Photo: Rip Curl
The winners: Colin Deveze, Frankie Harrer, Colin
Moran, and Parker Coffin.

Photo: Rip Curl
16 & under winner Colin Moran.

Photo: Rip Curl
14 & under winner Parker Coffin.Coverage from Rip Curl:

The Rip Curl GromSearch presented by H2O Overdrive kicked off with a bang this past weekend, June 12-13th at 9th Street, Huntington Beach. The West Coast s top juniors took advantage of the peaky south swell and eagerly fought for the opportunity to qualify for the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final in Puerto Rico this fall.

Colin Moran brought Rajon Rondo dominance and finesse to his game as he lit up the 9th St. lineup, combo-ing the competition in the boys 16/under division final. Only one surfer, Taylor Clark, was in striking distance of Moran, but failed to achieve the perfect 10 he needed before the final horn blast. It was this fire that Colin displayed all event that proved no match for the other finalists. "The best surfers in the event made the 16 and under final and Colin earned it today," emphasized contest director, Darren Brilhart.

"I wanted it so bad going into that last final," expressed an agitated but excited Colin Moran during the awards presentation at the Huntington Beach Rip Curl Surf Center. "I lost to Parker [Coffin] in the 14 [and under] with two good scores, so not winning that last final was not an option."

With the win, Moran will be heading to the Rip Curl Pro Search in Puerto Rico with fellow finalists and close friends, Taylor Clark and Andrew Jacobson.

The 14/under final proved to be nothing short of spectacular and one of the best heats in the event. Double division finalists, Parker Coffin and Colin Moran battled back and forth exchanging the lead numerous times. Parker executed the heat with flawless style, compact power, and new school flare, claiming the 14/under title as rightfully his.

One thing was certain as boys 12/under winner Colin Deveze was hoisted to the shoulders of his peers: the kid knows what it takes to win in any situation and did so by throwing down man-sized hacks while standing a mere four feet above the ground.

The ladies 16/under final turned out to be the closest of the event as the ocean slowed and made wave selection even more critical. The back and forth rally that ensued was finally won by 12-year old Malibu surfer, Frankie Harrer. This talented gromette is sure to make her mark at the upcoming Puerto Rico GromSearch National Finals.

Hawaiian phenom Kaimana Jaquias stole the show with a freakish front-side blow tail reverse, wowing beach spectators, and nabbing the $100 cash prize for the 'H2O Overdrive Maneuver of the Event'. The 'Dragon High Heat Total of the Event' went to Colin Moran for his 16.5 combined score in the boys 16/under final and to Mahina Maeda, who put up a 14.07. Dragon Eyewear sent these two home with an extra $50 spot.

The GromSearch movement takes the fury across the Pacific to Kewalo Basin on Oahu s south shore on July 10. A big thanks goes out to all Rip Curl GromSearch sponsors, supporters, and partners: H2O Overdrive, Dragon Eyewear, Power Balance, Bubble Gum Surf Wax, Surfline, Surfing Magazine, Fuel TV, Wahoo s Fish Taco, Surf One Skateboards, Active.com, and the Shorebreak Hotel.

For post event coverage log on to surfingmagazine.com, surfline.com, and ripcurl.com/gromsearch. For all media inquiries, please contact Rip Curl marketing coordinator Chelsea Johns: cjohns@ripcurl.com.

OFFICIAL RESULTS OF STOP #1, 2010 RIP CURL GROMSEARCH FUELED BY H20 OVERDRIVE, 9th Street, Huntington Beach:

BOYS 16/under:

1. Colin Moran

2. Taylor Clark

3. Andrew Jacobson

4. Parker Coffin

BOYS 14/under:

1. Parker Coffin

2. Colin Moran

3. Ian Gentil

4. Kevin Schulz

BOYS 12/under:

1. Colin Deveze

2. Jake Marshall

3. Jacob Davis

4. Kalani David

GIRLS 16/under:

1. Frankie Harrer

2. Jasset Umbel

3. Shelby Detmers

4. Meah Collins

H20 Overdrive Maneuver of the Event: Kaimana Jaquias- $100

Dragon High Heat of the Event:

Colin Moran- $50

Mahina Maeda- $50