Check out these kiff shots from Kody McGregor of all the action at the recent Billabong SA Grommet Games. Lighties ripping!!

Nelson Mandela Bay Surfriders hosted yet another successful Billabong SA Grommet Games at Pipe over Easter. Check out all the shots from Kody McGregor

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/AUS (Monday, March 28, 2016) - The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach witnessed high drama today as a bevy of top seeds were knocked out of the competition in the back half of Men’s Round 3.The second stop on the World Surf League (WSL) Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour (CT), the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, saw massive scores and hard-fought match-ups go down in four-to-six foot (1.5 - 2 metre) waves at the world renowned Bells Beach.
Mick Fanning (AUS), three-time WSL Champion and four-time event winner, blazed through Round 3 to eliminate event wildcard Dusty Payne (HAW). Fanning and Payne charged for waves in the opening heat of the day, but it was Fanning who solidified the win with two eight-point rides. The Australian will continue to chase a fifth Bells Title.
“Down here at Bells you can see the huge crowd and it's amazing, and you hear everything out there, which is really cool,” Fanning said. “Just looking back on this whole grandstand and this natural amphitheater, it is such a beautiful place. This is one of my favorite events. I am just wanting to put on a performance and enjoy my time here.”
The 2016 WSL rookie class came out swinging today with huge upsets in elimination Round 3 with Conner Coffin (USA), Caio Ibelli (BRA) and Davey Cathels (AUS)eliminating Joel Parkinson (AUS), John John Florence (HAW) and Gabriel Medina (BRA), respectively.
Conner Coffin (USA) knocked out CT veteran and three-time event winner, Joel Parkinson (AUS) in Heat 9. Parkinson unleashed a variety of clean maneuvers to earn a 14.56 two-wave combined score, but the Californian rookie turned on his power game to defeat the CT veteran with two eight-point rides.
“The waves are really fun when you get the right one, but you have to pick them,” Coffin said. “That was my goal against Joel, just to pick the right waves and give my best. The last time I surfed against Joel, man-on-man, was at Trestles a couple of years ago when I had a wildcard from Hurley, and he smoked me. I learned a lot from surfing against him that time, so it is nice to have had those opportunities in the past and use that going forward.”
Caio Ibelli (BRA) charged against John John Florence (HAW) to defeat the CT superstar by only 0.04 points. Florence locked in a 15.50 two-wave combined score, but Ibelli chased to better his situation right until the final buzzer to secure the win.
“I found those last two waves halfway through the heat,” said Ibelli. “I decided to trade my board for a bigger board than I was riding yesterday and it worked. I am really happy to make it through this heat.”
Davey Cathels (AUS) defeat Gabriel Medina (BRA) to end his run for a Bells victory with a 15.40 two-wave combined score. Medina, the 2014 WSL Champion, experienced a slight hiccup with a lost board in the last ten minutes of the heat and was not able to find the waves for a comeback against the rookie.
“When I’m up against those good guys, I am not worried I am going to get beat because it can happen,” said Cathels. “I am excited to come up here and take out some big names. I am happy the way I surfed that heat. I had a gameplan and stuck to it. I was trying to sell Gabriel on some bad waves and I just tried to pick smart with bigger ones.”
Heat 10 saw Kelly Slater (USA), eleven-time WSL Champion and four-time event winner, eliminated from the competition by Michel Bourez (PYF). Although Slater dropped the highest scoring ride of the heat, an 8.37, he could not find the 6.46 required to close the gap on Bourez.
The day’s action was capped off with the WSL Heritage Series heat between 1988 World Champion Barton Lynch (AUS) and two-time World Champion (1987, 1991) Damien Hardman (AUS). Despite the challenging lineup, but icons surgically dismantled the tricky Bells conditions on their backhand, with Lynch walking away the victory.
High Res Images from this event available for editorial use via Reuters
Highlights from the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will be webcast LIVE atWorldSurfLeague.com.
For more information, log onto WorldSurfLeague.com
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Remaining Round 3 Results:
Heat 7: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.60 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 11.57
Heat 8: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.33 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 13.26
Heat 9: Conner Coffin (USA) 16.27 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.26
Heat 10: Michel Bourez (PYF) 14.83 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 13.70
Heat 11: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 15.54 def. John def. John Florence (HAW) 15.50
Heat 12: Davey Cathels (AUS) 15.40 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 12.07
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 4 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA), Nat Young (USA), Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 2: Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Mason Ho (HAW)
Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS), Jordy Smith (ZAF), Conner Coffin (USA)
Heat 4: Michel Bourez (PYF), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Davey Cathels (AUS)
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach Round 4 Match-Ups:
Heat 1:  Alessa Quizon (HAW) vs. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF)
Heat 2: Malia Manuel (HAW) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Heat 3: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS)
Heat 4: Bronte Macaulay (AUS) vs. Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW)

