Source: British Surfing Association – www.britsurf.co.uk

Quiksilver King of the Groms
After more than 15 years in Capbreton (Fra), the Quiksilver King of the Groms is on the move.   Europe's top young surfers aged 16 and under are all set to meet up on 7th and 8th August in Zarautz in the Basque Country, to compete in the European final. 

The contest will be held in the very same waves where Basque surfer Aritz Aranburu learned his trade. He is currently one of the seven Europeans on the ASP World Tour. Ten years after winning the Grommets Trophy (now the King of the Groms) Aritz Aranburu (Eus) will be sponsoring this 2009 edition.

Whilst the date and venue of the European final are changing, the concept remains the same:

- Qualifier events across Europe
- A European final at Zarautz from 7th to 8th August 2009

European qualifying dates:
France – 10 qualifiers
Brittany: 6/7 June (2 qualifiers)
Capbreton: 18 July (8 qualifiers)
UK – 4 qualifiers
Fistral Beach, Newquay: 4/5 July (2 qualifiers)
Watersplash, Jersey: 6/7 June (2 qualifiers)
Ireland – 1 qualifier
Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal:  20/21 June
Portugal – 5 qualifiers

Two wildcards are allocated to Francisco Alves and Henrique Rui. The 3 best surfers under 16 at the Pro Junior in Portugal will win their ticket to the European final.

Spain – 6 qualifiers
Galice, Razo: 11/12 July
Cantabria, Somo: 18/19 July
West Indies – 2 qualifiers
Martinique, Tartane: 12/13 April
Guadeloupe, Le Moule: 6/7 June
Saint Martin, Galion beach - Final: 10/11 May
 
Italy – 1 qualifier
Marina di Massa: 15 April to 31 May
Holland – 1 qualifier
Domburg: 21/24 May
Canaries – 2 qualifiers
Gran Canaria, Playa Cicer: 6/7 June (1 qualifier)
Tenerife – Playa las Americas: 13/14 June (1 qualifier)

The European Final
For the second year running, Quiksilver is organizing a European Final of the King of the Groms. From April onwards, the young surfers will be able to compete in qualifying events held across the continent, in an attempt to win their ticket to the final in Zarautz (Note: Qualifying is reserved for residents of the host country only).  In the final, thirty young surfers will come together at the Basque spot, Zarautz.

Up for grabs will be a place in the International Final, due to take place for the second consecutive year on the beaches of Hossegor, Seignosse, Capbreton and Saint Jean de Luz during the Quiksilver Pro France from 23 September to 4 October. Places are precious and only the top two from the European Final at Zarautz will go through to the international event.

UK Team Manager Spencer Hargraves  will be running the UK series with the first event being in Jersey in which last year’s winner Matt Chapman will be trying to defend his title . Then jumping across to Ireland, Quiksilver team rider Aaron Reid will be looking to make it three in row .

With the last of the three finishing in Newquay, Spencer said it’s a great format and stepping stone for the grommets and champions of tomorrow if they want to progress onto the big leagues and make a career out of surfing - a fantastic way to compete against the best grommets in Europe and the world!!!

About the International Surfing Association (ISA)
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980.

ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected six times since. The ISA's four Vice Presidents are Alan Atkins (Australia), Robin de Kock (South Africa), Mike Gerard (USA) and Karin Sierralta (Peru).

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