Stab Magazine | See the future of surfing here (the Quiksilver King Of The Groms final!)

Live Now — Stab's Best Wetsuits 2025

57 Views

See the future of surfing here (the Quiksilver King Of The Groms final!)

Quiksilver’s King Of The Groms truly is the realest under-18 surf event in the world. As you no doubt saw on Stabmag.com, after 1000 scary-good clips streamed through the contest’s round one hashtags, and over 50,000 people voted for contestants in round two, Quiksilver scooped the creme off the top and landed on a beach in Brazil with 10 young surfers. Though, it didn’t take the full three days for the judges to realise that these really were the 10 best under-18 surfers in the world. It didn’t even take three hours. It took all of 30 minutes. Then, a long weekend of junior surfing at the highest level of performance ensued. With Jesse Mendes as tour guide and Matt Hoy as spiritual guide, the groms ran rampant around the island of Fernando de Noronha in customised dune buggies, feasting on Brazilian BBQ, guzzling soda and doing the best surfing that anyone of their age group has ever done. Perfect three-to-four foot sand-bottom wedges and an A-frame reefbreak were furiously lit up by the 10-pack, and it was clear from the start that choosing a winner would be no breeze. But a King had to be crowned, and when the smoke on the water had cleared, there was an undeniable number one: Sebastian Williams. A half-Mexican, half-South African miracle completely deserving of the $20,000 winner’s cheque and of the cliched sentiment that he surfs well beyond his years. Airs, rail work, combinations – it’s all there. All hail the 2015 King Of The Groms! In second place, Samuel Pupo came in hot with bleached hair and a fiery frontside swing to claim the $10,000 runner up prize. Like Sebastian, Sammy proves that surfing’s future lies in being an everything-specialist. Thanks to Drink Up and Sony Xperia, there was still some gifts left in the purse. Sammy Pupo scored another $1,000 for his air game. Kian Martin plucked the $1,000 rail game cash. No one could match Sandon Whittaker in combo land, and he scooped $1,000 for his work. And it was Malakai Martinez who owned the Expression Session for another $1,000. Keeping with tradition, the 2015 King Of The Groms was unlike any other junior surfing event in the world. And, it produced a crop of new stars to watch. 1st – $20,000: Sebastian Williams2nd – $10,000:  Samuel PupoAirgame – $1000: Samuel PupoRailGame – $1000: Kian MartinCombo – $1000: Sandon WhitakerExpression Session – $1000: Malakai Martinez Photo: Ricardo Bravo

cinema // Mar 8, 2016
Words by stab
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Quiksilver’s King Of The Groms truly is the realest under-18 surf event in the world. As you no doubt saw on Stabmag.com, after 1000 scary-good clips streamed through the contest’s round one hashtags, and over 50,000 people voted for contestants in round two, Quiksilver scooped the creme off the top and landed on a beach in Brazil with 10 young surfers. Though, it didn’t take the full three days for the judges to realise that these really were the 10 best under-18 surfers in the world. It didn’t even take three hours. It took all of 30 minutes.

Then, a long weekend of junior surfing at the highest level of performance ensued. With Jesse Mendes as tour guide and Matt Hoy as spiritual guide, the groms ran rampant around the island of Fernando de Noronha in customised dune buggies, feasting on Brazilian BBQ, guzzling soda and doing the best surfing that anyone of their age group has ever done.

Perfect three-to-four foot sand-bottom wedges and an A-frame reefbreak were furiously lit up by the 10-pack, and it was clear from the start that choosing a winner would be no breeze. But a King had to be crowned, and when the smoke on the water had cleared, there was an undeniable number one:

Sebastian Williams. A half-Mexican, half-South African miracle completely deserving of the $20,000 winner’s cheque and of the cliched sentiment that he surfs well beyond his years. Airs, rail work, combinations – it’s all there. All hail the 2015 King Of The Groms!