Cape Town Surfriders make it five in a row as they win the Mandela Bay Trophy at the 2016 Billabong Grommet Games in Port Elizabeth
 
Sunday March 27th - Cape Town Surfriders Grommet Team made it five wins in a row when they took overall honours at the 2016 Billabong SA Grommet Games which was completed in 2 foot surf and offshore conditions at the Pipe, Pollock Beach in Port Elizabeth today.
 
The team in blue and white beat the hosts, Nelson Mandela Bay to win the coveted Mandela Bay Trophy which goes to the team that posts the highest points after the four days of competition both in and out of the water.
 
An ecstatic Cape Winelands team not only produced their best performance in the history of the 24 year event to take a deserved third place overall but their energy, enthusiasm and support for each other throughout the event also earned them the coveted Team Spirit Award.
 
eThekweni, who were last year’s runners up in the overall standings had to settle for fourth this year while their neighbours, UGU came fifth overall and will be proud of the performance of their motivated team. Sixth placed Buffalo City and seventh placed Eden both produced a number of individual successes but did not have the depth in numbers to feature higher up in the overall results.
 
In an exciting Tag Team Final Cape Town successfully defended their 2015 title, beating Nelson Mandela Bay into second place in the final. Buffalo City were third and Ugu took fourth place.
Despite finishing second in both the overall team competition and the Tag Team Final, Nelson Mandela Bay won the Surfing Award which goes to the team that scores the most points across the eight surfing divisions.
 
The Cape Town Surfriders Grommet Team’s dominance at this unique 24 year old event is a credit to the commitment shown by Team Management Barbara Johnson and Robert Scott and the preparation of the team by Head Coach, Craig Johnson and his assistant, Papi Makanyane.
 
Close to 100 girls and boys from seven districts took part in the annual event which is Surfing South Africa's premier entry level inter-provincial tournament. Sponsorship from Billabong, funding from Sport and Recreation South Africa, support from Lotto and friendly hosting by Nelson Mandela Bay Surfriders ensured that the 24th edition of the SA Grommet Games was a success once again.
 
The Grommet Games were coordinated with great skill once again by Event Director Shirley Fairall and her team while Contest Director Brian Abrahams, Head Judge Merrick Fairall and his officials did a great job over the four days of competition.
 
Surfing South Africa Vice President Johnny Bakker represented Surfing South Africa at the event while Grant Beck and Billabong Team ensured that the SA Grommet Games was a standout on the annual Surfing South Africa calendar. 
 
In the individual surfing categories, the youngest winners were Gabriella Herbst of eThekweni and David Emslie of Buffalo City, who won the Under 9 Girls and Boys Divisions respectively. The Under 11 Girls and Boys Champions were Zia Hendricks of Nelson Mandela Bay and C-Jay Posthumus of Nelson Mandela Bay.
 
Joining Buffalo City team mate and U9 Champion David Emslie as division winners were Zoe Steyn and Daniel Emslie who took gold in the Under 13 Girls and Under 13 Boys Finals respectively. Daniel Emslie was also named as Surfer of the Contest.
 
The Under 15 Girls gold medal went the way of Kaisea Button of Cape Town and Daniel Orpen of Nelson Mandela Bay won the Under 15 Boys Final.
 
