The first leg of the 2010 Rip Curl GromSearch series ran in pumping waves at Lakey Peak Sumbawa last weekend. Groms from all around the Lakey area took on the triple-overhead conditions in the under-16 division giving the judges a taste of the gutsy talent that is on offer in this region.

The evening before the event kicked off a meeting was called in Lakey Beach Inn where a unanimous decision was reached by the kids- some as young as nine years old - to hold the main event out at the peak, one of Indonesia's most perfect waves.

In the morning the crew were greeted with perfect conditions giving Rip Curl Indo's best team riders the opportunity to put on an amazing free-surfing display of tube riding skill and Aerial antics. Once the tide filled in with more water flooding over the shallow reef, contest officials decided it was time for the first heats of the day to be run.

From the first horn until the end of the under-16 finals in the early afternoon, the local boys ripped the peak to pieces with stand out performances including ten year old Andri Anwar, an existing Rip Curl team rider who signed another two year contract with Rip Curl during the event weekend.

Dominating the under-16's division were local boys Bombar, Mansur, Sin and Usman who slayed their way into a four man final with impressive late drops flowing turns not to mention the odd tube ride on some of the biggest set waves of the day. However, it was local boy Usman who took first place defeating Mansur in 2nd, Sin in 3rd and Bombar in 4th.

Usman and runner-up Mansur both walked away with tickets to the Rip Curl GromSearch National final to be held during the Rip Curl Surf 'n' Music festival at Kuta Beach on October 23rd.

For the under-14's the contest site was moved to the beach inside Lakey Pipe where the division was contested in fun two foot waves offering some playful sections for the remaining kids.

Winning the under-14's division was Ompu Imran, with Lakey Irmansyah in 2nd place, M.Sirajudin 3rd and Irfan 4th.

Rip Curl team manager Wayan Yudha said: ‘Were stoked to be welcomed by the local boys here at Lakey to run this event. It gives some of the youngest grommets a taste of competition surfing for the first time in a friendly, fun environment. This event also gives us a chance to look out for new up coming talent as some of Rip Curl's best team riders have been found during the GromSearch in this region in the past"

See you for the next Rip Curl GromSearch....