South African junior team shredder, Sebastian Williams has clinched the 2015 Quiksilver King of the Groms title ahead of the world’s most highly-rated Under 18 surfers.
Sebastian Williams, stoked on being crowned King of the Groms.
After two tough qualifying rounds, the global finals featured ten of the world’s best grom surfers and took place at one of the most beautiful locations in the world, Fernando De Noronha, an island located 355km off the eastern-most tip of Brazil. We asked Tim Williams, Sebastian’s father who also went along for the trip, to give us a better idea about the event:
“Two days of trials were held to choose the four finalists. Each day, the morning location of Boldro was a reef break that peaked and ran a perfect left and right. Then after lunch as the tide filled in, the location moved to the well known Fernando spot, Casimba de Padre, which has the giant rock in the background.”
“Four 5-man heats were held at each spot, with the groms surfing two mixed heats at each location. As with the first round of KOTG Instagram criteria, the groms were evaluated on the best score out of 10 from each of air, rail game and combo moves. A maximum total of 30 possible points per day gave a score out of 60 from which the four finalists were chosen.”
Flying to victory at Boldro, a fun left and right reefbreak peak.
Sebastian was born in California before moving to Mexico where he grew up, and for the past two years the 15 year-old shredder has been rediscovering his South African roots back in Mzansi, where his father Tim is originally from. We caught up with the new King of the Groms winner to hear his thoughts on clinching the prestigious title:
Zigzag: Tell us about the format.
Seb: It was a really creative format, and credit must go to Troy Brooks who heads up all Quiksilver events. The final was basically a free surf, where whomever surfed the best in all three categories we had been surfing to, was crowned the winner.
Boosting with style on his step-up.
How were the other finalists?
Seven of the 10 finalists were surfers who had qualified in the Air category, so everybody ripped. All the guys were really cool and we had so much fun together.
What was up with the coloured beach buggies?
That was so funny! When we arrived at the island airport, they gave each of us the keys to a buggy which had a giant sticker of our names on the front and back. The dads were supposed to drive us around in them on these really bad dirt roads. My dad let me drive mine all the time, then they did a photo shoot and video of us messing around in the buggies.
The 10 KOTG finalists, chilling on their island transport!
The best and the worst?
The best had to be the crystal clear water, fun waves, a beautiful island and lobster dinners. The worst was the bad dusty roads, four really long flights to get there, and breaking my two short boards. I had to surf my step up 5’9″ most of the event, but it was all worth it in the end. My best surf trip for sure!
Finalists
1st: Sebastian Williams – South Africa @sebastianwilliams1
2nd: Samuel Pupo – Brazil @samuel_pupo
3rd: Vitor Mendes – Brazil @vitormendes0
4th: Kael Walsh – Australia @kaelwalsh
Awards
Expression Session winner: Malakai Martinez – Costa Rica @mpsmalakai_deez
Best Rail Move: Kian Martin – Sweden / Bali @kiansurf
Best Combo: Sandon Whittaker – Australia @sandonsurf
Best Air: Samuel Pupo – Brazil @samuel_pupo
Other Top 10 KOTG Invitees
Jordy Collins – USA @jordy_collins
Tane Bowden – New Zealand @tanebowden
Kyuss King – Australia @kyussking
A view from the top showing off the island’s beauty.
Surfing four degrees from the equator, any opportunity for shade was taken.
Navigating another Brazilian nug.
Casimba de Padre was the location of choice for the afternoon once the tide filled in.
It was rotations like this that kept Sebastian a step ahead of the field.
Brightly coloured beach buggies were given to each competitor to navigate the dusty island roads during their stay.
Carving in uncrowded paradise.
Given the ‘free-surf’ nature of judging, the groms were encouraged to go all out with progressive manoeuvres.
Well done King Sebster !!!!….great surfing …..Jbay helped your surfing big time.
Hmmm let’s see $ 20 th US …..wait to cash it in and by the time you get back it may have doubled in value with the current SA currency crash!!! Tim you must be a stocked surf pops.