It’s ON – 2024 Rip Curl Grom Search at Fistral beach in Newquay promises to be an exciting stop on the European Rip Curl calendar
We are thrilled to be able to call the event ON, taking place across the dates of Saturday 15th – Sunday 16th June in Newquay.
Due to a powerful six-foot swell showing on the surf charts, the contest beach location is subject to change on one or both days of competition! For real-time updates, please join our WhatsApp group HERE.
We extend a warm welcome to the UK’S finest Junior (Grom) shortboarders. Divisions running are Under 12 boys and girls, Under 14 boys and girls, and Under 16 boys and girls.
A total of 110 surfers have entered, giving over 15 hours of gripping competition heats. The event kicks off bright and early on Saturday morning.
We have some very strong UK competitors, who have a real chance of taking the title of 2024 RIP CURL GromSearch European champion this year! Finals location and dates in Europe still to be confirmed.
Live scoring of the event will be available via LiveHeats. The heat draw has been published HERE in advance of the weekend, although it remains subject to change.
Ensuring the safety of all participants in the water and providing any media cover as required, beach lifeguards from CG Safety Cover will be present throughout the weekend.
What is the Rip Curl GromSearch?
For the 2024 edition, French, English, Spanish and Portuguese Groms will go through their National event to qualify for the European Final. Location for the final TBC.
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.
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 Grom Search 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 of the Final contest?
Former GromSearch Finalists, now Rip Curl professional athletes:
– Alys Barton (UK), member of Team England
– Kyllian Guerin (France)
RIP CURL PARTNERS 2024:
OAKLEY
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.
FCS
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.
MEMBERSHIP
You must be a member of your home federation to compete at this contest. For all English surfers, you must be a Surfing England member to compete. You can check the status of your membership or set up a membership here.
We welcome all new members to Surfing England; memberships start at just £18 – £25 a year. Included in membership is worldwide personal accident cover, including wave pools, and some great discounts! Join us here.
PARTNERS
Thank you to Fistral Beach who will host us for the Rip Curl GromSearch. Thanks to CG Safety Cover for the Lifeguard Cover, and thank you to The Hangout for providing our staff with super tasty food, keeping us fuelled throughout the contest.
CONTACT US
For all event enquiries please contact: lauren@surfingengland.org
For all membership enquiries, please contact: lenka@surfingengland.org
