Rip Curl GromSearch 2024

Rip Curl GromSearch 2024

The European final of the Rip Curl GromSearch 2024 took place last Saturday, September 14th. In this iconic event, the best young surfers under 16 from all over Europe competed on the waves of Anglet.

After excelling in national competitions held in Spain, Portugal, the UK, and France, the winners from each country gathered under the bright sun to battle for the title. Throughout the day, the 38 young athletes delivered outstanding performances, proving once again they represent the future of European surfing.

Competitors in the U16 category also vied for a spot in the prestigious World Final, set to take place in Bali, Indonesia, from November 12th to 17th, 2024.

Full results below:

Under 16 Men
1 Dylan Donegan Santos (ESP) – 12,40
2 Joshua Karbus (IRL) – 10,43
3 Lukas Skinner (GBR) – 8,60
4 Jaime Veselko (POR) – 4,10

Under 16 Women
1 Tya Zebrowski (FRA) – 10,50
2 Carla Morera de la Vall (ESP) – 6,67
3 Chiara Cuppone (ITA) – 6,00
4 Clémence Schorsch (FRA) – 5,40

Under 14 Men
1 Marley Benesene-Masse (FRA) – 13,64
2 Alvaro Casanova (ESP) – 11,96
3 Ethan Fernandez (FRA) – 10,20
4 Matthew Maurin-Lignières (FRA) – 7,97

Under 14 Women
1 Naia Monte (FRA) – 10,67
2 Mel Canhoto (POR) – 8,50
3 Suri Rodriguez (POR) – 6,86
4 Lila Skinner (GBR) – 5,77

Under 12 Men
1 Liam Sham-Koua (PYF) – 10,33
2 Rocco Rigliaco (ITA) – 9,40
3 Stefano Mandozzi (ESP) – 5,90
4 Harvey Waters (GBR) – 5,46

Under 12 Women
1 Nahia Calder (ESP) – 11,17
2 Sienna Rodrigues (POR) – 4,50
3 Caterina Congiu (ITA) – 3,90
4 Camille Trainaud (FRA) – 2,93

Oakley Grand Prize
Congratulations to Lukas Skinner, winner of the Oakley grand prize. This victory grants him the unique opportunity to travel to Peniche to attend the Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal 2025. The prize includes a training session with Tom Whitaker, former professional surfer and current head coach at Oakley, as well as a meet-and-greet with a member of the Oakley team.

Rip Curl would like to thank all the competitors, the audience, the WSL, and its partners, Oakley and FCS, for their support during this memorable edition of the GromSearch.

Witness Surfing History: Free Entry To The UAE’s First Pro Surfing Event At Surf Abu Dhabi

Witness Surfing History: Free Entry To The UAE’s First Pro Surfing Event At Surf Abu Dhabi

Surf Abu Dhabi is set to host the world’s top longboard surfers from 27th – 29th September for the first edition of the Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic and you can visit and watch for free!

Witness world-class surfing and entertainment at the world’s largest man-made surf facility on the stunning Hudayriyat Island.

In the area? Stopping over? Want to watch an amazing event?

Head to SurfAbuDhabi.com to claim your tickets and be part of this historic event in Abu Dhabi!

You can be a part of history later this month when the world’s top longboarders compete in the first-ever professional surfing event to be held in the UAE. The Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic, the third stop on the World Surf League’s 2024 Longboard Season, takes place at the brand-new Surf Abu Dhabi, with free entry for all spectators!

Surf Abu Dhabi is the world’s largest man-made surf facility, located on Hudayriyat Island, and will open to the public in October. The Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic takes place from 27th to 29th September, with 48 male and female elite surfers battling for crucial points in the race for the world title.

Surf Abu Dhabi joins iconic surf destinations such as Bells Beach in Australia and Huntington Beach in California as the third World Surf League Longboard Tour stop. The Longboard Tour culminates in the Longboard Championship final in El Salvador, where the World Champions will be crowned in October.

Set to open in October 2024, Surf Abu Dhabi, located on Hudayriyat Island, is developed by Modon in collaboration with the Kelly Slater Wave Company. The facility is set to offer an unparalleled surfing experience for all levels when the venue opens to the public next month. Surf Abu Dhabi features the world’s longest ride and largest barrel wave and is tailored for all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned surfers, promising an exclusive and inspiring surfing experience to all.

Fans can enjoy over 8 hours of world-class surfing action each day at the Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic. Beyond the waves, the dedicated fan area offers activations, food trucks, and a rooftop bar where you can watch world-class surfing against the iconic Abu Dhabi city skyline. T-shirts, caps, and other memorabilia are available at the exclusive merchandise store to wear, gift, or get signed by the world’s best longboarders for a unique keepsake from Abu Dhabi’s historic first pro surfing event.

Bill O’Regan, Group CEO of Modon Holding, said, “We are proud to host and sponsor the UAE’s first-ever professional surfing event — the Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic presented by Modon.” He continued, “There is no better way to showcase all that Surf Abu Dhabi has to offer than to welcome the world’s top surfers and introduce the first ever Global surf event to surf enthusiasts in the region.”