In second place, Samuel Pupo came in hot with bleached hair and a fiery frontside swing to claim the $10,000 runner up prize. Like Sebastian, Sammy proves that surfing’s future lies in being an everything-specialist.

Thanks to Drink Up and Sony Xperia, there was still some gifts left in the purse. Sammy Pupo scored another $1,000 for his air game. Kian Martin plucked the $1,000 rail game cash. No one could match Sandon Whittaker in combo land, and he scooped $1,000 for his work. And it was Malakai Martinez who owned the Expression Session for another $1,000.

Keeping with tradition, the 2015 King Of The Groms was unlike any other junior surfing event in the world. And, it produced a crop of new stars to watch.

1st – $20,000: Sebastian Williams
2nd – $10,000:  Samuel Pupo
Airgame – $1000: Samuel Pupo
RailGame – $1000: Kian Martin
Combo – $1000: Sandon Whitaker
Expression Session – $1000: Malakai Martinez

15_KOTG_Top10_RicardoBravo-0601-3

Photo: Ricardo Bravo

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Major Surf Brands In Turmoil As ABG Pulls North American Licenses

From pro surfers to brand fate, details emerge from an emergency meeting today in California.

Dec 11, 2024

2024 Vans Pipe Masters Day One — Live Updates, Commentary, And Conjectures

Play-by-play insights and video highlights from down on the sand.

Dec 10, 2024

The Rip Curl Eddie Aikau Waiting Period Has Officially Begun

120 days for Waimea to show her teeth.

Dec 10, 2024

Watch: Eithan Osborne in ‘Skinny Meat Head’

The Stab High Japan winner drops his profile film with Chapter 11.

Dec 10, 2024

Stab’s 2024 Super Dooper Mega Holiday Gift Guide

Everything we (actually) use and adore, for the surfer in your life.

Dec 9, 2024

The 20 Best Surfboard Models On The Market, According To You — Part 1

You told us about your favorite models, we compiled the data, and one brand massively…

Dec 8, 2024

Unlocked: Adrien Toyon in ‘North Stars’

A Film of the Year nominee from Yentl Touboul.

Dec 8, 2024

Stab Edit of the Year: Is Dane Henry The World’s Best Junior?

"It's been the best year of my surfing life," says the freshly 18yo.

Dec 6, 2024

The 2024 Vans Pipe Masters Instruction Manual

Whispers from the ground, courtesy of event director Nate Fletcher.

Dec 5, 2024

The Largest Luxury Brand In The World Just Invested In Boardbags

And one clever South African is getting a paycheck.

Dec 5, 2024

This $90k Custom Troopy Could Be Yours

Check out the Gage Roads surf team Jack Robinson, Jacob Willcox and Margo taking it…

Dec 5, 2024

Watch: Stab’s Best Wetsuits Of 2025

Who makes this season's best 3/2? We tested 24 in Canada to find out.

Dec 5, 2024

How Airplanes and Beeswax Could Change the Way Surfboards Are Made

A plausible future for eco-friendly surfboards (that isn't just flax).

Dec 3, 2024

(Unlocked) Stab Edit of the Year: Soli Bailey Stars in ‘Conehead’ 

The frontrunner for Stab Surfer of the Year 2024 drops his highly-anticipated edit shot at…

Dec 3, 2024

Stab Edit of the Year: Erwin Bliss In ‘Dipsychia’

"Nothing about those stupid influencers inspire me. They know fuck all about life."

Dec 2, 2024

Red Bull No Contest Wanders Waikiki + Crossteps Along Oahu’s South Shore

Exploring the 300,000 strong, 177.2 square mile surf cultural hub of Honolulu.

Dec 1, 2024

“We Locked Eyes For A Second, And I Was Like, ‘Here we go again’”

JOB recounts his 20-year anniversary double-barrel with Mike Stewart

Nov 30, 2024

Stab Interview: Raimana Van Bastolaer Explains His Unparalleled Surfing Career Path

From turning pro in one month, to jetskis over his head, to becoming a surf…

Nov 30, 2024
Advertisement