Rip Curl GromSearch Kicks Off 2024 Season in Pumping Conditions at Huntington Beach
The Rip Curl GromSearch presented by Banzai Bowls commenced its highly anticipated 2024 season with an electrifying event held on the south side of the Huntington Beach pier.
Ideal conditions of peaking four to six-foot swell under sunny skies set the stage for season opener at this iconic surf destination. As family and friends rooted their favorite groms on from the beach, ten thousand spectators engaged online via the latest edition to the GromSearch season, The Couch Surfing Show.
In a display of youthful talent and skill, emerging surfers from across the region showcased their prowess, culminating in the crowning of division champions. Quaid Fahrion from Costa Mesa emerged victorious in the Boys Under 16 division, while Eden Walla from San Clemente claimed the title in the Girls Under 16 division. In the Boys Under 14 category, Brody Buck of Encinitas surfed his way to victory, and Marlynn Glaub of South Florida triumphed in the Girls Under 14 division.
These talented finalists have earned coveted spots in the 2024 Rip Curl GromSearch National Final, scheduled to take place at the Palm Springs Surf Club on October 5. Come November, the stakes are high as the Boys Under 16 and Girls Under 16 National Champions will advance to Lakey Peak, Indonesia, to compete in the GromSearch International Final pitted against winners from seven other global regions, including Australia, Europe, and Brazil.
The event also featured standout performances recognized by Banzai Bowls, with Zion Walla achieving the highest heat score of the competition with an impressive total of 18.83 in the Semi Finals. Zion's exceptional skills were further acknowledged with the Lost Surfboards Maneuver of the event, executing an inverted, full rotation air that secured him a custom Lost Surfboard. The final, and arguably most entertaining specialty heat came from the Soft Tech Expression session where a hosts of groms went lawless in the water trying to put on the most expressive maneuvers. Kahill Schooley proved she had the special sauce to win over the judges and take home a brand-new Soft Tech Surfboard.
"We are stoked on the level of talent and commitment displayed at the first stop of the Rip Curl GromSearch," said Rip Curl’s VP of Marketing, PJ Connell. "Congratulations to all the winners and finalists who have set a high standard for the season ahead. We look forward to an exciting journey culminating in the international showdown at Lakey Peak."
Results:
Stop 1: Southside Huntington Beach Pier, CA
Boys U/16
1st: Quaid Fahrion 13.07
2nd: Makai Castle 12.93
3rd: Lucas Cassity 10.43
4th: Petey Romaniiuk 6.17
Girls U/16
1st: Eden Walla 16.07
2nd: Reid Van Wagoner 13.73
3rd: Alana Lopez 11.37
4th: Siqi Yang 11.33
Boys U/14
1st: Brody Buck 13.17
2nd: Finn Castle 13.00
3rd: Tanner Sandvig 9.37
4th: Zion Walla 9.03
Girls U14
1st: Marlynn Glaub 13.90
2nd: Lola Fleming 12.10
3rd: Riviera Hunter 11.67
4th: Kirra Huntress 10.67
Up next, stop 2 of the Rip Curl GromSearch will take place on July 13-14 @ Kewalso on the South Shore of Oahu, Hi.
Be sure to tune and catch the action on The Couch Surfing Show.
