2020 GromSearch Wildcard Winners Selected!

For the last few weeks, twenty-four surfers from four divisions have been vying for the four remaining spots in our 2020 GromSearch National Final. These wildcards have been battling it out via clip submission thanks to our partners at Clippero.

After weeks of consideration, our GromSearch judging panel has filtered through all the clips and selected our four Wildcards. Congratulations to:

• Girls 16/U - Alyssa Spencer (17.27)
• Boys 16/U - Taj Lindblad (17.77)
• Boys 14/U - Hayden Rogers (16.70)
• Boys 12/U - Rex Hennings (16.83)

Click Here to View the Leaderboards via Clippero.

The battle for the Girls 16/U division was fierce, with Betty-Lou Johnson having the best single wave score of a 9.5 but falling short to Alyssa’s 17.27 combo. Taj, Hayden and Rex all swept their respective Boy’s divisions, with unanimous decisions across the board.

With all four of these surfers having ample time and experience in the BSR pool, there are sure to be some classic Wildcard upsets. In fact, both Alyssa and Hayden were Finalists in last years National Final, previously held at BSR.

We look forward to hosting our freshly crowned Wildcards and the rest of the National Final competitors this March in Texas!

GromSearch wouldn’t be possible without the support of our incredible event sponsors. Their dedication to the youth and future of surfing helps make GromSearch the elite platform that it is today. Shout out to 2020 sponsors; Banzai Bowls, BSR Surf Resort, PerfectSwell, GoPro, FCS, Softech, Flexfit, and …Lost Surfboards.

Please note the following disclaimer; due to the ongoing pandemic caused by COVID-19 the RCGS National Final is subject to change; Rip curl reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or adapt GromSearch National Final based on local, state, and national, CDC safety rules, and regulations.

Read below for prior Season updates, announcements and information.

Follow @ripcurl_usa on instagram to follow more GromSearch action!

 

Instead of neon jerseys speckled across its usual HB Pier event, competitors were given the opportunity to showcase their talent via a digital online voting platform. The event was an open and free invitation for any groms across USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico to submit their best two clips to be judged by a world-class WSL panel. The waves were scored 0.1 - 10.0, and a two wave heat total was assembled. Between three regions, and four divisions for each, over 450 clips were submitted, in the end the deserving winners of each division would earn the coveted invite to compete in the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final presented by Banzai Bowls, set to take place for the 2nd time at BSR Surf Resort, Waco, Texas. The playful and perfect peaks of a wave pool are a daily daydream for surfers, and with an opportunity to compete in that landscape, it ushered groms and grom-parents to focus their efforts on camcorders glued to the lineup in hopes of nailing the clip!

While the original scheduled slated the National Final to take place on October 10th, due to the ongoing pandemic, Rip Curl working alongside BSR Resort have officially postponed the event to March 2021. Allowing an additional six months in time will ideally ensure a much safer and welcoming environment to host the Nation’s top talent.

“The health and safety of our GromSearch competitors, families, sponsors, and staff is absolutely paramount. With a decision embraced with caution, responsibility, and an understanding of the challenges faced with travel, especially those coming from Hawaii, it is in the best interest of the event and Rip Curl due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic to postpone GromSearch until March 2021,” said Matt Myers, Rip Curl Team & Events Manager. “This is the best option to accommodate our dedicated competitors and ensure our rich tradition of GromSearch competition lives on.”

With the event postponed, Rip Curl will honor the qualifying surfer’s ages from 2020 to stay in the same age division heading into the rescheduled National Final for 2021. The event will have a tight capacity highlighting the elite winners that earned 1st place scores; 16/U Boy’s, 16/U Girl’s, 14/U Boy’s, and 12/U Boy’s, as well as the top four scores from the Banzai Bowls Airshow, and top four scores of the PerfectSwell Barrel Shoot Out presented by GoPro.

The online competition was stiff with top talent posting video clips that would make Kai Neville proud. From massive airs, full rail gouges, and fins free attacks, the judging panel had a tough job comparing wave to wave over and over again to make sure the scale was properly set. In the end after over 250 surfers’ talents were dissected, the following surfers won their respective divisions. Representing the Boy’s 16/U will be Luke Swanson, Nico Coli, and Owen Moss. Girl’s 16/U will be represented by Luana Silva, Sawyer Lindblad, and Zoe Benedetto. 14/U winners include Shion Crawford, Luke Wyler, and Owen Carter. While the 12/U division will feature Kenny Nishimoto, Eeli Timperi, and Cruz Dinofa.

