WATCH LIVE INTERNATIONAL FINAL !
The Rip Curl GromSearch International Final
The world’s best junior surfers aged 16 and under are about to battle it out for the coveted crown of Rip Curl GromSearch International Champion at the beach breaks of Hossegor, France.
Young surfing phenoms around the planet competed in national events to see who will secure the coveted few spots for the 2025 International Final. Just eight girls and eight boys made the cut, from regions like the USA, Australia, Indonesia, Europe and South Africa. There are also two international wildcard slots per division, including the #GromSearchOnline winners.
2025 Event Schedule:
Stop #1
Tofino, British Columbia: May 9th – May 11th
Stop #2
Huntington Beach, California: May 31st – June 1st
Stop #3
Kewalo Basin, Oahu, Hawaii: July 12th – 13th
Stop #4
Ocean City, New Jersey: August 16th – 17th(location – 7th Street)
National Final
Atlantic Surf Park, Virginia Beach, Virginia: October 4th
Qualification
Stop #1 – Tofino
The below 8 Finalists from Tofino will qualify for the National Final at the wave pool in Virginia Beach:
- U14 Girls: 1st-2nd Place
- U14 Boys: 1st-2nd Place
- U16 Girls: 1st-2nd Place
- U16 Boys: 1st-2nd Place
Stops #2, #3, & #4 – Huntington Beach, Oahu, Ocean City
The below 16 Finalists from CA, HI, & NJ will qualify for the National Final at the wave pool in Virginia Beach:
- U14 Girls: 1st-4th Place
- U14 Boys: 1st-4th Place
- U16 Girls: 1st-4th Place
- U16 Boys: 1st-4th Place
From there, at the National Final, 1st place U16 Girls and 1st place U16 Boys will earn a spot to the International Final (location TBD).
Registration
Registration for Stop #1, Tofino, is live at liveheats.com/events/319751 under the GromSearch events. Registration for Stops #2-4 (California, Hawaii, New Jersey) is live at liveheats.com/ripcurl. Entry is $100 per competitor, per event. Age divisions are Under 16 & Under 14 as of 1/1/25. IE - if you are 16 years old on or before this date you aged out and are unable to compete.
For any immediate questions, please contact Rip Curl Community Marketing Manager, Madeleine Blackwell, madeleine.blackwell@ripcurl.com.
See you on the beach!
The Couch Surfing Show
Alani Media’s The Couch Surfing Show is Southern California’s #1 Live Surf News Show. Their hosts, Joe, Noah and Omar of Alani Media bring analysts onto the beach all across Southern California’s best surf breaks to talk surf news and report on the epic action unfolding live. For GromSearch, they will be onsite at 4 stops (Huntington Beach, Kewalo Basin, Ocean Beach, and the National Final @ Atlantic Surf Park) providing live updates on heats, and bringing groms onto the couch to chat live.
The North America Rip Curl GromSearch presented by FlexFit is BACK and BIGGER than ever!
Searching the planet for the ultimate groms.
The Rip Curl GromSearch, one of the most exciting youth surfing events in North America, is back for 2025. This year marks the 26th anniversary of GromSearch, a key event for surfers ages under 16, the "groms." The event was founded by Rip Curl legend Doug ‘Claw’ Warbrick in 1999 with the goal of discovering and fostering the next generation of surfing champions at the grassroots level. Over the years, many of today’s household name surfers have used the GromSearch as a stepping stone to professional success - Stephanie Gilmore, Caroline Marks, Gabriel Medina, Erin Brooks, and Mason Ho to name a few.
This year’s GromSearch is presented by FlexFit! Followed by an amazing lineup of sponsors including Sun Bum, Yeti, Skull Candy, FCS, Banzai Bowls, Channel Islands, Oakley, Sticky Bumps, Murf E-Bikes, and Wahoo’s Fish Tacos. These brands share Rip Curl’s passion for surf culture and the growth of young athletes, making the GromSearch an unforgettable experience for all involved.
These events offer groms the chance to compete in a fun, competitive environment and connect with sponsors, surf industry professionals, and media partners. The series isn’t just about competition – it’s about building a community. With incredible support from The Couch Surfing Show, the GromSearch official media partner, fans will get exclusive live content, highlights, and behind-the-scenes coverage of each event stop.
The 2025 series will travel to some of the most iconic surf locations across the continent, offering surfers the opportunity to showcase their skills and earn a place in the National Final. The GromSearch is a testament to Rip Curl’s ongoing commitment to nurturing and developing the youth of surfing.