Chelsea Clotz of Nelson Mandela Bay was awarded the Sportsmanship Trophy and KZN based Sisonke Ndumndum was presented with the Judge of the Contest Award. Paddle battle honours went the way of Kaisea Button and her brother Sam of Cape Town Surfriders,Kitty Ribbink of eThekweni and Prince Hlonga of Ugu won the girls and boys junior Flags titles while the girls and boys senior Flags gold medals went to Shana Zunckel of Nelson Mandela Bay and Simakele Rooi of Cape Town Surfriders.
 
The full results and a gallery of photos are posted on www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za
 
The SA Grommet Games is a national tournament with a primary focus on transformation and development within the sport. Strict criteria must be followed when selecting teams for the four days of competition. While the main focus of the event is on surfing, participation in events such as a Paddle Battle, Beach Flags and a Tag Team contest are an integral part of the Grommet Games activities.
 
RESULTS : 2016 BILLABONG SA GROMMET GAMES
 
SURFING
 
U9 Girls    
1st                Gabriella Herbst                ETK                            
2nd               Anastasia Venter               CW                      
3rd                Emma Wise                      CTS                           
4th                Alyx Currin                        BC
5th                Issataya Bredell                 NMB
 
U9 Boys      
1st                David Emslie                     BC                                                                      
2nd               Josh Malherbe                   BC                                                        
3rd                Matthew Canning              ETK
4th                Bryce Hoppe                     ETK                            
                                               
                                               
U11 Girls      
1st                Zia Hendricks                    NMB                                                         
2nd               Kitty Ribbink                      ETK                                    
3rd                Emma Bedser                   BC                         
4th                Saffiya Moodlier                 CW                                                             
                                               
U11 Boys     
1st                C-Jay Posthumous            NMB                                                    
2nd               Joel Fowles                       BC                                                       
3rd                Ethan Currin                      BC                        
4th                River Gericke                            
                                               
U13 Girls      
1st                Zoe Steyn                         BC                                               
2nd               Ceara Knight                     CTS                        
3rd                Che Du Plessis                  CW                                                           
4th                Sune Chadwick                  CW                                                   
                                               
U13 Boys     
1st                Daniel Emslie                    BC                                                            
2nd               Nicholas Lombard              CW                                                         
3rd                Matthew O Brien               BC                                                              
4th                Brad Scott                         CTS                                     
                                               
U15 Girls      
1st                Kaisea Button                    CTS
2nd               Casey Mussel                    CTS                                            
3rd                Danella Finlayson              CW                                                       
4th                Rentia Tromp                    CW                             
                                               
U15 Boys     
1st                Daniel Orpen                     NMB
2nd               Ashwin Petersen                CW
3rd                Simakele Rooi                   CTS
4th                Sam Button                       CTS
 
2016 GROMMET GAMES ACADEMY SQUAD ( individuals recognized for their surfing performances at the Grommet Games)
BOYS
Daniel Orpen (NMB),Sam Button (CTS),Simakele Rooi (CTS),Ashwin Petersen (CW),Spe Shangase (ETK),Jayden Toby (NMB),Ntando Nqadala (CTS),Nicholas Lombard (CW),Daniel Emslie (BC),
Brad Scott (CTS),Matt O’ Brien (BC), Ernie Prinsloo (NMB), Jordan Boshoff (UGU),C-Jay Posthumous (NMB)
GIRLS
Casey Mussel (CTS),Kaisea Button (CTS),Danella Finlayson (CW),Rentia Tromp (CW),Tobuku Ndlovu (NMB),Maya Attfield (UGU),Ceara Knight (CW),Che Du Plessis (CW),Zoe Steyn (BC),
Sune Chadwick (CW),Zia Hendricks (NMB)
                                               
TEAM RESULTS : MANDELA BAY TROPHY FOR THE OVERALL EVENT CHAMPIONS 
             
1st                Cape Town                      35307
2nd                Nelson Mandela Bay          29935
3rd                Cape Winelands                26992                                              
4th                eThekweni                        22144                                           
5th                Ugu                                  19529
6th                Buffalo City                       19480
7th                Eden                                19250
 
TAG TEAM
1st                Cape Town               
2nd                Nelson Mandela Bay
3rd                Buffalo City
4th                Ugu                     
 
