in the heat with a 5.00, but as time dwindled, Smith found another Punta Roca wall that allowed him to showcase more of his powerful style and post a 6.93 to take even more control and ultimately the victory.
“I think just for South Africa in general, this means a lot. I can’t believe it, to be honest,” said Smith. “If I could dedicate this to two people. My wife, and all the wives and husbands who let us do this, it means the world to me. And to my father. I wanted to ride my father’s board in this Final and win on it, and to do it is incredible. I just kept telling myself you can do it, you’re going to do it. It’s just four more waves, and you’re going to do it. It’s just so hard to take it all, it’s been so long. And I’m just happy to do it with another fellow South African. I can’t say enough good words about Matthew [McGillivray]. He’s a long-time friend and to share a Final with him is really, really special.”
McGillivray Earns First Career CT Final to Rise 14 Spots to World No. 13
Today, Matthew McGillivray (RSA) earned his first career Final since joining the Tour in 2021. The 28-year-old moved up 14 spots, and is now ranked World No. 13 heading into the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
McGillivray had a quick start in his Semifinal match against Crosby Colapinto (USA) with an 8.17 (out of a possible 10). In the final minutes, Colapinto had a chance to elevate his score when he found himself getting barrelled three times on one wave, but McGillivray’s heat total put him in a position to still need a second score.
“I love it here in El Salvador. I love right-hand point breaks, and it’s been a fun event,” McGillivray said. “Thanks to everyone for the support, and it’s been so good to be here. It’s been a long event and I can’t believe I’m in the Final. I’ve just been trying to surf smart heats and be selective and do my best surfing. I think I still have more to give, and I think everyone feels that way, and hopefully, that can come out now.”
Ferreira, Dora, and Ewing Clear Mid-season Cut Heading to Aussie Treble
An incredible week of high-performance showdowns and world-class surfing from current World No. 1 Italo Ferreira (BRA), No. 2 Ethan Ewing (AUS), and No. 3 Yago Dora (BRA) pushed them through a blistering week of competition. Their respective Quarterfinal finishes were enough to secure them into the second half of the season and clear of the Mid-season Cut in hopes of finishing in the Top 5 for their opportunity at the 2025 World Title.
For highlights from the 2025 Surf City El Salvador Pro, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Surf City El Salvador Pro Women’s Final Results: 1 – Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 14.33 2 – Isabella Nichols (AUS) 11.74
Surf City El Salvador Pro Men’s Final Results: 1 – Jordy Smith (RSA) 14.26 2 – Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 9.33
Surf City El Salvador Pro Women’s Semifinal Results: HEAT 1: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 10.16 DEF. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 9.67 HEAT 2: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 13.33 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 8.27
Surf City El Salvador Pro Men’s Semifinal Results: HEAT 1: Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 13.84 DEF. Crosby Colapinto (USA) 9.50 HEAT 2: Jordy Smith (RSA) 15.67 DEF. Cole Houshmand (USA) 10.00
Join us for some special screenings of the “The Cigarette Surfboard”
In May Ben Judkins and Taylor Lane will be in the UK and Ireland touring with their now world famous and award winning environmental Surf Documentary “The Cigarette Surfboard”.
You will be able to see the boards, watch the film and and attend a special Q+A with the film makers.
The film follows Taylor Lane as he builds a functional surfboard with 10,000 cigarette butts collected from California beaches. The Cigarette Surfboard becomes a platform to learn from professional surfers who are working to protect the ocean, and the symbol of a grassroots campaign to hold Big Tobacco accountable for their toxic, plastic waste. Surfing is the medium, but the message is universal.
The boards are ridden by Jack Johnson, Mikey February, Fergal Smith, Easkey Britton and a host of others, with a section on the founding of Surfers Against Sewage amongst many tales.
Dates and links to tickets below
MAY 6, 2025 (8pm) — Kenny’s Pub in Lahinch, Ireland
Congratulations to the winners of the Rip Curl GromSearch Portugal! The second European stop, organized in collaboration with the ASCC (Associação de Surf da Costa de Caparica) and the FPS (Portuguese Surfing Federation), was held on April 7th, 8th, and 9th in Costa da Caparica, near Lisbon.
With medium-sized waves at the beginning of the week and stronger conditions for the finals, the young Portuguese surfers clearly showed they are part of the next generation of European surf talent.
On the first day, the waves were a bit inconsistent, but the sets remained solid around 1m. Day two started off with small conditions but ended with powerful 1.5m sets, pushing the young riders to give it their all. In the Under-16 division, Jaime Veselko impressed everyone with a spectacular air on a wave scored 9.50 – a performance that also earned him the Oakley Best Heat Score award. The third and final day delivered swell just as solid as the day before, setting the stage for an exciting showdown in the finals.
But the GromSearch is more than just a surf comp – it’s a whole vibe. Between heats, the kids got to hang out with Francisco Alves (@xicobyxico), former pro surfer and social media personality, create artwork from plastic waste with Skeleton Sea, or try to beat their best score on the Oakley balance board.
Since its creation in 1999, the Rip Curl GromSearch has helped uncover many of the world’s top surfing talents. Former competitors include WSL champions and Olympic medalists such as Gabriel Medina (3x world champion), Stephanie Gilmore (8x world champion), Kauli Vaast and Caroline Marks (2024 Olympic champions).
In Portugal and beyond, Groms return every year with the same motivation: to push their limits, progress, and maybe one day earn their place on the Tour.
