2019/20 Rip Curl GromSearch Series Set To Produce Stars Of The Future

The elite of Australian junior surfing are set to battle it out over the 2019/20 Rip Curl GromSearch series, starting with a bang at Victoria’s Jan Juc on September 21.

The prestigious series has long been renowned for producing performances used as a springboard to international stardom on the World Surf League (WSL) men’s and women’s tours.

The list of previous GromSearch winners illustrates the significant history of the series, with World Surf League (WSL) competitors Gabriel Medina (Brazil), Tyler and Owen Wright (Australia), Felipe Toledo (Brazil), Jordy Smith (South Africa), Kolohe Andino (USA) and Sally Fitzgibbons (Australia) among the list of former competitors and GromSearch International Final Champions.

Working in conjunction with Surfing Australia, the Rip Curl GromSearch includes divisions in 16-and-under, 14-and-under and 12-and-under, for both boys and girls.

The Australian National series will feature four stops in the key surfing regions of Jan Juc (VIC), Newcastle (NSW), Yorke Peninsula (SA) and the Sunshine Coast (QLD). Participants can look forward to activities, giveaways and the chance to meet surfers from all over the country at each event, as well as hone their skills in the water. Athletes will gain valuable experience with the same system of priority and judging used across all elite surfing events.

Two-time WSL Women’s World Champion Tyler Wright recalls her time competing as a junior surfer in the GromSearch series.

“It was such a cool opportunity to get to compete in different areas around Australia at such a young age..." - Tyler Wright

"It’s a great way for me to gain experience for competition on the QS and CT level, and it was always good to meet new friends in a fun environment.”

The Australian series allows surfers from around the country to compete against their contemporaries in a fun and engaging environment. Each result in the four-event series is awarded points that count towards a surfer’s GromSearch National rating, giving participants across the country the opportunity to compare their performances against their peers.

After the last event in Queensland, the top-ranked surfers qualify for the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final (in their respective divisions), where they then compete for the chance to become the Australian GromSearch Champion.

The National Champion then represents Australia at the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final, held at a new location around the globe each year, against the best junior surfers in each participating country.

Entry details, event format and further information on entry procedures will be available in the coming weeks. Entries open from August 1st.