SURFING TROPHY
Nelson Mandela Bay
                                                                         
TEAM SPIRIT AWARD  
Cape Winelands
 
SURFER OF THE CONTEST
Daniel Emslie (Buffalo City)
 
 
JUDGING RECOGNITION AWARD
Sisonke Ndumndum
                                                                        
 
BEACH FLAGS
U9 & U11 Girls
1st      Kitty Ribbink                      ETK
2nd     Zia Hendricks                     NMB
3rd      Zoey Thompson                UGU
4th      Emma Bedser                   BC
 
U13 & U15 Girls                  
1st      Shana Zunckel                  NMB
2nd      Kaisea Button                   CTS
3rd      Casey Mussel                   CTS
4th      Faieka Cupido                   CTS
 
U9 & U11 Boys
1st      Prince Hlonga                    UGU
2nd      Jaydin Van Louw               CTS
3rd      Bryce Hoppe                     ETK
4th      CJ Posthumous                 NMB
 
U13 & U15 Boys                             
1st      Simakele Rooi                   CTS
2nd      Isaac Van Zyl                    CW
3rd      Sam Button                       CTS
4th      Nicholas Lombard              CW
 
PADDLE BATTLE
Girls  
1st      Kaisea Button                    CTS
2nd      Zoe Steyn                         BC
3rd      Ceara Knight                     CTS
4th      Danella Finlayson              CW
 
Boys             
1st      Sam Button                       CTS
2nd      Nicholas Lombard             CW
3rd      Ashwin Petersen               CW
4th      Timothy Shelver                NMB
 
 
The 2016 South African Grommet Games was presented and run by Surfing South Africa and hosted by Nelson Mandela Bay Surfriders. Surfing South Africa (SSA) is the recognised governing body for the sport of surfing in South Africa. SSA is a member of the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).

​All images Petronel Posthumus
​

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/AUS (Saturday, March 26, 2016) - The world’s best surfers put in a marathon day today at Victoria’s historic Bells Beach as the remaining six heats of men’s Round 1 as well as women’s Rounds 2 and 3 were completed at the Rip Curl Pro.