The Banzai Bowls Airshow division was nothing short of a spectacular highlight reel. To add some fun, Rip Curl assigned world renowned aerial enthusiast Mason Ho to judge the competition. Mason not only gave a personal comment on every single entry (40 in total), but Mason also scored every air a minimum of 6 points. A classic twist that only Mason would come up with. In the end the top four airs would qualify for the BSR mega rap invitational to compete in the Banzai Bowl’s airshow. Top honors scoring a perfect 10 for an inverted ‘back-flip’ was Luke Swanson, 2nd went to Makana Franzmann for his Rocky point full rotation, 3rd Shion Crawford, and the only non-Hawaii qualifier was Ryan Huckabee in 4th representing Florida.

The PerfectSwell Barrel Shoot Out presented by GoPro featured an array of jaw dropping clips that would score enough for the groms to advance through a few Pipe Masters heats themselves. PerfectSwell, the wave technology behind BSR Surf Resort came up with the idea for this division as they plan to create a custom wave pool barrel called the ‘Grom Bomb.’ The top four scoring barrel riders not only earned the invitation for the event, but also $1,500 cash prize for an added bonus for their tube riding prowess. Top honors for his John Florence like late drop at Pipe and a 9.57 score went to California’s Tex Mitchell, runner-up for his backdoor screamer was Kepa Mendia, 3rd place young Tiger Abubo who wrangled his backdoor pit, and 4th went to Luke Swanson for a dreamy Pipeline drainer.

For those grom’s who finished 2nd and 3rd place in their respective Main Event divisions, they’ve earned themselves an invitation to participate in the GromSearch last chance qualifier ‘Wild Card Round.’ Meaning there will be an additional entry period with 24 groms (six per division) fighting for the final 4 spots at the National Final (one per division). This event will take place from Sept. 15 – Nov 15th. Giving those who just missed out one more chance to compete at BSR Surf Resort. Submit two more waves ridden between those dates, with all regions combined into one.

GromSearch wouldn’t be possible without the support of our incredible event sponsors. Their dedication to the youth and future of surfing helps make GromSearch the elite platform that it is today. Shout out to 2020 sponsors; Banzai Bowls, BSR Surf Resort, PerfectSwell, GoPro, FCS, Softech, Flexfit, and …Lost Surfboards.

Click Here for Full Event Standings and Results.

Follow @ripcurl_usa on instagram to follow more GromSearch action!

We are only days away from closing the online entries (Saturday 15th at Midnight), so we wanted to inform competitors of some very important rules and guidelines. We have gone through all of the clips that have been entered and there are a handful that are not meeting the necessary criteria to be counted/judged. If you do not meet this criteria your wave will be deleted and not judged.

A reminder of key entry rules:

1. You MUST label your clip with the date the wave was surfed. Either in the title, or in the video footage itself. Example of proper labeling: Alana Lopez FL 5/22/2020, or Luke S, Apr 2 2020, NS HI.
2. Your wave must be surfed in the region you entered. There are three total regions. West Coast, USA + Canada, Hawaiian Islands, and East Coast + Texas, USA + Puerto Rico.
3. For Main Event entries the judges will be focused on ‘High Performance Surfing.’ See below for exact terminology the judges are looking for.

2020 Rip Curl GromSearch Judging Criteria for Main Event Entries: Judging will be focused on the WSL criteria for high performance surfing and focused on major maneuvers with combinations and variety in the most critical sections of the waves submitted. Barrels will be considered but need to be combined with major scoring maneuvers to reach top scoring potential.

As a reminder the judging period will take place from August 16 – August 31. On September 1st Rip Curl will be announcing the results and winners. For the PerfectSwell Barrel Shoot Out presented by GoPro, this division will be voted on by the public within that same judging period. The Banzai Bowls Airshow division will be judged by non-other than Mason Ho. The Main Event will be judged by world class WSL judges from Hawaii, California, and Florida.

Please note the following disclaimer; due to the ongoing pandemic caused by COVID-19 the RCGS National Final is subject to change; Rip curl reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or adapt GromSearch National Final based on local, state, and national, CDC safety rules, and regulations.

Best of luck to all the Groms!

GromSearch couldn’t be possible without our great partners; Banzai Bowls, BSR Surf Resort, PerfectSwell, GoPro, Flexfit, FCS, Softech, Lost Surfboards, and Surfline.

Attention all groms! In true 2020 fashion, this years qualifying rounds have gone digital! Partnering with the premiere video-challenge platform, Clippero, our three regions will battle it out via video clip submission. Those who move on will face off at our National Title, held for the second time on the freshwater peaks of the BSR Surf Resort in Texas.

