After an epic day of big storm surf waves at Bells Beach and progressive surfing performances by a crop of the world's best young surfers, Dylan Lightfoot (17, South Africa) and Tatiana Wetson-Webb (15, Kauai, Hawaii) emerged victorious at the Rip Curl International GromSearch.
In the Boys Final, Lightfoot scored an 8.5 and an 8.43 on two impressive rides which saw him tear apart the burly Bells waves on offer. Brazil's Filipe Toledo was nipping at his heels the entire Final. After demolishing his third wave for a 9.33, Toledo nearly caught a potentially heat-winning wave in the dying seconds, but came up less than a point short with a 6.73 score. Cameron Richards (USA) finished third, with a total heat score of 13.00, and Tommy Boucaut (AUS) took fourth with 8.93.
In the Girls Final, Wetson-Webb sealed victory on her final wave of the heat, scoring a 8.33 for a series of powerful turns on a ride all the way through the Bowl and to the beach. Wetson-Webb finished with 14.00, followed by Ella Williams (New Zealand) in second with 12.23, Stephania Single (AUS) in third place with 11.33, and Leticia Canales (Spain) in fourth place with 7.00.
Rip Curl International GromSearch Boys Final
1st Dylan Lightfoot (ZAF) 16.93
2nd Filipe Toledo (BRA) 16.06
3rd Cameron Richards (USA) 13.00
4th Tommy Boucaut (AUS) 8.93
Rip Curl International GromSearch Girls Final
1st Tatiana Wetson-Webb (HAW) 14.00
2nd Ella Williams (NZ) 12.23
3rd Stephania Single (AUS) 11.33
4th Leticia Canales (EUK) 7.00
