The Rip Curl GromSearch

Multiple Locations across Australia

Season Schedule:

Event 1: Rip Curl GromSearch Oz Cup, Coffs Harbour | April 20-24, 2024.

Event 2: Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island presented by Bass Coast Shire. | October 1-5, 2024.

Event 3: Rip Curl GromSearch National Final - UrbnSurf Sydney | Monday Monday 21st October

Event 4: Rip Curl GromSearch International Final, covered by Sun Bum - Bali | 13th -17th November 2024

Searching the Planet for the Ultimate Groms
3 divisions. 4 age groups. 4 National Champions. Who will be crowned this season?

Searching the Planet for the Ultimate Groms
3 divisions. 4 age groups. 4 National Champions. Who will be crowned this season?

The Rip Curl GromSearch series started as a one-day surfing event at Victoria’s Jan Juc beach in 1999 and has developed to a worldwide series of events designed specifically for the 16 years and under surfer, commonly termed ‘grommets’.

The series is designed to provide fun events for groms to enjoy themselves and meet crew from around the country, whilst developing their competitive game. As athletes progress to finals the elite level of competition comes into play, with many previous GromSearch competitors going on to the WSL world tour.

Men's WSL athletes that were former GromSearch finalists include: Gabriel Medina, Owen Wright, Italo Ferreira, Jordy Smith, Kolohe Andino, Filipe Toledo, Kanoa Igarashi, Ryan Callinan, Leonardo Fioravanti, Connor O’Leary & Morgan Cibilic. (Note that 4 of the top 5 surfers in the 2021 WSL Finals are all former GromSearch finalists, as well as 20 of the 34 athletes on the men’s WT)

Women's WSL athletes - Tyler Wright, Carissa Moore, Steph Gilmore, Sally Fitgibbons, Malia Manuel, Nikki Van Dijk, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Bronte McCaulay, Caroline Marks, Macy Callaghan, Brisa Hennessy, Isabella Nichols & Bethany Hamilton. (Note: GromSearch competitors have won the last 13 WSL women’s World Titles & compile 12 of the current 18 athletes on the women’s WT).

Divisions

BOYS

  • 16 and Under Boys
  • 14 and Under Boys
  • 12 and Under Boys

GIRLS

  • 16 and Under Girls
  • 14 and Under Girls
  • 12 and Under Girls

National Final

All age divisions will be represented at the GromSearch National final. Qualification for the National final will be via a surfer’s placing at each individual event. At this stage, the first three surfers in each division, of each event, will qualify for the National final. The remaining spots in each division will be made up of wildcards.

Rip Curl GromSearch Australian Champions (16’s division):

  • 2023 URBNSURF, Vic - Ocean Lancaster (NSW) & Olive Hardy (WA)

  • 2022 URBNSURF, Vic - Tim Bain (QLD) & Jahly Stokes (QLD)

  • 2021 UrbnSurf, Vic - Lennix Smith (NSW) & Ellie Harrison (VIC)

  • 2020 Woonona, NSW – Mike Clayton-Brown (NSW) & Millie Allport (NSW)

  • 2019 Woonona, NSW – Finn Cox (WA) & Molly Picklum (NSW)

  • 2018 Wonoona, NSW – Finn Hill (NSW) & Piper Harrison (Qld)

  • 2017 North Narrabeen, NSW – Jay Brown (NSW) & Sasha Baker (Qld)

  • 2016 North Narrabeen, NSW – Lain O’Brien (Qld) & Sophia Fulton (NSW)

  • 2015 North Narrabeen, NSW – Kael Walsh (WA) & Jaleesa Vincent (Qld)

  • 2014 Coolum, Qld – Jackson Giles (NSW) & Isabella Nichols (Qld)

  • 2013 Coolum, Qld - Jackson Baker (NSW) & Isabella Nichols (Qld)

  • 2012 Coolum, Qld – Tommy Boucaut (NSW) & Kirsten Ogden NSW)

  • 2011 Coolum, Qld – Mitch Parkinson (Qld) & Ellie-Jean Coffey (NSW)

  • 2010 RCPro Bells Beach - Creed McTaggert (WA) & Nikki Van Dijk (Vic)

  • 2009 RCPro Bells Beach - Thomas Woods (Qld) & Felicity Palmateer (WA)

  • 2008 RCPro Bells Beach - Ryan Callinan (NSW) & Laura Enever (NSW)

  • 2007 RCPro Bells Beach – Davey Cathels (NSW) & Laura Enever (NSW)

  • 2006 RCPro Bells Beach – Stuart Kennedy (NSW) & Sally Fitzgibbons (NSW)

  • 2005 RCPro Bells Beach – Shaun Stevic (Qld) & Jessica Hickson (NSW)

  • 2004 RCPro Bells Beach – Matt Wilkinson (NSW) & Stephanie Gilmore (NSW)

    The first GromSearch National final was held during the 2004 Rip Curl Pro, Bells and was won by Matt Wilkinson and Steph Gilmore.

