Earlier this month, Woolworths and Surfing Australia announced that future Australian surfing champions will receive further help to ride the wave to success, with Woolworths expanding its commitment to the sport. Under the new partnership, Woolworths will be the driving force behind Surfing Australia’s junior surfing pathway, with the Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps presented by Wahu Series to play a vital role. “We’re proud to become the naming rights partner for the Woolworths Surfer Groms presented by Wahu series. We've seen first-hand over the past year, since we got involved in the sport, that the events provide a great platform for young surfers to develop their skills. Our commitment to this series is just one part of our overall support of the next generation of surfing champions," said Andrew Hicks, Director of Marketing, Woolworths. Regarded as one of the major stepping stones in the development of young Australian surfers, the 10-event Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps presented by Wahu caters for surfers from Under 8 to Under 14 and will be held in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia over summer. The prestigious event series will also return to Tasmania in 2017/18. “This is an incredibly important event series as a part of our national sport development pathway and offers young Australian surfers the opportunity to compete in a professionally run events that are fun and family friendly,” said Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark. “We welcome Woolworths as the new name rights sponsor and also thank Wahu for their continued support of the program. “The Woolworths Surf Camp at the Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre (HPC) is a legitimate talent ID program as a part of our High Performance pathway surfer program and offers the next generation of Australian junior talent a chance to experience the HPC and progress their surfing to new heights.” As an added bonus, the respective winners of the Under 14 boys’ and girls’ divisions from each event will receive an invite to attend an all-expenses paid, three-day Woolworths Surf Camp at the Hurley Surfing Australia High-Performance Centre (HPC). For the South Australian, Victorian and Tasmanian events, the Woolworths Surf Camp prize will be awarded to the highest place Under-14 Boy and Girl who reside in that respective State.Each entrant will also receive a Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps presented by Wahu t-shirt for entering, plus a Wahu beach product and there will be plenty of Wahu beach games and giveaways at each event.“Wahu has been a proud major sponsor of this prestigious event over many years and we are pleased to announce our continued support for the 2017/18 event series,” said Wahu Managing Director Tim Britz. Adding to the high stakes is the Woolworths Fresh Wave Awards, presented to the best and fairest male and female surfers from each event. The recipients will have a high degree of sportsmanship and exhibit future surfing potential and will be awarded a $250 Woolworths voucher each.The Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps presented by Wahu have helped to launch the careers of many of Australia's most promising junior surfers with almost 800 children set to take part in the 2017/18 event series.Previous champions include Matt Banting, Jacob Willcox, Luke Hynd, Eli Steele, Kai Hing, Chris Zaffis, Quinn Bruce, Ellie-Jean Coffey, Macy Callaghan, Isabella Nichols, Holly Wawn and Laura Poncini. Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps Presented by Wahu 2017/2018 Series Schedule:EVENT 1 - Northern Beaches, NSW - Sept 9 - 10, 2017EVENT 2 - Cronulla, NSW - Oct 14 - 15, 2017EVENT 3 - Kiama, NSW - Oct 21 - 22, 2017EVENT 4 - Coffs Harbour, NSW - Oct 28 - 29, 2017EVENT 5 - Ocean Grove, VIC - Nov 11 - 12, 2017EVENT 6 - Fleurieu Peninsula, SA - Nov 18, 2017EVENT 7 - Sunshine Coast, QLD - Dec 9 - 10, 2017EVENT 8 - Gold Coast, QLD - Jan 10 - 11, 2018EVENT 9 -Trigg, WA - Jan 27 - 28, 2018EVENT 10 - Clifton Beach, TAS - Feb 24, 2018 For entry details to the Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps presented by Wahu, please go here, and to check out more Surfing Australia events & news visit their website or Facebook page.