Owen Wright introduces #GromSearchOnline ahead of the 2023 GromSearch National Final - URBNSURF.
19/01/2023

Owen Wright introduces #GromSearchOnline ahead of the 2023 GromSearch National Final - URBNSURF.

72 of the finest junior surfers from around the country will battle it out in perfect waves at URBNSURF Melbourne for the prestigious title of GromSearch National Champion on Monday 6th March.

Finalists from the recently completed Australian Rip Curl GromSearch series will be joined by wildcards from the #GromSearchOnline event to enjoy a day of perfect waves in the 2-hectare lagoon.

Rip Curl event director Mark Flanagan says, “It was epic to run the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final in guaranteed good waves at URBNSURF last year and we’re excited to head back.” 

The #GromSearchOnline is an online only event allowing Australian residents to submit their surf clips via Instagram. Wildcard winners will then be selected by a panel of former GromSearch finalists, based on their favourite clips.

Your 2023 #GromSearchOnline Wildcard Selectors Are:
Owen Wright - Bronze Medalist. 
Tyler Wright - 2x World Surfing Champion.
Erin Brooks - 2022 ISA World Junior Champion.
Dylan Moffat - #11 on the 2022 WSL Challenger Series (CS) rankings.

Each athlete will post a short Instagram clip explaining what they are looking for from the #GromSearchOnline entrants. They will then each choose 2 Wildcard winners from the #GromSearchOnline clips.

Here’s What You Need To Do To Enter!

Entry: Post your best surf clips on Instagram. You must include the hashtag #GromSearchOnline. Tag @ripcurl_aus with your name, age division and location. (Enter as many times as you like!)

Example Caption:
“Jamie Jamieson, U16 Girls, Gerroa, NSW, Australia, #GromSearchOnline, @ripcurl_aus"

Date: 20th January – 20th February.

Wildcards: Wildcards to be chosen by Professional Athletes and Rip Curl. Six wildcards per age division. Each wildcard chosen gains entry to compete at the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final - URBNSURF Melbourne, Monday 6th March, 2023.

Entry Rules:

Cost: #GromSearchOnline is free to enter.

Division: You can only enter one age division, age cut-off is the same as the GromSearch event series. 

Video Clips: To increase your chances be sure to enter each clip separately, and in regular motion (no slow motion). We suggest that you aim to include the full completion in any clip entered, we don’t want the wildcard selectors to be guessing if you made it or not. Full waves, multiple turns or single turns will all be considered.

Labeling Your Entry:
Name
Age Division
Location
#GromSearchOnline
@ripcurl_aus

Competition Clips: Clips entered from previously surfed competitions from 2022 will be accepted.

Video Quality: Any camera quality is allowed; home video camcorder, iPhone, Surfline Camera Rewind, etc. However, clear quality is preferred.

Video Clip Deadline: Must be submitted on or before 20th February 2023 at 11:59pm AEST.

Video Clip Usage: By entering the #GromSearchOnline competition your video may be used across Rip Curl's social media accounts.

Divisions:
Under 16 - Girls & Boys
Under 14 - Girls & Boys
Under 12 - Girls & Boys
(age by 31st Dec 2022)

*Competition is for Australian Residents only
GOODLUCK, GROMS!

Here's what Owen Wright is looking for!

History - GromSearch Former Winners:

Women's WSL athletes include:
Tyler Wright, Carissa Moore, Steph Gilmore, Sally Fitgibbons, Brisa Hennessy, Tatiana Westeon-Webb and Molly Picklum
(note: GromSearch competitors have won the last 15 WSL women’s World Titles & compiled 12 of the 18 athletes on the 2022 women’s WT).

Men's WSL athletes include:
Gabriel Medina, Owen Wright, Italo Ferreira, Filipe Toledo, Jackson Baker, Samuel Pupo and Kanoa Igarashi.
(note: All 5 surfers in the 2022 WSL Finals were former GromSearch finalists, as well as 20 of the 34 athletes on the 2022 men’s WT)