Cooper Roberts blasted his way to victory at the first stop of the 2025 Billabong Grom Series, presented by Oceanbridge and held at Mount Maunganui yesterday, claiming the Under-18 Boys division alongside Maya Mateja (Rag) in the Under-18 Girls division.

In a blustery day on the water, participants in the 20th anniversary of the surfing series were lucky to see a building 1m swell, despite being hampered by the strong northerly winds.

Conditions made it tough for all with most surfers heading 100m up the beach on the paddle out, before drifting into the event zone for their heats.

Roberts punctuated the final with a big air reverse for a near perfect 9.23-point ride and a 16.20 total.

It was Roberts’ maiden national win in New Zealand, having competed in the series for over five years.

The Mexico-based surfer originates from Mount Maunganui and had the local crowd cheering on his performance alongside his three clubmates in Tao Mouldey, Taimana Marupo and Zade Pitkeathly.

Mouldey looked sharp all weekend, posting big heat totals and backed up his national title with a runner-up finish at his hometown event while Taimana Marupo finished third in his first-ever event in the series and Zade Pitkeathly finished fourth, unable to replicate his last-minute heroics that saw him progress out of the semifinals earlier in the day.

Mateja secured her win with a 14.56-point heat total, her last wave of 7.73 sealing the win over her opponents.

Like Roberts, Mateja splits her time between New Zealand and Mexico and has returned for the summer events this year.

It was Sage Fritchley (Mount Maunganui) who challenged Mateja for the win and a 6.17-point ride on her last wave was enough to lock in her best result at a national level.

Ariana Walker finished the final in third place ahead of Taranaki’s Poppy Entwisle in fourth.

Sol Fritchley (Mount) claimed the Under-16 division alongside Alani Morse (Raglan) in the Girls division, the two surfers bouncing back from early losses at the National Championships a week prior.

Fritchley won the Under-14 division in 2024 and made the step up to the 16s look easy this weekend.

It was a close-fought final with three points separating first through fourth as clubmates Remy Sale and Zen Mouldey finished second and third respectively with Indica Corcoran (Raglan) finishing in fourth place.

For the girls, it was Indi-Lee Ruddell (Whangārei) who pushed Morse for the win with Kyra Wallis (Piha) in third and first-time finalist Isla McKay (Whangārei) fourth.

On Saturday it was Jaxon Pardoe (Gisborne) and Jade Nias Phillips (Ahipara) who claimed wins in the Under-14 divisions, Pardoe going back-to-back to remain undefeated this year.

Phillips finished third at the National Championships, so this weekend’s win added to her strong form.

By way of two division wins and 10 further finals placings, Bay Boardriders of Mount Maunganui claimed the club rankings for the event.

The 2025 edition of the series draws on a long history of fun with all of New Zealand’s current crop of elite surfers having taken part including Richard Christie (Gisborne), Paige Hareb (Taranaki), Billy Stairmand (Raglan), Saffi Vette (Gisborne), Kehu Butler and Ella Williams (Whangamatā).

It is the 20th year that Billabong has sponsored the series in partnership with Oceanbridge, who have been proud, long-time supporters of junior surfing in New Zealand.

Live scoring can be viewed at Liveheats.com/SurfingNewZealand.

The Billabong Grom Series presented by Oceanbridge now heads to Whangamatā (8-9 February) and finally Piha at the end of February (February 22-23).