2016 Rip Curl GromSearch International Final

Photo: Rip Curl

April 28th, 2016. Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.

World’s best junior surfers are getting ready to compete for the 2016 Rip Curl GromSearch International final at Ala Moana Bowls on Oahu, Hawaii.

Rip Curl GromSearch National Champions from 7 regions around the world, including Europe, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Indonesia, South Africa and South America will converge on the Hawaiian island to compete for the coveted International title.

Competition will take place at the grinding left-hander of Ala Moana Bowls, which is situated along the southern shores of the island of O’ahu and features a vast stretch of reef protected white sandy beaches. This prestigious event has a 4-day waiting period to allow the world’s best juniors to compete in the best available conditions. Competition waiting period: May 3rd – May 6th, 2016.

Competitors List:

Australia: Liam O’Brien & Sophia Fulton
Brazil: Anderson Junior & Luara Thompson
Costa Rica: Leilani McGonagle
Europe (France): Mathis Crozon & Juliette Brice
Hawaii: Wyatt McHale, Brisa Hennessy
, & Summer Macedo
Indonesia: Rio Waida & Cinta Hansel
New Zealand: Kehu Butler & Raiha Ensor
South Africa: Koby Oberholzer
USA: Nolan Rapoza

Since Rip Curl developed the concept for the GromSearch events in 1999, the series has spread throughout the surfing world and now culminates with an International final held at a different location each year. The world-wide series is held for male and female surfers aged 16 years and under, commonly referred to as “groms”, the aim of the GromSearch is to nurture and recruit the next generation of surfers at a grassroots level.

Former GromSearch champions include current WSL World Tour stars; Gabriel Medina, Owen Wright, Nikki Van Dijk, Tyler Wright and Alana Blanchard.