Japan Surfing News

December 15th, 2011, Original Story: BOXSCORENEWS

Hiroto Arai won the closely fought final in the premier 16 and under boys division of the Rip Curl GromSearch – Sunshine Coast today in tricky conditions at Coolum Beach.

Arai had an epic battle with Cronulla’s Chris Robertson (NSW), swapping the lead several times, before both surfers finished with one of their best rides inside the last minute of the 20 minute decider.

In what quickly developed into a two-horse race, Hiroto and Robertson left Mitch Parkinson (Coolangatta, Qld) and Kai Hing (Wurtulla, Qld) in their wake as they fought for the win. It all came down to the last 60 seconds when the Japanese surfer nailed a clutch wave to the beach and then had to wait on the shoreline whilst Robertson dismantled the very next wave.

The two surfers and the crowd anxiously awaited the judge’s decision which went to the Arai for a 14.84 two-wave tota (out of a possible 20)l ahead of Robertson’s 13.73 (out of a possible 20).

Hiroto was humble in victory and paid tribute to the standard of competition at the event. “I’m so happy to win here in Queensland. All surfers are fantastic here and I feel honoured to take out the event,” he said.

Hiroto also paid tribute to his friends in Lennox Head, his adopted home until returning to Japan in February 2012.