This year is turning out to be a memorable one for surfer Chelsea Tuach.
Barbados’ 16-year-old surfing phenomenon captured her sixth international title of the year, when she won the title of “Hottest Female Grom,” after winning the 16-and-Under Girls’ Division of the Rip Curl Gromsearch 2012 in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Tuach, who is sponsored by ROXY, Red Bull, Dragon and Dakine, surfed well all day, using her power carves, vertical off-the-lips and tail slides to good effect in difficult and tricky beach break conditions, with waves ranging between two and three feet.
With this triumph, she qualified for the fourth consecutive year for the Rip Curl Gromsearch National Final to be held at the world famous Upper Trestles surf break in California on November 17.
This final is an invitation only event and brings together the best 16-and-Under surfers from the region for the chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to Bells, Australia, for the International Gromsearch Final.
Barbados will be well represented as Tuach will be joined by Dane Mackie and Che Allan, who both qualified at the New Smyrna event held in August.
“I am so excited to have the chance to surf the Gromsearch National Final again this year,” Tuach told reporters after her victory.
“I want to thank my coaches, Mike Lamm and Daniel Sacchi, my sponsors and all those who continue to support me.”
Tuach is in California training with Lamm in preparation for several surf contests over the next few months. She is also taking an online diploma course in nutrition from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. (RB/PR)