Gabriel Medina To Host Rip Curl GromSearch International Final

Photo: Mick Curley

Current WSL World Champion Gabriel Medina is preparing to welcome Rip Curl GromSearch champions from around the world to his home break of Maresias Beach, Sao Paulo, Brazil for the prestigious Rip Curl GromSearch International Final, April 28 to May 3, 2015.

National GromSearch champions from regions including Australia, USA, Chile, New Zealand, Indonesia and Europe will face off against their Brazilian counterparts at the iconic beach break of Maresias for the chance to follow in Medina’s footsteps and become part of GromSearch history.

Medina joined the elite list of Rip Curl GromSearch International champions when he won the 2010 final at Bells Beach, Australia.

The current WSL World Champion sees the event as an important stepping-stone for an international career and has made time to host the next generation.

“I’m so stoked that Rip Curl has chosen Maresias for the final,” Medina said. “To share my home beach with these guys is going to mean so much to me.”

The 2014 International GromSearch final was won by Californian Pat Curren (photo) and Hawaiian Brisa Hennessy, contested in flawless conditions at the exotic location of Lakey Peak, Indonesia.

The location for the 2015 International final, Maresias Beach, home of some of the best waves in Brazil, can produce powerful waves and hollow barrels on its day, and with a six-day event window the groms will have time on the side to score Sao Paulo at its best.

“The groms will love the waves, and the locals will welcome the visitors and really appreciate the high standard of surfing,” Medina said.

“They are the next crop of champions, and I’m stoked they’re coming to my home beach.”

The Rip Curl GromSearch is a worldwide series of surfing events for the 16 years and under surfers; the ‘grommets’, and is now established as a key indicator of the future stars of world surfing.

It all started in 1999 as a one-day event at Jan Juc beach, Australia, and has developed into a global series providing surfers with the elite competitive experience needed for further development in their careers.

The Rip Curl GromSearch has grown into the biggest grom event series in the world with the first International final held at Bells Beach in 2005.

2015 marks the 12th year of the Rip Curl GromSearch.