The second stop on the World Surf League (WSL) Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour (CT), today’s Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach saw clean, lined-up conditions for the world’s best surfers and the red-hot surfing and surprising results that have defined this season early on were in full flight once again today.Current Jeep Leaderboard World No. 1 Matt Wilkinson (AUS) is off to a solid start at Bells, taking the lead in Heat 9 against Kolohe Andino (USA) and Miguel Pupo (BRA). Andino challenged Wilkinson with his air-game, but it was not enough to close the 1.10 point gap.
“Hopefully I can keep the Jeep WSL Leader jersey for a while,” Wilkinson said. “That kind of success early in the year shows what the hard work can do, and I want to keep doing it. We will see how well I can do this year.”
Joel Parkinson (AUS) will continue his hunt for a fourth Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Title, as he will advance to Round 3. Injury replacement Sebastian Zietz (HAW) and CT veteran Taj Burrow (AUS) will be sent to elimination Round 2.
“Bells is one of those places where you have to surf safe enough to get a score,” Parkinson said. “If I had to find another one of those waves, I’d lose the heat because I might not have gotten another opportunity. You just have to be on the best waves. Seabass [Sebastian Zietz] is probably a little more inexperienced here, but his surfing at the moment is unbelievable. If he was on the waves I had, he probably would have won the heat.”
Eleven-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA) was knocked to Round 2 by CT veteranKai Otton (AUS). Slater struggled to find the waves to combat Otton’s 13.60 two-wave combined score. 2016 WSL rookie Alex Ribeiro (BRA) fought to advance to Round 3, but like Slater, fell short and will battle in Round 2.
“Any heat you have with Kelly you have to bring your A game,” said Otton. “Especially in these conditions today, it was pretty incredible out there. The heat just went really lully and that benefited me. Kelly can get a 7.5 any day of the week so that fact that the waves cooperated for me, I was blessed.”
In non-elimination Women’s Round 3, competitors went all out to battle for first position and the right to skip Round 4 and advance directly into the Quarterfinals.
Carissa Moore (HAW), reigning World Champion and last year’s event winner, battled against Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) and Malia Manuel (HAW) for a spot in the Quarterfinals. Moore continued her dominance at Bells with a 15.27 two-wave combined score. Buitendag tried her luck at Rincon, but was unable to find the waves that would challenge Moore. Manuel battled hard to combat Moore’s power surfing, but could not break the combination.
“Having three women out there and figuring out priority - with trying to get enough waves to display what they are made of - is tricky at times,” said Moore. “Sometimes I get caught up in the last priority in the beginning of the heat, but I am stoked.”
A tight race between current rankings leader, Tyler Wright (AUS), Johanne Defay (FRA) and injury replacement Bronte Macaulay (AUS) saw limited waves throughout the heat. Defay snuck in the winning ride and will advance to the Quarterfinals. Wright could not find the waves to combat Defay and Macaulay’s scores, and she will be sent to Round 4 for the first time this year.
“I was going crazy because I was thinking I needed to go to Rincon, and then all of a sudden the girls were paddling the other way, and then I saw there was a set, and then I thought I should go back to Rincon,” said Defay. “I just kept doing this the whole heat. I knew I only needed to get one point, so I decided to just do the best I could.”
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) is heating up in this competition, as she cruised through Round 3, defeating Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), six-time World Champion and three-time event winner, and Alessa Quizon (HAW). Fitzgibbons showcased her new and improved flow by surfing with drawn-out rail moves and strong turns. Although Gilmore had a strong performance in her Round 2 head-to-head match-up against Laura Enever (AUS), she could not find the waves to defeat her fellow Title contender. Gilmore and Quizon will battle in Round 4 to stay in contention for a win at Bells Beach.
“I was really looking forward to the match-up,” Fitzgibbons said. “Alessa has been in great form, and I’ve never had a three-woman heat with Steph. I thought I would try to surf that really smart and it is a challenging day. It was a rewarding feeling to move straight to the Quarters.”
Courtney Conlogue (USA) blazed through Round 4 against 2015 Rookie of the Year,Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), and local favorite Nikki Van Dijk (AUS). The women went wave for wave in this match-up, but it was Conlogue who delivered the two highest scores of the heat. Weston-Webb and Van Dijk will battle in elimination Round 4 to stay in contention for a win at Bells Beach.  
“I know Bells loves patience,” said Conlogue after her heat. “You just pick the waves when you get priority where you can maximize and I just had to keep good scores, so that is what I was trying to do out there. My wave count was definitely low, but with higher scores.”
Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow at 8am local time to assess conditions for a possible start tomorrow morning.
The Surfline forecast is calling for:
Solid on Sunday with overhead to double overhead+ sets, while moderate SW-SSW winds prevail. Plenty of surf lining up for all next week as well, with possibly a another sizable pulse next weekend the 2nd-3rd. Wind generally from the southerly direction for the next several days.
High Res Images from this event available for editorial use via Reuters
Highlights from the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will be webcast LIVE atWorldSurfLeague.com.
For more information, log onto WorldSurfLeague.com
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Remaining Round 1 Results:
Heat 7: Kai Otton (AUS) 13.60, Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 8.44, Kelly Slater (USA) 7.17
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.33, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 13.87, Taj Burrow (AUS) 8.80
Heat 9: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 13.40, Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.30, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.24
Heat 10: Nat Young (AUS) 12.10, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.53, Ryan Callinan (AUS) 9.50
Heat 11: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 12.00, Matt Banting (AUS) 11.90, Josh Kerr (AUS) 8.87
Heat 12: John John Florence (HAW) 14.50, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.10, Jadson Andre (BRA) 9.10
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 2 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Tim Stevenson (AUS)
Heat 2: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Mason Ho (HAW)
Heat 3: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Timothee Bisso (GLP)
Heat 4: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 6: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Alex Ribeiro (BRA)
Heat 7: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Sebastian Zietz (HAW)
Heat 8: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Heat 9: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS)
Heat 10: Stuart Kennedy (AUS) vs. Matt Banting (AUS)
Heat 11: Conner Coffin (USA) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 12: Keanu Asing (HAW) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 13.60 def. Chelsea Tuach (BRB) 7.00
Heat 2: Alessa Quizon (HAW) 10.67 def. Sage Erickson (USA) 10.50
Heat 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 12.67 def. Brisa Hennessy (HAW) 8.73
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 12.10 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 10.50
Heat 5: Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 14.00 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 11.83
Heat 6: Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 11.57 def. Keely Andrew (AUS) 11.50
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 11.66, Alessa Quizon (HAW) 10.40, Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 4.77
Heat 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.27, Malia Manuel (HAW) 8.60, Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 6.30
Heat 3: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 14.50, Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 11.10, Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 6.76
Heat 4: Johanne Defay (FRA) 7.10, Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 6.36, Tyler Wright (AUS) 4.83
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach Round 4 Match-Ups:
Heat 1:  Alessa Quizon (HAW) vs. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF)
Heat 2: Malia Manuel (HAW) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Heat 3: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS)
Heat 4: Bronte Macaulay (AUS) vs. Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW)

