Sophie Surfing the BSR Wave pool AKA the Waco Wave in Waco, Texas

Stop #3 of the Rip Curl Grom Search was in New Smyrna Beach, Sophie’s goal make the final and qualify for the National Final at Seaside Reef in California. But after unleashing a beast lay back hack and recovering to her feet it was clear winning the event was on her mind as well. She flowed through the final with speed power & flow checking off the criteria. All of the other girls were shining pretty well too, With a storybook ending of this being her last 16 & Under grom search event She took home the win and solidifying her spot for her 3rd trip to the RCGS National Final.
Rip Curl press release here: 2016 Rip Curl Grom Search #3 NSB
Surfline Coverage: Surfline NSB 2016 Grom Search
Read Surfer Magazines Coverage here: Surfing Magazine RCGS NSB

After a a trying round one heat in less then stellar conditions, Sophie went on to Win The 3rd Surfing America Prime East event at Flagler Beach, Luckily the waves showed up for Sunday for the semi finals She dominated the heat until a last minute comeback form RP bounced her to 2nd pushing them both into the 3rd Final of the season. Sophie Peaked in the Final Dropping a High 6.33 on her opening wave she built on that with a High 4.80 and maintained her priority, using it in the last 2 minutes to hold off her fellow competitors. A well Deserved win Firmly taking the Qualification and 2nd place points and seed going into the USA Championships at Lower Trestles.

With everything on the line for USA championships qualification up in the air. Sophie needed a showing in the finals to lock in that qualification. Sophie blew up in heat 1 and never looked back posting scores in the 7s & high 8s through all 3 rounds. She was on track for the win going into the finals. With 1min left needing a 4 in the finals she got a wave snaped a nice backside turn but a piece of chop had caused her to not stick the landing. 2nd place was a win in this event for her solidifying that qualification spot! So back to florida we headed to hang up that wetsuit and booties and get back to some warm water.
Sophie came home to surf in another local event at the king of the hill where she won both girls and jr. womens division and got to surf the pro placing 4th.