In addition to our regional qualifications, there will be two specialty events at our National Final that competitors may also submit their clips: the PerfectSwell Barrel Shoot Out presented by GoPro and the Banzai Bowls Airshow! Winners from those bonus categories will be featured in the two events during the event. Please click the links below for rules and more information:

Regional Qualifiers to National Final at BSR Surf Resort, Waco, Texas - October 10

Regions:

West Coast, USA + Canada
Hawaiian Islands
East Coast, USA + Texas + Puerto Rico

Divisions:

Boy's 16 & Under
Girl’s 16 & Under
Boy’s 14 & Under
Boy’s 12 & Under

How it Works:

Choose your region, division, and register (it's free).
Enter two separate single rides by video footage (based on rules listed below) prior to entry deadline Aug 15th. (Ensure each wave is a separate clip, each athlete will need to enter under their own profile/login)
RCGS National Final Qualifiers announced September 1st via Instagram @ripcurl_usa.

 

Entry Rules:

Cost: Free to enter

Regions: You can only enter one region, both video clips must be filmed from that region (your region is where your wave was surfed, not where you are from).

Region Example: You live in Hawaii, but spending time in California, you submit your waves from Lower Trestles into the West Coast Region. You are then surfing in the West Coast + Canada Region, and cannot submit waves into the Hawaii Region.

Division: You can only enter one division, ages are set as of January 1st, 2020.

Video Clips: Performance surfing only, each clip must be entered separately, no music, and regular motion (no slow motion). Please aim to enter wave from take off until wave is fully complete.

Labeling Your Entry: You must title each ride with surfer’s name, wave location/region, and the date wave was surfed.

Swapping Entries: You may swap out a wave for a new wave by deleting an entry to repopulate with a new entry prior to deadline.

Waves: You may submit two rights, two lefts, or a combination of one right and one left.

Wave Pools: Will not be permitted. Ocean surfing ONLY allowed for submission.

Wave Assist: Tow-in's, Tow-at's, Step-Offs, or any type of PWC assist will not be permitted for entry.

Competition Clips: Clips entered from previously surfed competitions from 2020 will be accepted.

Video Quality: Any camera quality is allowed; home video camcorder, iPhone, Surfline Camera Rewind, etc. However, clear quality is preferred

Video Clip Timeframe: Must be filmed anytime from Jan 1st, 2020 to Aug 15th, 2020.

Video Clip Deadline: Must be submitted on or before Aug 15th 11:59pm (region time zone).

Judges: Each wave reviewed and judged on 0.1-10 point system based on WSL Short Board judging criteria. Your combined score will be your 'Heat Score out of maximum 20 points.

Results & Leaderboard: Revealed Sept 1st, 2020

Judging Panel: Bill Seitz (from West Coast) - WSL North America Head and CT judge. Dave Shipley (from Hawaii) - Former WSL CT and WSL CT Women's head judge. Jeremy Saukel (from East Coast)- WSL judge.

Video Waiver Rights: By entering you give Rip Curl rights free use of video footage you submitted of your entry to be used at Rip Curl's discretion.

RCGS Qualifier Info:

Winners qualify for the National Final (Specific numbers TBD)
RCGS NF is a single day event, with two practice days available on October 8th and 9th.
RCGS will provide a practice round free for competitors the morning of the event.
RCGS will offer practice days at a reduced BSR event rate on Oct 8th and 9th.
Event Prizing TBD
You must confirm or decline your participation in the event by September 8th

 

Thanks to the 2020 GromSearch sponsors:

Banzai Bowls
BSR Surf Resort
PerfectSwell
GoPro
FCS
Softech
Flexfit
...Lost Surfboards
Surfline

Qualifiers to National Final at BSR Surf Resort, Waco, Texas - October 10

Region: USA + Canada + Puerto Rico

Divisions: 16 and Under Boy's + Girl's

How it Works:

Register at ripcurl.com/gromsearch (free entry)
Enter one single barrel by video footage (based on rules listed below) prior to entry deadline Aug 15th. Each athlete will need to enter under their own profile/login.
RCGS National Final PerfectSwell Shoot Out presented by GoPro Qualifiers announced September 1st via Instagram @ripcurl_usa. Specific qualifying numbers to be determined. 

 

Entry Rules:

Cost: Free to enter

Region: One single region to enter. USA (Hawaii) + Canada + Puerto Rico

Division: One division, 16 & Under Boy’s + Girl’s (DOB as of January 1st, 2020)

Video Clips: Submit your best single barrel! No music, and no slow motion. Please aim to showcase wave from take off until wave is fully complete.

GoPro Bonus: If you submit your clip using a GoPro camera and qualify in the top 10 you will earn a special bonus provided by GoPro (TBD).

Swapping Entries: You may swap out a wave for a new wave by deleting an entry to repopulate with a new entry prior to deadline.

Labeling Entries: Title each ride with surfer’s name, and the date wave was surfed.

Waves: Rights, lefts, frontside, or backside. Your choice!

Wave Pools: Will not be permitted. Ocean surfing ONLY allowed for submission.

