The event saw Europe’s best and most exciting surfing talents come together for a celebration of surfing on the remote Galician coastline. Yael Pena (SP) and Ellie Turner (UK) were crowned Champions in this final event of the 2016 Rip Curl GromSearch series which covered 13 events all over Europe.
Surfers will now take their place at the World International Rip Curl GromSearch Finals which will be “Somewhere” next spring.
In the tradition of The Search, the contest officials took the mobile event to a set of peaks at a river mouth for the Final heats.
With super clean 3 to 4 feet waves, the girl’s finals were up first. Nadia Erostabe (SP) and Ellie Turner (UK) both won all of their heats from the start of the contest and were hungry for the winner takes all prize. It was a close battle but Ellie’s strong turns and wave selection made the difference. “It’s been an amazing year and now to win this is very special, I m stoked.” Says Ellie. “I’m super excited to be going to the World Finals and challenge myself against the best girls surfers under 16 years old in the World.”
In the boys Yael Pena (SP) and Sean Gunning (SP) went head to head. On the road to the finals Sean locked in a number of crazy air reverses but Yael Pena’s power and multiple maneuvers waves gave him the big win. “Coming from the Canaries and surfing with the guys here in Galicia has been super fun.” Explains Yael. “Everyone was ripping and it was a hard event to win which makes it feels even better.”
About the GromSearch: Since Rip Curl developed the concept for the GromSearch events in 1999, the series has spread throughout the surfing world and culminates with an International final held at a different location each year and revealed shortly before the event. Former GromSearch Champions include current WSL World Tour stars: Gabriel Medina, Owen Wright, Nikki Van Dijk, Tyler Wright and Alana Blanchard, Stephanie Gilmore, Matt Wilkinson, Jordy Smith…The 2016 Rip Curl GromSearch European Tour were supported by Eq, smith, FCS, Gorilla and Citroën.
Finals results of the 2016 Rip Curl GromSearch International Final, Playa de Razo:
Girls: 1st: Ellie Turner (UK), 2nd: Nadia Erostabe (SP), 3rd: Camilla Costa (PT) and Uhaina Joly (FR)
Boys: 1st: Yael Pena (SP), 2nd: Sean gunning (SP), 3rd: Diego Suarez (SP) and Tiago Carrique (FR)
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