Groms to take to the waves at Sea Harvest Grommet Games

"The Grommet Games create a safe, structured and inspiring environment for young surfers to experience competitive surfing while learning important life skills."

SURFING NEWS - Twenty-three young surfers, also known as grommets or groms, from Eden have been selected to the Eden Surf Riders team for 2026.

They will represent the Garden Route in the Sea Harvest Grommet Games to be held in Muizenberg, Cape Town, on 14 and 15 March.

They hail from Still Bay, Mossel Bay, Victoria Bay, Buffalo Bay and Plettenberg Bay.

This year, more than 50 participants took part in the trials held in Plettenberg Bay and Mossel Bay.

"This junior surfing event is one of South Africa's leading provincial competitions for young surfers and brings together top grommets from across the country for a weekend of high-level competition and development," said Derrick de Necker of Eden Surf Riders.

Pathway

The event is an important platform for athlete development and competitive exposure, and is part of the pathway to higher-level competitive surfing.

It is supported by Surfing SA, Sea Harvest and the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

Young surfers aged U8 to U16 will participate in the games, and while surfing is at the heart of the competition, the games also include paddle battles, beach relays and team-based activities that build camaraderie and confidence.

"The Grommet Games create a safe, structured and inspiring environment for young surfers to experience competitive surfing while learning important life skills," said De Necker.

A new ruling introduced by Surfing SA in 2025 allows former competitors to participate in the Grommet Games again, provided that they did not make the finals of their specific age division in the previous year.

This ruling has been implemented to support development and give more young surfers continued opportunity for participation and growth.

The Eden Surf Riders teams include:

U8 boys: Pumlisa Madiavula

U10 girls: Yusrah Farao, Shayde du Plessis

U10 boys: Mannfred Swiggelar, Kando Vivier

U12 girls: Nikita Ras, Alakhe Mthetho, Zihle Moeti

U12 boys: Callen Gibson, Adam Thomas, Quin Swanepoel

U14 girls: Aria Kotze, Tiara Martins, Skyler Louw

U14 boys: Oliver Bean, Oliver Arvanitakis, Mickayle Loggenberg

U16 girls: Anika Mouton, Zoë Miller, Esaubellah Jansen

U16 boys: Lihle Ngubo, Duncan Kannemeyer, Likhakha Qhakancu.