Billabong's Dean Bowen Wins International King Of The Groms
15-year-old Billabong Australia team surfer Dean Bowen has taken out the international King Of The Groms Contest in Capbreton France.Bowen qualified for the world final by winning the KOTG Australian event at Newcastle last May.
On his way through the heat draw, Bowen comprehensively ousted four of the biggest name grommet surfers in the world including the highly touted Jon Jon Florence (Hawaii) along with Medi Veminardi (Reunion), Francisco Alves (Portugal) and fellow Australian Garret Parkes (Byron Bay).
In his semi-final against Florence, Bowen racked up a 9.50 on his first wave before posting another 8.50 moments later to leave his opponent combo’d well before the halfway mark of the heat.
The final saw the talented teen triumph over Hawaiian Kiron Jabour in the last five minutes awarding him two Quik Pro World Championship Tour wildcards in France and Australia.
Bowen’s emphatic victory has him rated as arguably the best 16 and under aged surfer in the world. It was nearly an all Billabong final with South African team surfer Shaun Joubert securing an excellent equal third semi-final finish.
The young goofy footer surfs with a power packed style well beyond his age, his trade mark turn being a solid backhand under the lip hook remarkably similar to a young Occy.
Bowen has been a Billabong Australia team surfer for five years.
Source: ASP
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