The Rip Curl GromSearch
The Rip Curl GromSearch series started as a one-day surfing event at Victoria’s Jan Juc beach in 1999 and has developed to a worldwide series of events designed specifically for the 16 years and under surfer, commonly termed ‘grommets’.
The Rip Curl GromSearch series started as a one-day surfing event at Victoria’s Jan Juc beach in 1999 and has developed to a worldwide series of events designed specifically for the 16 years and under surfer, commonly termed ‘grommets’.

The series is designed to provide fun events for groms to enjoy themselves and meet crew from around the country, whilst developing their competitive game. As athletes progress to finals the elite level of competition comes into play, with many previous GromSearch competitors going on to the WSL world tour.

Men's WSL athletes that were former GromSearch finalists include: Gabriel Medina, Owen Wright, Italo Ferreira, Jordy Smith, Kolohe Andino, Filipe Toledo, Kanoa Igarashi, Ryan Callinan, Leonardo Fioravanti, Connor O’Leary & Morgan Cibilic. (Note that 4 of the top 5 surfers in the 2021 WSL Finals are all former GromSearch finalists, as well as 20 of the 34 athletes on the men’s WT)

Women's WSL athletes - Tyler Wright, Carissa Moore, Steph Gilmore, Sally Fitgibbons, Malia Manuel, Nikki Van Dijk, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Bronte McCaulay, Caroline Marks, Macy Callaghan, Brisa Hennessy, Isabella Nichols & Bethany Hamilton. (Note: GromSearch competitors have won the last 13 WSL women’s World Titles & compile 12 of the current 18 athletes on the women’s WT).

  • 1st Stop: Fregene, Lazio, Italy (March 2025) 
  • 2nd Stop: Costa Da Caparica, Portugal (April 7-9, 2025) 
  • 3rd Stop: Somo, Spain (May 2-4, 2025) 
  • 4th Stop: Croyde Bay, United Kingdom (June 7-8, 2025) 
  • 5th Stop: Lacanau, France (October 18-19, 2025) 
  • European Final: Capbreton-Hossegor-Seignosse | October 22-23

  • International Final: Capbreton-Hossegor-Seignosse / November 4-8
International

Event Information: The location for the prestigious Rip Curl GromSearch International Final covered by Sun Bum has been confirmed for 2024. The world’s best junior surfers aged 16 and under will be battling it out for the coveted crown on the tropical island of Bali.

Waiting Period: 13 - 17 November, 2024.

Event Location: Bali, Indonesia.

How To Watch: Stay tuned to Rip Curl's Instagram and TikTok for daily updates. Plus, watch the final day LIVE via our YouTube channel.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ripcurl/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ripcurl
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ripcurl

Rip Curl GromSearch Australian Champions (16’s division): 2024, Ben Zanatta (NSW) & Rosie Richardson (NSW)

Rip Curl GromSearch International Champions: 2024, Lukas Skinner and Eden Walla

2024 International Finalists:

Ben Zanatta (Australia)
Rosie Richardson (Australia)
Lucas Cassidy (United States)
Eden Walla (United Sates)
Carla Morera De La Vall (Europe)
Dylan Donegan Santos (Europe)
Louise Jane Lepront (South Africa)
Rory Dace (South Africa)
Ziggy Mackenzie (Australia)
Lucas Skinner (United Kingdom)
Western Hirst (Indonesia)
Victoria Muñoz Larreta (Argentina)
Aditya Somiya (Indonesia)
Jasemine Studer (Indonesia)

#GromSearchOnline wildcards

Catalina Zariquiey (Peru)
Dylan Wilcoxen (Indonesia)

Divisions

Boys

  • 16 and Under Boys
  • 14 and Under Boys
  • 12 and Under Boys

Girls

  • 16 and Under Girls
  • 14 and Under Girls
  • 12 and Under Girls
European Final

All age divisions will be represented at the GromSearch European final. All the event winners will qualify for the European final. The remaining spots in each division will be made up of wildcards.Rip Curl GromSearch International Champions:

  • 2024 - Bali, Indonesia - Lukas Skinner (GB) & Eden Walla (USA)
  • 2023 - Bells Beach, Victoria - Lukas Skinner (GB) & Erin Brooks (CAN) 
  • 2022 - Did not surf due to Covid restrictions  
  • 2021 - Did not surf due to Covid restrictions
  • 2020 – Did not surf due to Covid restriction
  • 2019 – Alfonso Atunes (PRT) & Caitlin Simmers (USA)
  • 2018 – Xavier Huxtable (AUS) & Keala Tomoda- Bannert (HAW)
  • 2017 – Kade Mtson (USA) & Caroline Marks (USA
  • 2016 – Nolan Rapoza (USA) & Brisa Hennessy (HAW)
  • 2015 – Samuel Pupo (BRA) & Leilani McGonagle (CRI)
  • 2014 – Pat Curren (USA) & Brisa Hennessy (HAW)
  • 2013 – Leonardo Fioravanti (ITL) & Tatiana Wetson-webb (HAW)
  • 2012 – Dylan Lightfoot (ZAF) & Tatiana Wetson-webb (HAW)
  • 2011 – Mitch Parkinson (AUS) & Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
  • 2010 – Gabriel Medina (BRA) & Bianca Buitendag (ZAF)
  • 2009 – Thomas Woods (AUS) & Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
  • 2008 – Dale Staples (ZAF) & Malia Manuel (HAW)
  • 2007 – Tyler Newton (HAW) & Tyler Wright (AUS)
  • 2006 – Owen Wright (AUS) & Alana Blanchard (HAW)
  • 2005 – Mason Ho (HAW) & Nikita Robb (ZAF)

The first GromSearch International final was held as part of the 2005 Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach. Mason Ho won the boys ahead of Jordy Smith and Matt Wilkinson.