The annual Billabong SA Grommet Games kicked off in lekker weather and kiff surf at Pipe on Thursday. Perfect grom-sized waves.

Check out all the day's results here http://www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za/2016-billabong-sa-grommet-games/

All images Petronel Posthumus

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/AUS (Friday, March 25, 2016) - Action at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, the second stop on the World Surf League (WSL) Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour (CT), continued today with the opening half of Round 1.Adriano De Souza (BRA), reigning WSL Champion and former event winner, squeaked by in his Round 1 heat. Trials winner Tim Stevenson (AUS) challenged De Souza for the heat win, but was unable to find the second wave score to close the 0.63 point gap.Michel Bourez (PYF)  and Stevenson will fight through Round 2 to avoid an early elimination.
“Everyone was excited about how well Stevenson performed in that heat, so I am happy to make this heat,” De Souza said. “It was important for me to go straight to Round 3. We had a tough heat as waves disappeared and the tide was coming in, and I am lucky to have found the wave right before the buzzer.”  
Mick Fanning (AUS), three-time World Champion and four-time event winner, charged into Round 1 and posted a solid 16.93 two-wave score to defeat Keanu Asing (HAW)and event wildcard Mason Ho (HAW). Fanning’s jump to Round 3 puts him in a strong position to hunt down a fifth Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Title. The Hawaiians will compete in Round 2.
“I think on the Gold Coast I was more outward, so in this event I try to turn it more towards me,” Fanning said after his heat. “I am still feeling free and relaxed and just approaching it a bit different. It’s calmer down here at Bells. You can get some more quiet time, where at home it’s pretty hectic.”
Gabriel Medina (BRA), 2014 WSL Champion, found success in Heat 4 against 2016 WSL rookie Conner Coffin (USA) and Timothee Bisso (GLP). Medina earned a two-wave combined score of 13.84 to secure his lead and advance to Round 3. Coffin and Bisso were not able to find the second wave scores to challenge the Brazilian heavyweight.
“Gold coast was pretty fast for me because I lost in round three and after that I came straight to Bells,” said Medina. “I have been training and want to do well here. It’s a hard wave for goofy, but I’ve been training as hard as I can and want to get a good result.”
The all-Australian match-up saw Julian Wilson (AUS) defeat injury replacement Stuart Kennedy (AUS) and Adam Melling (AUS) to advance straight to Round 3. Kennedy, who caused massive upsets on the Gold Coast, fought to lead the heat, but could not put together a high enough combination to break Wilson’s 13.84. Melling and Kennedy will compete to avoid early elimination in Round 2.
“It was a little tricky out there this morning, but there were a few opportunities,” Wilson said. “I was trying to pick the right waves and I picked a couple of the set waves, which were tricky to surf, but I got a couple of scores.”
The 2016 rookie class saw strong performances today in Round 1, with Davey Cathels (AUS) and Kanoa Igarashi (USA) winning their heats to advance straight to Round 3.
Igarashi, whose last encounter at Bells ended with a broken leg, set a strong pace by posting a 7.67, the highest ride in his heat. Injury replacement and former CT charger,Dusty Payne (HAW) battled to regain the lead, but fell short by 1.37 points.
“The last time I was here was four years ago and I broke my leg,” Igarashi said. “I have only been here for about four to five days but I am around really good friends. I feel super comfortable and know exactly which waves I want because I have such good people around me.”
Davey Cathels (AUS) kicked off men’s Round 1 with a strong performance against fellow rookie Caio Ibelli (BRA) and CT veteran Jeremy Flores (FRA). Cathels posted a 15.20 two-wave combined score, leaving Flores 1.60 points short of the heat win. Cathels will advance to Round 3, while Flores and Ibelli will battle in elimination Round 2.
When competition resumes, up first will be Kelly Slater (USA), Kai Otton (AUS) andAlex Ribeiro (BRA) in Heat 7 of Round 1.
Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow at 8am local time to assess conditions for a possible recommencement.
The Surfline forecast is calling for:
Multiple SW swells will pulse in over the rest of the week, providing fun size surf for Bells and eventually peaking on Sunday the 27th with overhead to well overhead sets. Easing swell over the first half of next week, but plenty of surf still on tap for at least Mon/Tues. Watching for another possible run of fun size SW swell for around the 1st-3rd.

