Sandend Grom Comp 18th October 2025 – Final stop of the Scottish Surfing Junior Series
A perfect forecast delivered chest to head high waves, sunshine and light offshore winds for the long running Sandend Grom Comp. With a great team of helpers and judges, we managed to get through all of the competition in one day – it’s a slick operation and was made easier thanks to the loan of Aberdeen Surf Club’s judging trailer.
The first heats started early and it was clear to see the improving standards from the very first wave ridden. MC Campbell was getting very excited on the commentary with what was unfolding. There are so many younger surfers who have the confidence to surf unbroken waves and the top kids, both male and female, are impressing with their top to bottom surfing. The surfers are understanding the judging criteria and how to achieve the scores. The freesurfing saw some airs being thrown – it will be interesting to see these become part of their competition repertoire – who will be the first male and first female to stick an air reverse in a junior competition next year? The event scores are here https://liveheats.com/events/410699
U8 Expression Session
A bunch of budding rippers were pushed into waves by parents and helpers. They were having a great time showing their skills to the adoring fans. The micro-groms did so well and we look forward to watching their surfing journey take off from here.
U10 Final Results
Meri Clarke of North Shore Surf Club set the standard in the under 10 category with a single wave score of 6.33 in the semis. She continued her winning streak in the final, edging ahead of three Sandend Surf Club surfers; Holden Harper in 2nd, Bowie Watson in 3rd and Flora Castles in 4th. To see these kids taking on unbroken waves unassisted at their age, is really impressive
U12 Final Results
Tiree’s rising star, Reuben Milbourne, convincingly won the U12 division with a 9 point heat total. This also secured him the U12 Lost Shore Surf Resort Junior Series. Oscar Morgan from Aberdeen Surf Club, was a good distance ahead of the chasing pack, and secured 2nd place and the same in the Series. Belhaven’s Dylan Whaley finished a strong season with 3rd followed by the highest place female, Thurso’s Skye Brock in 4th, who’s Riding Interference (a drop-in) cost her her 2nd wave score. We’ve all done it too, Skye!
U14 Boys Final Results
In a talented U14 boys division, Kai Cruickshank from Fraserburgh, was on a tear throughout the season. His two good scores secured him the win and a hat trick of comps to take the U14 boy’s series.
Sebastian Ballantyne (also Fraserburgh) surfed really well to grab 2nd spot ahead of Belhaven shredder Joel Christopherson, who had been put in combination by Kai. Joel would have needed two scores to jump to 1st and tie the series, which would have resulted in a ‘surf-off’ scenario to decide the winner. It wasn’t to be Joel’s day, but he can be proud of 2nd in the Series with Seb and Aidan Innes tying in equal 3rd.
U14 Girls Final Results
In the biggest field of the day, Erin Paterson of Belhaven, took out another solid win (the first wave of the comp was nearly an excellent score with 3 big backhand hits) and fully deserved her take the U14 girls series. Sandend local, Maya Kobedza, used her local knowledge to take 2nd ahead of NSSC surfer, Olivia Sutherland and Tessa Russell of BHSC in 4th
U18 Boys Final Results
In another heat packed with talent, Tam Hood of Belhaven continued his excellent year, with consistent high performances to take the win and secure 1st place U18 in the series. Israel Noble (BSC) also surfed well for 2nd place ahead of Charlie Pugh (BHSC). Gabe Noble pushed his brother and the other competitors but had to settle for 4th on this occasion. The level on show here would have placed these surfers well in Scottish adult comps
18 Girls Final Results
The under 18 girls had been surfing well but the final was a quiet affair with the Series up for grabs. Selecting the waves with scoring potential proved to be the best strategy and Callie Cruickshank of Fraserburgh did this best to take another win and the big Series prize. Bea Brown (ASC) showed consistency for 2nd with Olivia MacKay of NSSC in 3rd and the youngest competitor in the final, Rosie Moore (BHSC) in 4th
Sunday saw much smaller surf, however there was enough for Scottish Surfing to run a training session, for the remaining juniors, on comp strategy and priority. Thank you to the parents who assisted by being human priority boards – a tricky task and good learning for everyone.
Event Sponsors
- Sandend Holidays
- Puffin Contracts
- Suds Surf School
- Vision Events
Series Sponsor
- Lost Shore Surf Resort
Photo Credits
- Photos courtesy of Mal Anderson & Paul Barlow
Acknowledgements
Thanks to the Sandend Community, Sandend Surf Club, Aberdeen Surf Club, all the volunteers, judges, photographers, spectators, lifeguard Greg and his Baywatch hat, T by the Sea, parents and kids for making it an amazing day. We finished the day with a beach fire and one of the most stunning Aurora displays, so thank you to Mother Nature for laying it on thick! Thanks to Paul Barlow for photos and Malcolm Anderson for video.
