The global search for the best male and female Under 16 surfers starts at 9am with a check in at Rest Bay.  As well as competing for the prestigious GromSearch title, there are sick prizes up for grabs, as well as a chance for the winners to secure a spot at the European GromSearch final, taking place during the Rip Curl Pro Peniche, in Portugal this October!  More than just a normal event, the Rip Curl GromSearch, presented by POSCA will be offering FREE coaching throughout the weekend, as well as dedicated videographer and photographers on site to catch all the action!  Remember, if you don’t take the crown this time, the second stop is to be held in Newquay, at Fistral Beach on 21st – 22nd July.

All entry information can be found on ripcurl.com, or the relevant dedicated Facebook sites.

The concept:
Born in 1999 in Torquay, Australia, the Rip Curl GromSearch* is a competition for young surfers under 16 years of age. Competitions are held simultaneously in different regions around the world (Brazil, Australia, Indonesia, South Africa, New Zealand, USA and Europe) and culminate in the international final, which traditionally forms part of the legendary Rip Curl Pro Bell’s Beach in Australia (next edition April 2013).

With more than 2,000 competitors around the world, the Rip Curl GromSearch is a real breeding ground for talented young surfers. Over the years, the competition has helped unearth future world champions such as Stephanie Gilmore (four-time ASP world champion), Australian prodigy Owen Wright and the explosive South African rider Jordy Smith.

The Rip Curl GromSearch 2012 is a fresh opportunity for young European surfers to showcase their talents and compete with each other in a fun, laid-back environment.

RIP CURL GROMSEARCH 2012 TO BE PRESENTED BY POSCA

Just like Rip Curl, the famous POSCA brand – popular with artists of all ages and from all walks of life – was born in 1969. But, unlike Rip Curl, POSCA’s roots are in Japan…
Art has always been an integral part of surf culture. In the 1970s, surfers would let their imaginations run wild by decorating their boards with spray paints, using bold, psychedelic colours. This spirit of creativity would later go on to influence fashion trends in the world of surfing and far beyond.

POSCA make all-purpose, water-based paint markers with unlimited uses, inspired by the following philosophy: “Colour is vehicle for emotion; subtle yet powerful, universal yet individual, and built over the centuries like an ever-evolving language. Inseparable from our sensory environment, the use of colour is thus a fundamental and major part of the artistic process…”

As the main partner of the Rip Curl GromSearch 2012, POSCA will be down on the beach helping young European surfers and spectators discover the ideal tool with which to express themselves – in multicolour and in complete freedom. With hands-on guidance from experts and artists, everyone who attends will have the chance to explore the endless possibilities of these fun, easy-to-use water-based paint markers.

A range of supervised activities will be on offer in the competition villages. These include special areas for customising surfboards and other objects (cardboard surfboards, baseball caps and all kinds of other items brought along by participants) and a ‘free expression’ wall. Easels will also be available for everyone to use, and games will be held on the beach and in the nearby Rip Curl Pro Stores with a host of prizes up for grabs, including several POSCA marker zip cases. The finished masterpieces will then be displayed in fun visitor areas by the sea.
In addition, each stage will be attended by a different, well-known artist, who will design a custom surfboard inspired by the theme of water and nature. They will also offer their advice for all the budding young artists present. Their boards will then go on display at the Rip Curl Pro site at Peniche in October.

ENTER “POSCA-SURF-CUSTO” AND WIN A TRIP TO PORTUGAL TO MEET THE RIP CURL GROMSEARCH FINALISTS AND THE BEST SURFERS IN THE WORLD!

Enter the competition at www.posca-surf-custo.com. Download and print out an A4 surfboard ‘template,’ and use it to make your very own custom design. Then send it to Posca and Co for the chance to win a real board to customise, as well as a weekend in Peniche, Portugal, to meet the European finalists of the 2012 Rip Curl GromSearch, held as part of the Rip Curl Pro Portugal. There, your board will be put on display and you will get to meet the best surfers in the world.

The designs will go before a panel of experts and a public vote, with 10 prizes on offer for the artists chosen by the public vote.
Register from 1 May to 20 June, then get to work and submit your design before 31 July.
You will find all the info you need at www.posca.surf-custo.com and ripcurl.com.eu/gromsearch

COMPETITION FORMAT AND SCHEDULE

Categories:
The Rip Curl GromSearch is open to boys and girls, and is organised into 6 categories:

Under 12s (born after 2000)
Under 14s (born between 1998 & 1999)
Under 16s (born between 1996 & 1997)

2012 SCHEDULE

UK:
Porthcawl: 9-10 June
Newquay: 21-22 July

Spain:
Santander: 2-3 June
San Sebastian : 1-2 July
Zierbena: 21-22 July

France:
Guidel: 16-17 June
Anglet: 7-8 July
Vieux-Boucau: 28-29 July
Cap-Ferret: 4-5 August
Portugal:
Ericeira 26/27 of August
Caparica 1-2 September
Euro Final 10-21 Oct

European final (Under 16 category only): kicking off the Rip Curl Pro in Peniche, Portugal 9-10 October 2012

The winners of the Under 16 category (boys and girls) will be selected for the European final on 9 and 10 October in Peniche, Portugal. The winners of the stage will have their transport and accommodation costs paid for.

The European final will give the young hopefuls the chance to scoop a place in the international final, to be held during the Rip Curl Pro Bell’s Beach (Torquay, Australia) in April 2013. The winners (and a companion) get a free trip to this iconic event.