When an all-time swell arrives at the same time as the most frothing groms in the country, you just know the result will be epic. That’s what happened at the 2022 The Connect Group South Island Grom Series New Brighton surf comp this past weekend.
Dawn at New Brighton Pier.Groms at the prizegiving for Day 3.The swell that just kept on giving.Rocco sliding tail.The Dunedin groms at sunrise.New sponsor making it all happen.Misha Peyroux on her way to a win in the Under 18s.Happy 49th Daniel Gabbott.Jesse Frazerhurst, Under 14 winner.Dave Entwisle chewing nails.Sonny Lyons on fire at New Brighton.Keo Morrison hacking an emerald wall.Plenty of swell still on Day 2.Remy Sale a complete standout.Lenka and Cargs from WestportTessa Gabbott on her way to the Under 14 final.Jack Higgins proving to be a competitor to watch.Sam Frazerhurst looking strong in early heats.Peaks for miles in every direction.Jump rock.Tava Santorik slicing.Tama Te Kauwhata and Jake Owens.Alexis Owens on the hunt.Rakiatea Tau, flawless.Tessa Gabbott cranked.Louis McKenzie aging with stress.Karne GabbottNathan and Tao after the Under 18s win and leash drama.Jack Tyro on form.The pier at New Brighton, Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo: Derek MorrisonJake Owen hitching to Dunners.Tao Mouldey lifting the game.Rewa Morrison ejected.Ben Moretti.Karne Gabbott shredding.Head judge Nudge and Ben Moretti.Bomb sets.Poppy Entwisle masterful on her way to two wins.Karne Gabbott.Rewa and Tessa loving the camper life.Tyler Perry beneath the pier.Misha Peyroux.Nathan caddys for Tao during the final.Tyler Perry.Rewa Morrison making finals.Scotty Heasley watches Campbell’s heat.Tao Mouldey takes the game out the back where the judges like it.Jake Owen, unlucky in New Brighton.Rocco out of the lip.Misha and Rewa.Tyler Perry focused.The judges’ den.Jack Tyro on form.Beau Woods doing the North Island crew proud.Rick Tau watches Rocco’s heat unfold.Jack McKenzie on a runner.Northland’s Ben Moretti.Rewa Morrison and mum Rachael.Rakiatea Tau on his way to the finals.Will Hardie on the charge.Taj Millar Dal Bosco on form.