Gnarabup trio blast off to east coast competition
Gnarabup surfing siblings Okie, Leila and Ily Fraser have joined 350 grommets from all over Australia at this weeks Hurley BL Blast Off in Sydneys Northern Beaches.
Now in its 13th year, Blast Off is the biggest grom competition in Australia and positions sold-out in a week.
Okie, 10, and Leila, 8, will compete in their age categories, while Ily, 5, is on the wait list for the six-year-old division, which only has eight lucrative spots.
If she gets her chance, it will be her first surfing competition.
The Margaret River Montessori School students are members of Cowaramup Bay Board Riders and credit their skills to parents, surf enthusiasts Yvette and Tim.
Year 5 student Okie is a regular on the competition circuit with third placings in the state rounds and Tajs Small Fries, despite being younger than many other competitors.
Okie, said he was keen to compete in the Eastern States for the first time.
“The waves in WA are a lot bigger so it is actually going to be harder for me,” he said.
“Im used to the bigger waves so Ill need to generate a lot more speed.”
The Blast Off contest is unique in that all groms get post session video analysis and coaching sessions for the first two rounds of the event.
The event was established by 1988 World Surfing Champion Barton Lynch to celebrate the coming of summer and contribute to Australias rich surfing heritage.
The family surf festival offers other activities such as the Blast Off Grom Summit, The welcome BBQ, Blast Off Idol and runs during the week to allow young surfers the run of the beach.
Every participant surfs at least two times before anybody is eliminated and heats are not scored on points. Instead, surfers are placed 1st to 6th based on their overall performance and are given advice and coaching to help them improve and assist them in the next round.
The waves in WA are a lot bigger so it is actually going to be harder for me. Im used to the bigger waves…"
Okie Fraser
The trios mother Yvette Fraser raved about the Blast Off competition because of this focus on development and giving the youngest surfers in the country an opportunity to compete.
She said it would be a proud moment to see the children take on the East Coast swells.
“It is so amazing to see how kids grow and blossom so quickly,” she said.
“I surf all time, but I say one thing to them and they take it on and seem to be able to just go and do it.”
While still young, the Mail had to ask the trio if they had the professional circuit in their sights.
Ily, 5, screamed yes,yes,yes, while her older sister and brother were more reserved.
“Mum wants us to be Pro,” Okie laughed.
“Wed like to,” Leila giggled.
“But dont want to put that pressure on ourselves. Thats a long way away.”
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Margaret River Mail
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