Stop 2 of the Rip Curl GromSearch hits Kewalos
The Rip Curl GromSearch, presented by Banzai Bowls, made its second stop at Kewalos July 13-14, 2024 on the beautiful island of Oahu
With surf conditions pumping in the 8-12ft range, the groms showcased their incredible talent, drawing in a global audience of over 8,000 viewers via the Couch Surfing Show livestream.
The event was nothing short of spectacular, with young surfers from across the globe putting their skills to the test amidst challenging waves. Here’s a rundown of the winners who triumphed in their respective categories:
Under 14 Girls: Zoe Panettiere from Pacific Beach, San Diego, emerged victorious with her exceptional performance in the powerful surf.
Under 14 Boys: Merrik Mochkatel, representing North Shore, Oahu, claimed the top spot with his mastery of the waves and impressive maneuvers.
Under 16 Girls: Bailey Turner hailing from Huntington Beach, CA, demonstrated her prowess and took home the title in a tightly contested division.
Under 16 Boys: Reef Isono, representing Oahu, HI, dominated his category with remarkable skill and wave selection.
These talented surfers have now earned their spots in the prestigious Rip Curl GromSearch National Final, scheduled to take place at Palm Springs Surf Club on October 5th. This final showdown promises to be an electrifying event where the best young surfers in the country will battle it out for the ultimate prize.
Notable mentions go out to Merrick Mochkatel for nailing the event’s highest heat total (17.10) earning him a custom Lost Surfboard shaped by Matt Biolos. Also, big shout out to Pax Tybuszewski for hammering the Banzai Bowls Best Maneuver pocketing him $300. Lastly – combining sheer talent with creativity and positivity was Keano Jardine winning the Soft Tech Expression Session earning himself a brand-new Soft Tech Surfboard.
The entire event was made possible by the generous support of our sponsors: Banzai Bowls, Flexfit, Sun Bum, Yeti, FCS, Soft Tech, Lokai, Lost, and Oakley. Their commitment to nurturing young talent in the sport of surfing is truly commendable and has contributed to the success of the Rip Curl GromSearch series.
For those who missed out on the action, fret not! You can catch all the highlights and updates on the Couch Surfing Show, where the thrilling moments from Kewalos will be showcased for your viewing pleasure.
As we look forward to the National Final at Palm Springs Surf Club, let's continue to support these young surfers as they chase their dreams and inspire us all with their passion for riding the waves. Stay tuned for more exciting updates and be sure not to miss the culmination of the Rip Curl GromSearch 2024 journey!
Next stop, Qualifier #3 at New Smyrna Beach, FL on August 17-18, 2024 – Live on the Couch Surfing Show.
Rip Curl GromSearch Final Results – Stop 2 – Kewalos, Hi.
Under 14 Girls:
1st Place: Zoe Panettiere (Total Heat Score 10.63)
2nd Place: Kiki Oshiro-Kaneshiro (Total Heat Score 10.36)
3rd Place: Mana Cazimero (Total Heat Score 9.06)
4th Place: U'ilani Nakao (Total Heat Score 6.83)
Under 14 Boys:
1st Place: Merrik Mochkatel (Total Heat Score 12.50)
2nd Place: Matias Banto (Total Heat Score 10.73)
3rd Place: Idren Sardinha (Total Heat Score 8.94)
4th Place: Kona Costa (Total Heat Score 6.84)
Under 16 Girls:
1st Place: Bailey Turner (Total Heat Score 15.26)
2nd Place: Skai Suitt (Total Heat Score 15.17)
3rd Place: Chesney Guinotte (Total Heat Score 14.30)
4th Place: Haven Francisco (Total Heat Score 2.33)
Under 16 Boys:
1st Place: Reef Isono (Total Heat Score 14.20)
2nd Place: Given Goodwin (Total Heat Score 14.07)
3rd Place: Pax Tybuszewski (Total Heat Score 10.17)
4th Place: Kahanu Rangel (Total Heat Score 7.93)