Rip Curl GromSearch International Champions:

  • 2023 - Bells Beach, Victoria - Lukas Skinner (GB) & Erin Brooks (CAN)

  • 2022 - Did not surf due to Covid restrictions

  • 2021 - Did not surf due to Covid restrictions

  • 2020 – Did not surf due to Covid restrictions
  • 2019 – Alfonso Atunes (PRT) & Caitlin Simmers (USA)
  • 2018 – Xavier Huxtable (AUS) & Keala Tomoda- Bannert (HAW)
  • 2017 – Kade Mtson (USA) & Caroline Marks (USA
  • 2016 – Nolan Rapoza (USA) & Brisa Hennessy (HAW)
  • 2015 – Samuel Pupo (BRA) & Leilani McGonagle (CRI)
  • 2014 – Pat Curren (USA) & Brisa Hennessy (HAW)
  • 2013 – Leonardo Fioravanti (ITL) & Tatiana Wetson-webb (HAW)
  • 2012 – Dylan Lightfoot (ZAF) & Tatiana Wetson-webb (HAW)
  • 2011 – Mitch Parkinson (AUS) & Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
  • 2010 – Gabriel Medina (BRA) & Bianca Buitendag (ZAF)
  • 2009 – Thomas Woods (AUS) & Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
  • 2008 – Dale Staples (ZAF) & Malia Manuel (HAW)
  • 2007 – Tyler Newton (HAW) & Tyler Wright (AUS)
  • 2006 – Owen Wright (AUS) & Alana Blanchard (HAW)
  • 2005 – Mason Ho (HAW) & Nikita Robb (ZAF)

The first GromSearch International final was held as part of the 2005 Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach. Mason Ho won the boys ahead of Jordy Smith and Matt Wilkinson.

International Titles By Country

15 YEARS, 30 TITLES.

  • Australian - 7
  • Brazil - 2
  • Costa Rican - 1
  • Hawaiian - 8
  • Italy - 1
  • Portugal - 1
  • South African - 4
  • USA - 6
Rip Curl 2023 GromSearch Australian Series
EventLocationDate
Event 1 Rip Curl GromSearch Oz Cup, Coffs Harbour April 20-24, 2024
Event 2 Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island presented by Bass Coast Shire October 1-5, 2024.
Event 3 Rip Curl GromSearch National Final - UrbnSurf Sydney Monday 21st October

Winners Crowned at the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final covered by Sun Bum.

Australia’s finest young surfers hit URBNSURF Sydney for the highly anticipated Rip Curl GromSearch National Final, covered by Sun Bum.

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Rip Curl grom surfing in the GromSearch comp in Philip Island, VICRip Curl grom surfing in the GromSearch comp in Philip Island, VIC

Mitchell Peterson and Ruby Berry Take Out the Under 18 Divisions At The Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island, presented by Bass Coast Shire Council.

Mitchell Peterson and Ruby Berry Take Out the Under 18 Divisions At The Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island, presented by Bass Coast Shire Council.

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Owen Wright with Groms at UrbnSurfOwen Wright with Groms at UrbnSurf

Win A Trip To Bali... #GromSearchOnline is about to launch!

#GromSearchOnline is about to launch for 2024. This year’s winners will clinch a ticket to Bali in November, for a coveted wildcard spot in the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final, covered by Sun Bum.

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Rip Curl GromSearch International FinalRip Curl GromSearch International Final

Rip Curl GromSearch International Final covered by Sun Bum to hit Bali!

The location for the prestigious Rip Curl GromSearch International Final covered by Sun Bum has just been confirmed for 2024. The world’s best junior surfers aged 16 and under will be battling it out for the coveted crown on the tropical island of Bali.

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Learn More About Our 2023 Champions

Groms Descend on URBNSURF For The 2023 Rip Curl GromSearch Australian National Final.

Ocean Lancaster And Olive Hardy Rise To The Top Of The Under 16’s Field In The 2023 Rip Curl GromSearch National Final At URBNSURF.

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Champions Crowned at Stop Two of the Rip Curl GromSearch Series in Merewether.

Stop number two of the iconic Rip Curl GromSearch Series wrapped up with a marathon day of competition last Sunday at Merewether Beach, in the heart of Newcastle.

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Champions Crowned At The 2023 Rip Curl GromSearch Jan Juc.

Performances were at an all time high with an increase in swell and the sun continuing to shine through for the Final Day of the Rip Curl GromSearch at Jan Juc

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Event Information: The location for the prestigious Rip Curl GromSearch International Final covered by Sun Bum has been confirmed for 2024. The world’s best junior surfers aged 16 and under will be battling it out for the coveted crown on the tropical island of Bali. 

Waiting Period: 13 - 17 November, 2024. 

Event Location: Bali, Indonesia.

How To Watch: Stay tuned to Rip Curl's Instagram and TikTok for daily updates. Plus, watch the final day LIVE via our YouTube channel. 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ripcurl/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ripcurl
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ripcurl


2024 International Finalists:

  • Ben Zanatta (Australia)
  • Rosie Richardson (Australia)
  • Lucas Cassidy (United States)
  • Eden Walla (United Sates)
  • Carla Morera De La Vall (Europe)
  • Dylan Donegan Santos (Europe)
  • Louise Jane Lepront (South Africa)
  • Rory Dace (South Africa)
  • Ziggy Mackenzie (Australia)
  • Lucas Skinner (United Kingdom)
  • Western Hirst (Indonesia)
  • Victoria Muñoz Larreta (Argentina)
  • Aditya Somiya (Indonesia)

  • Jasemine Studer (Indonesia)

#GromSearchOnline wildcards 

  • Catalina Zariquiey (Peru)
  • Dylan Wilcoxen (Indonesia)