Kehu Butler Wins Skullcandy
Photos: WSL/Ethan Smith
LENNOX HEAD BEACH (Wednesday, 18 July 2018) - Eight new champions were crowned today at the 2018 Skullcandy Oz Grom Open presented by Vissla following a morning of stacked heats in challenging one-foot-surf.
Te Kehukehu Butler (NZL) claimed his first WSL Pro Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) victory for 2018, taking out the coveted Men’s Pro Junior division. The powerful Kiwi natural-footer didn’t let the small waves stop him from posting big scores, nailing an excellent 8.27 scoring wave to get the edge over his opposition. To sweeten the win, Butler was greeted by the traditional Maori Haka when he made his way to the beach.
“I’m feeling great after that,” said Butler. “I thought I was done for in that heat, but as I sat in the hole in the break, a wider wave came to me which allowed me to get the win. I’ve been doing this event in Lennox since I was really young and next year I’ll be too old to do it. I’m going to miss hanging up the top in the park before my heats and playing rugby, so it’s a little sad, but it’s definitely a good way to finish up my time competing here.”
The six-day event ran from 13 July –18 July and comprised of a World Surf League (WSL) sanctioned Pro Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) event as well as an elite competition for promising grommets in the 12, 14 and 16 year age divisions.
WSL Pro Junior Men’s Final
1 – Te Kehukehu Butler (NZL)
2 – Callum Robson (Evans Head, NSW)
3 – Xavier Huxtable (Jan Juc, Vic)
4 – Dextar Muskens (Tweed Heads, NSW)
WSL Pro Junior Women’s Final
1 – Nyxie Ryan (Lennox Head, NSW)
2 – Zahli Kelly (Cabarita, NSW)
3 – Alyssa Lock (Tweed Heads, NSW)
4 – Molly Picklum (Shelly Beach, NSW)
In a similar vein to preceding years – where the event has attracted surfers from ten different countries – a full international field is again expected in 2018 with surfers coming from as far away as Europe, USA and Japan to make up a field of more than 220 surfers across all divisions.
All event divisions results are available via - skullcandyozgromopen.com.au
The 2018 Skullcandy Oz Grom Open presented by Vissla is proudly supported by Skullcandy, Vissla, Ballina Shire Council, Le-Ba Boardriders, WSL and Surfing NSW.
Related Posts
Skullcandy Gash Gore: Oct-Nov Winner. →
Skullcandy Gash Gore WINNER Sept/Oct →
Quiksilver Wetsuits 2019 →