High Res Images from this event available for editorial use via Reuters

Highlights from the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will be webcast LIVE atWorldSurfLeague.com.
For more information, log onto WorldSurfLeague.com
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Davey Cathels (AUS) 15.20, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.60, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 10.00
Heat 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 13.84, Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 11.40, Adam Melling (AUS) 10.57
Heat 3: Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 14.04, Dusty Payne (HAW) 12.67, Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.46
Heat 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.84, Conner Coffin (USA) 11.37, Timothee Bisso (GLP) 10.53
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.93, Keanu Asing (HAW) 12.77, Mason Ho (HAW) 9.76
Heat 6: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 11.23, Tim Stevenson (AUS) 10.60, Michel Bourez (PYF) 9.00 
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Remaining Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 7: Kelly Slater (USA), Kai Otton (AUS), Alex Ribeiro (BRA)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Taj Burrow (AUS), Sebastian Zietz (HAW)
Heat 9: Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Kolohe Andino (USA), Miguel Pupo (HAW)
Heat 10: Nat Young (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Ryan Callinan (AUS)
Heat 11: Josh Kerr (AUS), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Matt Banting (AUS)
Heat 12: John John Florence (HAW), Jordy Smith (ZAF), Jadson Andre (BRA)

​Port Elizabeth will host the 24th edition of Billabong SA Grommet Games at Pollock Beach in Port Elizabeth from Thursday to Sunday.

Over 100 surfers representing six districts out of three provinces will compete in the 24th edition of the Billabong South African Grommet Games which gets under way at Pollock Beach in Port Elizabeth this Thursday and ends on Sunday.
 
The tournament is supported by Billabong, the Department of Sport and Recreation SA and the National Lotteries Commission and will officially get under way this Wednesday evening at7.00pm when the official opening function takes place in the Victoria Park Grey Primary School Hall.
 
A highlight of the evening is bound to be a presentation by respected South African Big Wave surfer, Matthew Bromley. The Billabong Team rider recently surfed some huge waves in Hawaii and his presentation on this experience is bound to enthrall the young surfers. Another Billabong surfer, Josh Enslin, will also be on hand on Wednesday night to share a few anecdotes on his Guinness World Record set at the Pipe in December last year.
 
The annual hosts of the SA Grommet Games are the Nelson Mandela Bay Surf riders.
 
The SA Grommet Games ( or SA Development Championships as it was called in the early 90’s) was Introduced into South African surfing culture after unification in 1991 and is a transformation and development tournament that gives young surfers from around the country an opportunity to compete for their respective districts in a major surfing contest. 
 
Many South African surfers who began their competitive surfing careers at the Grommet Games have gone on to compete in National Championships and other elite tournaments and a number have represented South Africa in International competitions.

The Billabong SA Grommet Games is regarded by Surfing South Africa as a vital and important tournament and takes its place with distinction alongside other major National events as a defining tournament on the Surfing South Africa calendar. 

