The Rip Curl GromSearch
Multiple Locations across EuropeSeason Schedule:
Event 1: Portugal, Costa da Caparica | 1st, 2nd and 3rd April, 2024
Event 2: Portugal, Spain, San Sebastian | 5th, 6th and 7th April, 2024
Event 3: UK, Newquay | 15th and 16th June, 2024
Event 4: France, Lacanau | 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th July, 2024
European Final: France ANGLET | 14th of September
Rip Curl GromSearch International Final, covered by Sun Bum - Bali | 13th -17th November 2024
Searching the Planet for the Ultimate Groms
Rip Curl GromSearch European Final and Online Wildcard Winners Announced
The Rip Curl team is thrilled to announce that the European Final of the GromSearch series will be held in Anglet, France, on September 15th, and 16th, right before the Rip Curl Pro Anglet QS 3000.
READ MOREEvent History
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
European Final
All age divisions will be represented at the GromSearch European final. All the event winners will qualify for the European final. The remaining spots in each division will be made up of wildcards.
Rip Curl European Gromsearch online wildcards up for Grabs
Rip Curl will be awarding lucky surfers from the European countries where the Rip Curl Gromsearch didn’t take place in 2024 the chance to score a Wildcard entry to the European Final somewhere in September 2024.
So how do you score a Wildcard spot? Rip Curl is welcoming the return of #GromSearchOnline.
This online event will allow you to submit your greatest surf clips via Instagram. A panel of former GromSearch finalists, now professional Rip Curl athletes, will judge and decide on winners based on their favourite clips.
Who are the judges?
Former GromSearch Finalists, now Rip Curl professional athletes:
- Alys Barton (UK)
- Kyllian Guerin (France)
Here’s What You Need To Do To Enter:
1 - Post your best surf clips on Instagram with the hashtag #GromSearchOnline.
2 - Tag @ripcurl with your name, age division and location.
3 - You can enter as many times as you like.
4 - Entries are open until the 15th of July 2024
Example Caption:
“Gearoid McDaid”, 16 and Under boys, Sligo, Ireland, #GromSearchOnline, @ripcurl
If you are a Wildcard winner: one wildcard per age division. Each wildcard chosen gets to compete at the Rip Curl GromSearch European Final Somewhere in September
So, no matter what this season, Groms from all across Europe will have a chance to qualify to the European GromSearch Final.
Rip Curl European Gromsearch online wildcards up for Grabs
Rip Curl will be awarding lucky surfers from the European countries where the Rip Curl Gromsearch didn’t take place in 2024 the chance to score a Wildcard entry to the European Final somewhere in September 2024.
So how do you score a Wildcard spot? Rip Curl is welcoming the return of #GromSearchOnline.
This online event will allow you to submit your greatest surf clips via Instagram. A panel of former GromSearch finalists, now professional Rip Curl athletes, will judge and decide on winners based on their favourite clips.
Who are the judges?
Former GromSearch Finalists, now Rip Curl professional athletes:
- Alys Barton (UK)
- Kyllian Guerin (France)
Here’s What You Need To Do To Enter:
1 - Post your best surf clips on Instagram with the hashtag #GromSearchOnline.
2 - Tag @ripcurl with your name, age division and location.
3 - You can enter as many times as you like.
4 - Entries are open until the 15th of July 2024
Example Caption:
“Gearoid McDaid”, 16 and Under boys, Sligo, Ireland, #GromSearchOnline, @ripcurl
If you are a Wildcard winner: one wildcard per age division. Each wildcard chosen gets to compete at the Rip Curl GromSearch European Final Somewhere in September
So, no matter what this season, Groms from all across Europe will have a chance to qualify to the European GromSearch Final.
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:
- 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.
Total 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
| Event | Location | Dates |
| Event 1 | Portugal, Costa da Caparica | 1st, 2nd and 3rd April, 2024 |
| Event 2 | Spain, San Sebastian | 5th, 6th and 7th April, 2024 |
| Event 3 | UK, Newquay | 15th and 16th June, 2024 |
| Event 4 | France, Lacanau | 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th July, 2024 |
| European Final | France, Anglet | September 14th, 2024 |
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)
