Salt Creek has always been ruled by grommets. The lineup maintains one of the youngest demographics in the entire state. In fact, studies have shown that Creek legends like Pat O'Connell, Kevin Billy have Creek-Geeks Disease, which sounds pretty bad, but isn't, because it's really just a permanent bout of adolescence. Symptoms include being routinely still mistaken for 8th graders. So apparently, something in the water there keeps you fresh. Good thing, too, because it's not easy to be enthusiastic about a dumpy closeout. Don't get me wrong, Salt Creek has its magic moments, in fact, this Saturday could be one of them as the nation's hottest gremlins come to battle for the National Titles of the Rip Curl Grom Search.

The Rip Curl Grom Search, if you've never been to one, is 20 times better than opening day of Little League. That's becasue these kids are All Stars. Matter of fact, you should go get some autographs now because they'll be worth millions of pesos in 10 or 15 years (the dollar will be long gone as a currency but more on that later.)

At the Grom Search, the microscopes are truly busted out because 12, 14 and 16 years of age are the cutoff points for each division, which makes things highly competitive all the way across the spectrum. But the fun part is watching some of the tiny little circus freaks beat up on their older peers, which happens routinely. That's because these groms don't know what barriers are. They're pulling moves even guys on tour can't do. And in a few short years some of them will be out there on tour. And if you're not down there placing bets on who it's going to be, Well you're missing half the fun. But you will be able to tune in online. So stay tuned...