The Grom King

Durban – Sixteen year old surfer Shane Sykes from Salt Rock has been voted to represent South Africa at the International Quiksilver King of the Groms finals to be held in conjunction with the Quiksilver Pro France World Tour event at the end of September. Sykes had his surf video rated as the best video which contained top surf action and lifestyle visuals from around Kwa-Zulu Natal. 

"I am so happy with the win, I put a lot of effort in and it has paid off. The new concept of entering via online submissions is great and gives everyone a chance to display their surfing to a global audience. I can't wait to get to France and get barreled, " said an excited Sykes.  

Sykes had to film and edit a his surfing video which was voted by the public online as the best video in South Africa, the top five videos voted by the public then went to a final voting panel headed by South African surf icon Travis Logie. Logie was assisted by Zigzag staffer Alan van Gysen and ex pro surfer Paul Canning to select the best South African video to represent at the finals in France. "We were really impressed with the standard of surfing from all the entires but Shane's style and technique was on another level, I think he's got a good chance to take the title in France," said head judge Travis Logie.

The event caters for aspiring surfers sixteen years old and under and the finals in France will comprise of 18 surfers representing 10 surfing regions across the globe. Sykes will make his way to the south of France hoping to be the first South African to win the title. Only Slade Prestwich (Durban) and David Brand (Cape Town) have come close both finishing in equal third position in previous years. The global event has been a breeding ground for young talent and top pro's like Jeremy Flores (France), Matt Banting (Aus), Gabriel Medina (Brazil) and Aritz Aranburu (Spain) who have all won the event on their way to building successful careers. Sykes will get the opportunity of rubbing shoulders with the likes of Kelly Slater, Joel Parkinson and other World Tour pro's at the event as they will all be watching what the world's best 'groms' have to offer when it all goes down in France.