Geraldton’s Cruz Macdonald continues strong form after being crowned State surfing champion

WA’s best young surfers shone brightly over the weekend at the eighth stop of the 2022 Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps series with Geraldton’s Cruz Macdonald continuing his impressive season.

The Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps form a crucial part of the national development pathway for Australia’s growing number of ‘microgroms’.

The eighth event was held at Trigg beach over the weekend with good weather providing better than expected conditions as Macdonald finished runner-up in both the under-12s and under-14s boys divisions.

Macdonald had dominated the under-12 division winning his heat, quarter-final and semi before missing out to Jasper Glossop in the final who scored 15.16 to Macdonald’s 9.16.

Glossop an international from Indonesia had put himself in the driver’s seat with an 8.33 on his first wave, a score that no one could match as Macdonald recorded the highest score of just 2.33 in his first three waves.

Looking at finishing off the podium after such a strong run to the final Macdonald saved his best until last, pulling at a 6.83 to move himself up the board and secure second place.

Macdonald was equally dominant in the under-14s division winning his heat and quarter-final before finishing second in his semi to reach the final.

There he would again finish runner-up to Cruz Uros, the under-14 State champion who dominated the final with a 16.63, by far the highest score of the weekend. Macdonald ended up on a 9.83 after 4.40 and 5.43 on his second an third waves.

The event was held a week after the Surfing WA 2022 State Champion presentations where Macdonald was crowned the under-12s State champion.

Macdonald finished on 13,385 points, more than 2500 ahead of his nearest rival while taking home a respectable sixth place in the under-14s division.

Held at Surfing WA’s new facility at Trigg Beach, the event honoured the outstanding achievements of all codes and age groups ranging from under-12s through to over-70s.

“We congratulate all of our 2022 State champions and surfers of the year,” Surfing WA CEO Mark Lane said.

“We understand the dedication and commitment it takes to reach that level, and I commend them all on their fantastic achievement.”

Despite missing out on a win on the weekend, Macdonald was awarded the Woolworths Fresh Move Award, reserved for the best and fairest male and female surfers of the event who displayed a high degree of sportsmanship.