About:

The GromSearch offers young surfers under 16 (girls and boys) the chance to show off their talents in the environment of a friendly and relaxed competition, and therefore is seen by most of the groms as the best event in the world.

Event guide:

Thanks to Rip Curl’s partners, Citroën, Smith, FCS, and Gorilla, the European Gromsearch series will be back in 2018 looking for the best European surfers under 16.


Since its inception in Australia in 1999, the GromSearch series has continually unearthed the next generations of surfing stars and is now seen by most of the kids as one of the best and funnest event in the world.

Current WSL World Tour surfers (2017) who have competed in the Rip Curl GromSearch include, between others:

Gabriel Medina (Brazil), Kolohe Andino (USA), Felipe Toledo (Brazil), Jordy Smith (South Africa), Tyler Wright (Australia), Stephanie Gilmore (Australia), Sally Fitzgibbons (Australia)

The best Groms surfing the best European waves


This year, Rip Curl will travel to 15 spots in 7 European countries (France, Spain, Portugal, United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy & Netherlands) searching for the best up and coming surfers. 3 stops in Ireland, Portugal (Porto) and Spain (Salinas) will be added to the schedule.


All Rip Curl GromSearch events include boys’ and girls’ divisions in 16-and-under, 14-and-under, and 12-and-under age groups. Surfers receive points for their results in each event, which then count towards a National GromSearch ratings system. The best under 16 boys and girls from each country will go straight to the World Finals.
The International GromSearch Finals will be held “Somewhere” in one of the best spot in the World and Rip Curl will only reveal the location of the final a few week before the event to keep the excitement all the way to the end!