The second annual Aqua East GROM Fest invited surfers, skaters and wake riders to enjoy a weekend of free swag and $2,150 in cash and prizes from Aqua East Surf Shop Oct. 12 to 14 in Jacksonville Beach.
The festival started with a Skate Jam at the South Beach Skate Park. The Aqua East Skate Team, Volcom and skaters of all ages rolled in to show off tricks, win prizes and enjoy free pizza from Mellow Mushroom.
On Saturday, the Aqua East Surf Contest hosted 100 young surfers south of the Jacksonville Beach Pier in a competition for $2150 in cash and prizes. Carl Burger won the Junior Open top surfer with first place and $500 cash, but he wasn't the only one to walk away a winner. Zoe Benedetto and Benji Lange won their age division along with the heads, each walking away with $500. The 9 to 11 girl winner was Kora Pasorelli while the 8 and under was the largest division, with 30 surfers - Stone Sparks finished first.
Sunday's festivities started at noon at Palm Valley Outdoor Bar and Grill where Tommy's Boats provided a 2018 Malibu LSV to pull riders in wakeboard, wakesurf and wakeskate on the Intracoastal Waterway. Riders of all ages were excited to participate in North Florida's only wake contest and to ride with professional wakeskater, Sam Langley.
Eight-year-old Chelsea Caywood won the girls 11 and under division with wake to wake jumps and the high marks on her fashion air. Jake Leinwohl was a dual winner with first place in both 14 and under wakeboard and the wakeskate division. Victoria Covey walked away with a Hurley wetsuit for first place in Wakeboard 12 to 17 Girls and received special recognition as a Trifecta participant. The top wakeboarder for the day was 24-year-old Tyler Nelson.
New this year was the Trifecta division for the athletes who participated in all three events throughout the weekend. Victoria Covey, Noelle Covey, Owen Anthony and Finn Hillis were recognized as the Trifecta Groms.
