Surfing: Sensational Emi ready for Gromprix

Teenage surfing sensation Emi Campbell will aim to defend her Department of Sport and Recreation Gromprix crown when she and three fellow 8Denmark surfers hit South Side at Margaret River this weekend.

Picture by Laurie Benson: Denmark High School students Emi Campbell, Austin Taylor, Mitchell Sainty and Lachy Ross are ready to ride some waves.

They will be competing in the under-18 invitational contest.

Fresh of winning a State round at Gas Bay a fortnight ago, 14-year-old Emi said she was expecting some stiff competition in the girl’s division.

“I’m a bit nervous but I’ve competed there before so am pretty confident about it,” she said.

“There are going to be a lot more girls in it this year because a lot of them have stepped up and are more competitive.”

Taking a wealth of competition experience with her, The Denmark High School student’s form has been bolstered recently by a fitting choice of school subjects.

“I’ve spent a far bit of time in the water lately and it’s been made a bit easier because we’re doing surfing at school for physical recreation,” Emi laughed.

The Gromprix is an invitational junior event run alongside the ASP Prime Telstra Drug Aware Pro at Margaret River.

The event has attracted a huge line-up of international surfers including 11-time men’s ASP world champion Kelly Slater.

The 42 young contestants will also participate in workshops conducted by Surfing Australia’s national coaching director Martin Dunn and sport science manager Jeremy Sheppard to develop their professionalism.

Denmark surfers Lachie Ross, Mitch Saintly and Austin Taylor will contest the boys’ division.

Lachy, 13, who finished fifth in the event last year, hoped a spike in swell on the south coast today would help his preparation.

With a new board, the cheeky goofy footer said he was looking forward to competing against many of his mates.

josh.nyman@albanyadvertiser.com