RIP CURL GROMSEARCH INTERNATIONAL FINAL COVERED BY SUN BUM
Waiting period of the event: 7th Nov - 9th Nov
The Final will bring together 16 of the world’s best U16 surfers to battle it out for the title of International Champion, following a year of GromSearch events scouring the globe for the next generation of surfing talent.
Across each region, surfers compete through a series of events for the chance to qualify for their National Final and ultimately earn a coveted spot representing their country on the international stage.
With the International Final moving to a new location each year, Narrabeen follows Hossegor, France, in 2025 and Canggu, Bali, in 2024. The event’s return to Australia marks the first time the country has hosted the Final since Bells Beach in 2023.
List of International Athletes
AUS - Lennox Lindsay
AUS - Taila Tabb
USA - Finn Castle
USA - Teagan Meza
BRA - Isabel Carvalho Meyer
BRA - Arthur Vilar
EUR - Carla Morera De La Vall
EUR - Alvaro Casanova
IND - Dian Septiari
IND - Aditya Putra Somiya
SAF - Carl Wiesma
SAF - Leah Lepront
RC WILDCARD - Zac Johnston
2 x Local Wildcards
Australia to Host 2026 RIP CURL GROMSEARCH INTERNATIONAL FINAL COVERED BY SUN BUM
The wave-rich region of Narrabeen has today been announced as the official location for the prestigious 2026 Rip Curl GromSearch International Final covered by Sun Bum, to be held from November 7 – 10, 2026.
2026 Event Schedule
Stop #1
Tonfano, Italy (Waiting period from April 4 to May 15)
Stop #2
Somo, Spain (May 1 to 3)
Stop #3
Newquay, United Kingdom (May 23 and 24)
Stop #4
Ericeira, Portugal (June 5 to 7)
Stop #5
Lacanau, France (August 26 to 29)
European Final
O2 Surftown Munich, Germany (September 19)
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).
Learn More About GromSearch
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
Under 12, 14 and 16 divisions will be represented at the GromSearch European final. Qualification for the European final will be via a surfer’s placing at each individual event. At this stage, the first surfer in each division, of each event, will qualify for the National final.
Rip Curl GromSearch International Champions:
Rip Curl GromSearch International Champions:
- 2025- Ocean Lancaster (NSW) &Eliza Richardson (QLD)
- 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 - 9
- Brazil - 2
- Costa Rican - 1
- Hawaiian - 8
- Italy - 1
- Portugal - 1
- South African - 4
- USA - 7
- Great Britain - 2
