SUNSHINE COAST, QUEENSLAND (Friday 9 December, 2022) – Next week, the Sunshine Coast will host the prestigious Rip Curl GromSearch Qualifier at Coolum Beach, 12 – 15 December.
Almost 150 groms from around the state and nation will go head-to-head for a position in the National Final to be held at URBNSURF in March, 2023.
Last year’s Rip Curl GromSearch 12 & Under Girls National winner and current Under 14 Australian Champion, Eliza Richardson (Sunshine Beach, QLD), is fired up and eager to go back-to-back.
“After a very exciting and successful comp at the Australian Titles on North Stradbroke Island last week, I’m looking forward to putting the rash vest back on to compete at the Rip Curl GromSearch on Monday,” said Richardson. “I have great memories of last year’s event at Coolum and had lot’s of fun competing at URBNSURF at the National Final.”
The GromSearch Series runs in more than 10 countries, with over 3,000 competitors worldwide.
The worldwide series of events is designed for grommets and features Under 12 Boys, Under 12 Girls, Under 14 Boys, Under 14 Girls, Under 16 Boys and Under 16 Girls divisions.
RIP CURL GROMSEARCH SERIES – 2022/23
EVENT 1 – Jan Juc, Vic – Sept 17-19, 2022
EVENT 2 – Newcastle, NSW – Sept 29- Oct 2, 2022
EVENT 3 – Coolum, Qld – Dec 12-15, 2022
National Final – URBNSURF Melbourne, March 2023
(Note – all dates and locations are subject to the relevant local, state and federal Covid-19 restrictions and regulations).
An inclusion for the 2022 season is the adoption of the National age division for the GromSearch series, with Mark Flanagan adding “After consultation with surfers, parents, Surfing Australia and surfing state bodies we decided to align with the national age divisions for the benefit of all participants. It wasn’t an easy decision, but we thought we’d make the change to help unify development pathways for surfers in this region”.
Age divisions in the GromSearch Series are:
Under 16 Girls and Boys
Under 14 Girls and Boys
Under 12 Girls and Boys
Overview
The Rip Curl GromSearch series began as a single day event in 1999 and has developed into a world-wide series providing groms with the opportunity to surf with friends and test their skills against the best junior talent in their country. The impressive list of previous GromSearch competitors currently competing on the elite WSL world tour is testament to the quality of the series.
Former GromSearch finalists competing on the 2022 WSL World Tour include:
Tyler Wright*, Steph Gilmore*, Carissa Moore*, Molly Picklum, Sally Fitzgibbons, Malia Manuel, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Bronte McCaulay, Caroline Marks, Macy Callaghan, Brisa Hennessy & Isabella Nichols. (Note: GromSearch competitors have won the last 14 WSL women’s World Titles).
Former GromSearch finalists competing on the 2022 WSL World Tour include: Gabriel Medina*, Morgan Cibilic*, Filipe Toledo*, Italo Ferreira*, Jordy Smith, Kolohe Andino, Kanoa Igarashi, Ryan Callinan, Leonardo Fioravanti, Connor O’Leary, Seth Moniz, Griffin Colapinto, Owen Wright & Sammy pupo. (*Note: 4 of the 5 surfers in the 2021 WSL Finals series were former GromSearch finalists).
Surfing Queensland would also like to thank the Sunshine Coast Council, The Point Coolum, QMS Media, We Are Feel Good Inc and Queensland Government for their ongoing support.
Media Contact
Lucy Callister | Media and Communications Manager | 0468 430 759 | comms@surfingqueensland.com.au
