The Rip Curl GromSearch 2024 is about to start again in Europe! For the 2024 edition, French, English, Spanish and Portuguese Groms will go through their National event to qualify for the European Final.
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’.
What is the series all about?
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.
GromSearch competitors have won the last 13 WSL women’s World Titles & compile 12 of the current 18 athletes on the women’s WT.
All age divisions will be represented at the GromSearch European final.
All the event winners will qualify for the European final.
The under-16, under 14 and under 12 male and female surfers from the countries where the GS will not take place in 2024 will have a chance to score a wildcard entry to the European Final somewhere in 2024.
Rip Curl European GromSearch online wildcards up for Grabs
Rip Curl will be awarding lucky surfers from the European countries where the Rip Curl GromSearch didn’t take place in 2024 the chance to score a Wildcard entry to the European Final somewhere in September 2024.
So how do you score a Wildcard spot? Rip Curl is welcoming the return of #GromSearchOnline.
This online event will allow you to submit your greatest surf clips via Instagram.
A panel of former GromSearch finalists, now professional Rip Curl athletes, will judge and decide on winners based on their favorite clips.
Who will be the judges?
Former GromSearch Finalists, now Rip Curl professional athletes:
– Alys Barton (UK)
– Kyllian Guerin (France)
Here’s What You Need To Do To Enter:
1 – Post your best surf clips on Instagram with the hashtag #GromSearchOnline.
2 – Tag @ripcurl with your name, age division and location.
3 – You can enter as many times as you like.
4 – Entries are open until the 15th of July 2024
Example Caption:
“Gearoid McDaid”, 16 and Under boys, Sligo, Ireland, #GromSearch0nline, @ripcurl
If you are a Wildcard winner: one wildcard per age division. Each wildcard chosen gets to compete at the Rip Curl GromSearch European Final Somewhere in Fall.
So, no matter what this season, Groms from all across Europe will have a chance to qualify to the European GromSearch Final.
EUROPEAN 2024 RIP CURL GROMSEARCH SCHEDULE:
- PORTUGAL, Costa da Caparica on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd April, 2024
- SPAIN, San Sebastian on the 5th, 6th and 7th April, 2024
- UK, Newquay on the 15th and 16th June, 2024
- FRANCE, Lacanau on the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th July, 2024
- EUROPEAN FINAL “Somewhere”
PARTNERS 2024:
In its second year of partnership, Oakley proudly continues its support of the European Gromsearch series.
The best sunglasses brand in the business will showcase its latest products for attendees to test and offer exciting prizes to competitors. Oakley will also reward the highest score at each stop with a €500 cheque!
Last, but not least, the new “OAKLEY GRAND PRIZE” will see the grom winner embark on an unforgettable journey for two to the Portugal WCT, accompanied by a two-hour coaching session led by former pro surfer, Tom Whitaker.
The historical GromSearch Partner! Rip Curl is very happy to count FCS again for this new edition! On the menu, many prizes for the competitors and sets for the local shaper test center.
LOCAL SHAPERS
Each stop will see a local shaper get some of his surfboards out for testing. Groms will be able to test new shapes and different FCS options.
-POLEN surfboard – Portugal
-Cabianca surfboard – Spain / France
–Skindog surfboard – UK
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
A non for profit in each country will be attending the event with environmental incentive & educational topics.
UK STOP – more information specific to our event will follow 6-8 weeks prior to the contest.