Wave Assist: Tow-in's, Tow-at's, Step-Offs, or any type of PWC assist will not be permitted for entry.

Video Quality: Any camera quality is allowed; home video camcorder, iPhone, Surfline Camera Rewind, etc. However, clear quality is preferred

Video Clip Timeframe: Must be filmed anytime from Jan 1st, 2020 to Aug 15th, 2020.

Video Clip Deadline: Must be submitted on or before Aug 15th 11:59pm (region time zone).

Judges Scoring: Each wave reviewed and judged on 0.1 - 10-point system. The public will be the judges!

Judging Timeline: Public judging will open on August 16 at 9AM PST and close on August 21 5PM PST.

Results & Leaderboard: Revealed Sept 1st, 2020

Judging Panel: Public judging! Judging for the Barrel Shoot Out is determined by the public judging each wave. Promote yourself to get the best score that you can! Keep an eye on the leaderboard to see who finishes at the top!

Video Waiver Rights: By entering you give Rip Curl rights free use of video footage you submitted of your entry to be used at Rip Curl's discretion.

PerfectSwell Shoot Out presented by GoPro Info:

If you qualify, you do not need to qualify for the main event to accept your invitation.
Barrel Shoot Out will be one hour in duration.
Barrel Shoot Out will be one heat with all qualifying surfers receiving two rights and two lefts.
There will be an additional practice session for Barrel Shoot Out competitors consisting of the same format as the main heat.
Prizing TBD.
You must confirm or decline your participation in Barrel Shoot Out by September 8th.

 

Thanks to the 2020 GromSearch sponsors:

Banzai Bowls
BSR Surf Resort
PerfectSwell
GoPro
FCS
Softech
Flexfit
...Lost Surfboards
Surfline

Qualifiers to National Final at BSR Surf Resort, Waco, Texas - October 10

Region: USA + Canada + Puerto Rico

Divisions: 16 and Under Boy's + Girl's

How it Works:

Register at ripcurl.com/gromsearch (free entry)
Enter one single air by video footage (based on rules listed below) prior to entry deadline Aug 15th. Each athlete will need to enter under their own profile/login.
RCGS National Final Banzai Bowl’s Airshow Qualifiers announced September 1st via Instagram @ripcurl_usa. Specific qualifying numbers to be determined.

 

Entry Rules:

Cost: Free to enter

Region: One single region to enter. USA (Hawaii) + Canada + Puerto Rico

Division: One division, 16 & Under Boy’s + Girl’s (DOB as of January 1st, 2020)

Video Clips: Submit your best single air! No music, and no slow motion. Please aim to showcase wave from take off until wave is fully complete.

Swapping Entries: You may swap out a wave for a new wave by deleting an entry to repopulate with a new entry prior to deadline.

Labeling Entries: Title each ride with surfer’s name, and the date wave was surfed.

Waves: Rights, lefts, frontside, or backside. Your choice!

Wave Pools: Will not be permitted. Ocean surfing ONLY allowed for submission.

Wave Assist: Tow-in's, Tow-at's, Step-Offs, or any type of PWC assist will not be permitted for entry.

Video Quality: Any camera quality is allowed; home video camcorder, iPhone, Surfline Camera Rewind, etc. However, clear quality is preferred

Video Clip Timeframe: Must be filmed anytime from Jan 1st, 2020 to Aug 15th, 2020.

Video Clip Deadline: Must be submitted on or before Aug 15th 11:59pm (region time zone).

Judges Scoring: Each wave reviewed and judged on 0.1 - 10-point system. The public will be the judges!

Results & Leaderboard: Revealed Sept 1st, 2020

Judging Panel: Mason Ho: World’s most entertaining surfer and aerial surfing enthusiast. This is your chance to impress Mason Ho! Go big!

Video Waiver Rights: By entering you give Rip Curl rights free use of video footage you submitted of your entry to be used at Rip Curl's discretion.

Banzai Bowl's Airshow Info:

If you qualify, you do not need to qualify for main event to accept your BB Airshow Invitation.
BB Airshow heat will be one hour in duration.
BB Airshow will be one heat with all surfers receiving four rights and four lefts.
There will be an additional practice session for airshow competitors consisting of the same format as the airshow heat
Prizing TBD.
You must confirm or decline your participation in the Airshow by September 8th.

 

Thanks to the 2020 GromSearch sponsors:

Banzai Bowls
BSR Surf Resort
PerfectSwell
GoPro
FCS
Softech
Flexfit
...Lost Surfboards
Surfline

Questions? Contact Matt Myers, matt.myers@ripcurl.com

Disclaimer: Per CDC/WHO/Local, State, and National Guidelines Rip Curl reserves the right to cancel GromSearch National Final if deemed unsafe for its competitors.