Ruby Berry flies the flag for Margaret River at Victorian Gromsearch event with epic under-18 win

One of the region’s leading junior surf stars has secured a major win at Victoria’s Phillip Island.

Margaret River surfer and Yallingup Boardriders Club competitor Ruby Berry snatched the under-18 girls win at the prestigious Rip Curl Gromsearch at the weekend.

The action-packed contest saw Berry emerge as the only WA winner after taking on Queensland’s Isla Huppatz and beating her 10.73 points out of 20 versus 8.84.

Weak conditions didn’t help the young veteran in her showdown that came down to wave selection, according to commentators.

Berry went left on the banking wave and claimed the first ride, which quickly saw Huppatz scramble to do the same.

However, Berry’s second wave of the day upped the ante, racing down the line and hitting multiple sections with speed to earn a 5.83 point score and take the early lead.

Huppatz then struggled on the inside, and efforts from an inside wedge yielded a 4.17 ride and the chance to leapfrog her opponent’s score in the last two minutes.

Berry then made a priority error, allowing Huppatz a chance at a wave and the score she needed, but the Queenslander couldn’t capitalise, leaving Berry victorious on 10.73 points.

“The waves were super challenging and Isla rips so definitely either of us could have won so I’m stoked to win,” Berry said.

“There was a minute to go and I had priority and I lost it and I was kinda stressing, but there were lots of sets coming through so I was hoping I could get a wave as well as her.

“I ended up getting a wave, but it was definitely a stressful 30 seconds.”

Willow Hardy last won for Margaret River’s women surfers at the 2021 Gromsearch in the under-14 girls division.