National Final

Under 12, 14 and 16 divisions will be represented at the GromSearch National final. Qualification for the National final will be via a surfer’s placing at each individual event. At this stage, the first four surfers in each division, of each event, will qualify for the National final. The remaining spots in each division will be made up of wildcards.

Rip Curl GromSearch Australian Champions (16’s division):
  • 2024 Urbnsurf NSW – Ben Zanatta (NSW)  & Rosie Richardson (QLD)
  • 2023 URBNSURF, Vic - Ocean Lancaster (NSW) & Olive Hardy (WA)
  • 2022 URBNSURF, Vic - Tim Bain (QLD) & Jahly Stokes (QLD)
  • 2021 UrbnSurf, Vic - Lennix Smith (NSW) & Ellie Harrison (VIC)
  • 2020 Woonona, NSW – Mike Clayton-Brown (NSW) & Millie Allport (NSW)
  • 2019 Woonona, NSW – Finn Cox (WA) & Molly Picklum (NSW)
  • 2018 Wonoona, NSW – Finn Hill (NSW) & Piper Harrison (Qld)
  • 2017 North Narrabeen, NSW – Jay Brown (NSW) & Sasha Baker (Qld)
  • 2016 North Narrabeen, NSW – Lain O’Brien (Qld) & Sophia Fulton (NSW)
  • 2015 North Narrabeen, NSW – Kael Walsh (WA) & Jaleesa Vincent (Qld)
  • 2014 Coolum, Qld – Jackson Giles (NSW) & Isabella Nichols (Qld)
  • 2013 Coolum, Qld - Jackson Baker (NSW) & Isabella Nichols (Qld)
  • 2012 Coolum, Qld – Tommy Boucaut (NSW) & Kirsten Ogden NSW)
  • 2011 Coolum, Qld – Mitch Parkinson (Qld) & Ellie-Jean Coffey (NSW)
  • 2010 RCPro Bells Beach - Creed McTaggert (WA) & Nikki Van Dijk (Vic)
  • 2009 RCPro Bells Beach - Thomas Woods (Qld) & Felicity Palmateer (WA)
  • 2008 RCPro Bells Beach - Ryan Callinan (NSW) & Laura Enever (NSW)
  • 2007 RCPro Bells Beach – Davey Cathels (NSW) & Laura Enever (NSW)
  • 2006 RCPro Bells Beach – Stuart Kennedy (NSW) & Sally Fitzgibbons (NSW)
  • 2005 RCPro Bells Beach – Shaun Stevic (Qld) & Jessica Hickson (NSW)
  • 2004 RCPro Bells Beach – Matt Wilkinson (NSW) & Stephanie Gilmore (NSW)

    The first GromSearch National final was held during the 2004 Rip Curl Pro, Bells and was won by Matt Wilkinson and Steph Gilmore.
Rip Curl GromSearch International Champions:

Rip Curl GromSearch International Champions:

  • 2024- Canggu, Bali – Lukas Skinner (GB) & Eden Walla (USA)
  • 2023 - Bells Beach, Victoria - Lukas Skinner (GB) & Erin Brooks (CAN)
  • 2022 - Did not surf due to Covid restrictions
  • 2021 - Did not surf due to Covid restrictions
  • 2020 – Did not surf due to Covid restrictions
  • 2019 – Alfonso Atunes (PRT) & Caitlin Simmers (USA)
  • 2018 – Xavier Huxtable (AUS) & Keala Tomoda- Bannert (HAW)
  • 2017 – Kade Mtson (USA) & Caroline Marks (USA
  • 2016 – Nolan Rapoza (USA) & Brisa Hennessy (HAW)
  • 2015 – Samuel Pupo (BRA) & Leilani McGonagle (CRI)
  • 2014 – Pat Curren (USA) & Brisa Hennessy (HAW)
  • 2013 – Leonardo Fioravanti (ITL) & Tatiana Wetson-webb (HAW)
  • 2012 – Dylan Lightfoot (ZAF) & Tatiana Wetson-webb (HAW)
  • 2011 – Mitch Parkinson (AUS) & Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
  • 2010 – Gabriel Medina (BRA) & Bianca Buitendag (ZAF)
  • 2009 – Thomas Woods (AUS) & Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
  • 2008 – Dale Staples (ZAF) & Malia Manuel (HAW)
  • 2007 – Tyler Newton (HAW) & Tyler Wright (AUS)
  • 2006 – Owen Wright (AUS) & Alana Blanchard (HAW)
  • 2005 – Mason Ho (HAW) & Nikita Robb (ZAF)


The first GromSearch International final was held as part of the 2005 Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach. Mason Ho won the boys ahead of Jordy Smith and Matt Wilkinson.

International Titles By Country

16 YEARS, 32 TITLES.

  • Australian - 7
  • Brazil - 2
  • Costa Rican - 1
  • Hawaiian - 8
  • Italy - 1
  • Portugal - 1
  • South African - 4
  • USA - 7
  • Great Britain - 2