08/07/2024
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. This highly anticipated event follows an exciting series of competitions across Europe, where young surfers showcased their exceptional skills and competitive spirit.
Over the past three years, Rip Curl has consistently provided a professional platform for young surfers to compete, enhancing the future of the sport. These events are not only enjoyable and social occasions for kids under 16, but they also serve a greater purpose. Rip Curl is dedicated to training these young "grommets" for competitive surfing while promoting healthy lifestyles and habits. This dual focus on fun and development helps foster a new generation of surfers who are both skilled in the sport and committed to overall well-being.
The Oakley grand prize will also return this year, offering the exciting opportunity for a competitor to win a trip to Peniche during the Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal. The prize includes a training session with former pro-surfer and now Oakley head coach Tom Whitaker and a meeting with the Oakley team rider, providing an invaluable experience for the winners to enhance their surfing skills under expert guidance.
“On behalf of Oakley, it has been another successful partnership with the Rip Curl GromSearch Series in Europe, targeting and engaging with the youth, which is a key strategy to ensure great brand health amongst Gen Z! We look forward to another successful Finals event,” says Seth Hulley, Oakley Sport Marketing Manager.
The whole GromSearch team, partners, and followers are looking forward to seeing these finals unfold!
**Announcement of Online Wildcard Winners**
The results of the Online GromSearch are in! Kyllian Guerrin and Alys Barton have selected their favorite #GromSearch online videos based on technique, drive, and style. These talented young surfers have earned wildcards to compete in the European Final.
“I can’t wait to see them all out there competing for their ticket to the International Final!” says Yann Martin, Rip Curl team manager. “I watched them surf at the last ISA Junior in El Salvador, and they were incredible. The level is high, and they can definitely hold their own against the other regions.”
Here are the names of the GromSearch Online competition winners:
**U12 Girls:** Caterina Congiu from Italy
**U12 Boys:** Rocco Rigliaco from Italy
**U14 Girls:** Miliani Simon from Tahiti
**U14 Boys:** Tristan Straetz from Germany
**U16 Girls:** Chiara Cuppone from Italy
**U16 Boys:** Jorre Claeys from Belgium
The Oakley grand prize will also return this year, offering the exciting opportunity for a competitor to win a trip to Peniche during the Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal. The prize includes a training session with former pro-surfer and now Oakley head coach Tom Whitaker and a meeting with the Oakley team rider, providing an invaluable experience for the winners to enhance their surfing skills under expert guidance.
“On behalf of Oakley, it has been another successful partnership with the Rip Curl GromSearch Series in Europe, targeting and engaging with the youth, which is a key strategy to ensure great brand health amongst Gen Z! We look forward to another successful Finals event,” says Seth Hulley, Oakley Sport Marketing Manager.
The whole GromSearch team, partners, and followers are looking forward to seeing these finals unfold!
**Announcement of Online Wildcard Winners**
The results of the Online GromSearch are in! Kyllian Guerrin and Alys Barton have selected their favorite #GromSearch online videos based on technique, drive, and style. These talented young surfers have earned wildcards to compete in the European Final.
“I can’t wait to see them all out there competing for their ticket to the International Final!” says Yann Martin, Rip Curl team manager. “I watched them surf at the last ISA Junior in El Salvador, and they were incredible. The level is high, and they can definitely hold their own against the other regions.”
Here are the names of the GromSearch Online competition winners:
**U12 Girls:** Caterina Congiu from Italy
**U12 Boys:** Rocco Rigliaco from Italy
**U14 Girls:** Miliani Simon from Tahiti
**U14 Boys:** Tristan Straetz from Germany
**U16 Girls:** Chiara Cuppone from Italy
**U16 Boys:** Jorre Claeys from Belgium
European qualifiers recap:
U12 girls
U12 girls
- Sienna Rodrigues (pt)
- Nahia Calder (sp)
- Ellie Hickie (uk)
- Capucine Goni (fr)
- Catarina Congiu (it)
- Fynn Crato (pt)
- Stefano Mandozzi (sp)
- Harvey Waters (uk)
- Albin Gourio (fr)
- Rocco Rigliaco (it)
- Suri Rodrigues (pt)
- Ane Loreiro (sp)
- Lila Skinner (uk)
- Rose Calvez (fr)
- Miliani Simon (tahiti)
- Martinho De Barros (pt)
- Alvaro Casanova (sp)
- Noah Cerne (uk)
- Ethan Fernandez (fr)
- Tristan Straez (ge)
- Miriam Juliao (pt)
- Carla Morera delavall (sp)
- Sunny Ingram (uk)
- Clémence Schorsch (fr)
- Chiara Cuppone (it)
- Jaime Veselko (pt)
- Dylan Donegan (sp)
- Lukas Skinner (uk)
- Estaban Coucoulis-Lapierre (fr)
- Jorre Claeys (be)