Girls and boys from different backgrounds, communities and cultures are represented across the eight divisions with the youngest surfers in the contest competing in the Under 9 Boys and Girls Divisions and the oldest participants taking part in the competitive Under 15 Boys and Girls group.

The Grommet Games highlights the ongoing transformation process within Surfing South Africa and districts are set strict criteria when it comes to selecting their teams.
 
While much of the focus is on surfing, events such as a paddle battle, beach flags and a tag team surfing competition are included in the activities that take place over the four days.
 
The Team with the highest points total will take home the Mandela Bay Trophy, which was won by Cape Town Surf riders in 2015 while the team that displays the most spirit and support during the contest will win the coveted Team Spirit Trophy.
 
Teams competing at this year’s event are from City of Cape Town Surfriders, Cape Winelands Surfriders, Eden Surfriders, Buffalo City Surfriders Association, eThekweni Surfriders, Ugu Surfriders Association and the hosts, Nelson Mandela Bay Surfriders.
 
The Billabong SA Grommet Games is supported by Billabong, the Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa and Lotto. The event is presented by Surfing South Africa and hosted by the Nelson Mandela Surfriders.
 
Surfing South Africa is the recognized governing body for the sport in South Africa and a member of the South African Confederation of Sport and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).

​
Pollock Beach in Nelson Mandela Bay produces the goods at the 2016 PE Gromcomp

Saturday March 19th - Pollock Beach in Nelson Mandela Bay produced perfect 3 foot surf for the 50 surfers who participated in the PE Gromcomp, the second event in the Surfing South Africa Gromcomp programme.
 
Once again there were 1A Surfing South Africa PST points on offer as well as a share of R8000 in prize money and the young surfers, many of whom were competing in a national tournament, enjoyed the competitive conditions.
 
The popular U16 Boys Division was won by talented Pellsus local Dillan Hendricks with Jeffreys Bay surfer Arnold Vermaak taking second place. Sam Bennie of Vredehoek was third and Thomas Lindhorst of Port Elizabeth took the fourth spot in an entertaining final.
 
Julia Plougman of Scarborough pushed top seed Summer Sutton of Kommetjie into second place while another Cape Town surfer, Maya Shefer Boswell was third. Tayla de Coning of East London finished fourth in the final.
 
The Under 14 Boys gold medal went to Travis Pearce of Melkbosstrand with Sam Bennie of Vredehoek second ahead of Sam Button of Cape Town third and Reilly Mare of East London, fourth.
Summer Sutton took the honours in the U14 Girls Division and moves to the top of the PST ratings. Kelly Fenton of Port Elizabeth came second in this final with Lhea Johnston of East London taking third and Lisa Van Heerden of Melkbosstrand taking fourth place.
 
The U12 Division title went the way of Daniel Emslie of East London. Christian Venter of Melkbosstrand was second and East London surfers Matthew O Brien and Ethan Currin were third and fourth respectively.
 
David Emslie, son of current World Masters Champion Greg, won the U10 Division, beating his East London mate Joel Fowles into second place. Anastasia Venter of Melkbosstrand was third, Josh Malherbe of East London was fourth and Zia Hendricks of Pellsrus took the fifth spot in this final.
 
The Surfing South Africa Gromcomps cater for surfers in the U10 to U16 divisions and are a Surfing South Africa initiative which has been introduced onto the SSA calendar to improve the competitive edge of young South African surfers. The PE contest was the second of six that will be held at different venues during 2016.
 
The PE Gromcomp was supported by the National Lotteries Commission as part of the SSA youth development programme and supported by community sponsors Surf Centre, the Boardroom, Boardtalk, Decor Pro and Street Cred Chef. The event was hosted by Nelson Mandela Surfriders.
 
Surfing South Africa is the governing body for the sport in South Africa and is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).

DILLAN HENDRICKS - U16 DIVISION WINNER : PHOTO PETRO POSTHUMUS                                  
​SUMMER SUTTON – U14 GIRLS DIVISION WINNER : PHOTO PETRO POSTHUMUS