The Rip Curl GromSearch
Multiple Locations across Europe Season Schedule:
Event 1: Portugal, Costa da Caparica | 1st, 2nd and 3rd April, 2024
Event 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
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 | Somewhere | September 2024 |