Ocean Lancaster and Eliza Richardson Are Your 2025 International GromSearch Champions

After two days of world-class surfing, Ocean Lancaster and Eliza Richardson have claimed victory at the 2025 Rip Curl GromSearch International Final in Hossegor, France. 

Held in clean, five-to-six-foot waves, the event delivered perfect conditions for the world’s best junior surfers to showcase their talent. Up against top Under-16 surfers from Brazil, North America, Indonesia, Argentina, South Africa, and Europe, it was the two young Aussies who rose to the challenge. 

In the boys’ final, Lancaster faced in-form Brazilian Arthur Vilar, who had been one of the standout performers of the event after two buzzer-beater wins in the quarterfinals and semifinals. Vilar posted the highest single-wave score of the competition, a 9.33, for a Kerrupt Flip that sealed his semifinal victory over Portugal’s Jaime Veselko. 

In the final showdown, it was Lancaster’s composure and consistency that earned him the coveted title. 

“This is the win of my life for sure,” said Ocean Lancaster.

“I actually competed in the International Final a few years ago at Bells Beach, when Lukas (Skinner) won his first one. I remember thinking, ‘Oh my God, I wanna do that one day’. So, it was magical to come here. The rush of emotions was the best thing ever.” 

Fifteen-year-old Eliza Richardson went head-to-head with South Africa’s Emily Jenkinson in the Girls’ Final, using her powerful backhand attack to take the win. 

“I’m so stoked. It’s my first international comp and I’m just beyond words,” said Eliza Richardson.  “I was at the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final in Indonesia last year because my sister was competing, but I had a broken ankle. It’s such a sick competition. One of my goals was to win it this year, so I’m super stoked to have done that, I’m so happy.” 

The paths to Hossegor looked very different for our two champions. Eliza Richardson earned her spot by winning the Australian National Final at URBNSURF Sydney last month, while Ocean secured a wildcard entry after being hand-picked by Crosby Colapinto through the #GromSearchOnline virtual competition.  

2025 World Surfing Champion Molly Picklum, who traveled to Hossegor to witness the action, called the GromSearch International Final the “World Title for groms.” With previous winners including WSL World Champions like Caitlin Simmers, Caroline Marks, and Gabriel Medina, it is highly possible that a future World Champion has been uncovered here in France.  

FINAL RESULTS 

 U16 Boys
Ocean Lancaster (16 points) 
Arthur Vilar (12.83 points) 

U16 Girls
Eliza Richardson (12.57 points)
Emily Jenkinson (7.4 points)