The Rip Curl GromSearch
Multiple Locations across EuropeSeason Schedule:
1st Stop: Fregene, Lazio, Italy (March 2025)
2nd Stop: Costa Da Caparica, Portugal (April 7-9, 2025)
3rd Stop: Somo, Spain (May 2-4, 2025)
4th Stop: Croyde Bay, United Kingdom (June 7-8, 2025)
5th Stop: Lacanau, France (August 28-31, 2025)
European Final: Somewhere | TBC
Searching the Planet for the Ultimate Groms
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
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 GromSearch International Champions:
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2024 - Bali, Indonesia - Lukas Skinner (GB) & Eden Walla (USA)
- 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 restriction
- 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)
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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.
The prestigious Rip Curl GromSearch International Final presented by Sun Bum took place on the tropical island of Bali, from November 13 to 17, 2024.
The winners were Lukas Skinner (UK) and Eden Walla (USA) — huge congrats to both!