Ryan Watkins, General Manager of Surf Abu Dhabi, shared his excitement about the upcoming Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic. He said, “Whether you’re passionate about surfing, love world-class sports, or just want a fun day out, this event is truly unique – it’s the first pro surfing event to be staged in the UAE. The Longboard Classic will showcase the pure elegance and style of surfing, offering something for everyone to enjoy watching. We’re very excited to host such a historic event at our Surf Abu Dhabi as we gear up for our opening in October.”

Enjoy front-row seats to watch the world’s best surfers in action at Surf Abu Dhabi on the iconic Hudayriyat Island. Entry is free, but tickets are limited. Visit SurfAbuDhabi.com for more information and to register for your free ticket, or watch it live at www.worldsurfleague.com and witness this history-making surf event.

Team England Para Athletes Selected

Team England Para Athletes Selected

In less than 2 months, Team England Para will land in California for the 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championships. This contest sees the best para surfers in the world surf in fierce competition for podium places.

The contest will take place at Surf City USA, the iconic Huntington Beach. The event runs 3rd – 9th November.

The Team is currently fundraising and looking for more support. A prize draw is now live with fantastic items up for grabs from dryrobe, The Wave, Tregenna Castle, Decathlon UK and many more. Check out the fundraiser HERE

We are also on the search for companies to come onboard and support the Team. If interested, please do get in touch!

Now to introduce 2024 Team England Para Surfers:

Women:

· Charlotte Banfield – PS Stand 3
· Hannah Dines – PS Prone 2
· Laurie Foti – PS Prone 1
· Suzanne Edwards – PS Prone 1
· Zoe Smith – PS Stand 2

Men:

· David Lewis – PS Visually Impaired 2
· Harlum Lewis – PS Prone 1
· James Price – PS Prone 2
· Mark Hagger – PS Prone 2
· Pegleg Bennett – PS Stand 2
· Spike Kane – PS Surf Sit

On the ground in Cali, we will also have a full team of coaches and support to assist the team. The team will be led by Phil Williams (Team Manager) and Andy Banks (Head Coach), with other coaches Jack Patching, Cyril Cox, Deano Griffiths, Matt Jones, and Hannah Brand in assistant manager role. A huge thank you to this crew!

A big thank you to Tregenna Castle, Boardmasters, and Moulded Earplugs who have already made pledges to support the Team. We look forward to other brands joining the movement and being a part of our success story. If you would like to support please do not hesitate to reach out contacting Phil on the address below.

For more information, please reach out to our Team Manager, Phil on [email protected]

Shinko, Japan with Dylan Graves

Shinko, Japan with Dylan Graves

Welcome to Shinko, a unique and unexpected surf scene in Japan. A wave with unusual contrast- on one side, the raw, powerful energy of the ocean, and on the other, the industrial hum of machinery, both coexisting in this unexpected surf haven.

I’m always excited to explore different surf spots and immerse myself in the unique surf cultures during my travels. Surfing Japan is not all about navigating through rocks like a kamikaze pilot (like my last video at God’s Crack), here is a look at a more traditional Japanese surf scene… a sci-fi looking one at that!

Hope you enjoy this journey of a very special scene in Japan. Thank you to Keito Matusuoka for showing us around and plugging us into your world! Without your help and guidance this video would not be possible.

I would also like to thank Shohei Echigo for letting us stay at Hotel Shohei. And Shohei’s dad for being the first to surf Shinko, congratulations on discovering an entire surf scene. Massive thanks to rest of the surf community for having us 🙂

Thanks to Coby Perkovich, Shouta Sawada and Misaki Haberl. For assistance on translations.

Filmed by: Wade Carroll

Additional footage: Shohei Echigo, Dylan Graves, Keito Matsuoka

Music by: Dylan Graves

Tya Zebrowski / Lukas Skinner Take The Win

Tya Zebrowski / Lukas Skinner Take The Win

Tya Zebrowski (FRA) and Lukas Skinner (GBR) from Team Rip Curl won the World Surf League (WSL) Specialty Event, the Caraïbos Surf de Nuit Anglet presented by Rip Curl on Friday evening in fun, wedgy two-foot peaks. Thousands of spectators were treated to exciting surfing and a spectacular fireworks display, celebrating the 30th year of this iconic event.

Featuring some of Europe’s best surfers, six teams competed in support of a charity of their choice. The 2024 winners, Zebrowski and Skinner from Team Rip Curl donated their prize money to Handi Surf, an adaptive surfing organization launched in 2012.

Young phenom Tya Zebrowski (FRA) scored the best wave in the women’s heat with a 7.00 (out of a possible 10), while Lukas Skinner (GBR) came out on top in the men’s heat with an excellent 9.40 for a huge air. This secured Team Rip Curl’s spot in the Final and they were joined by Team Caraïbos and Team Billabong.

The Final was a bit slower, as surfers struggled to find their position in the lineup. Zebrowski pushed Team Rip Curl into the lead with two strong turns to earn a 6.00. As time ran out, Skinner landed a technical and clean frontside air to give Team Rip Curl a solid lead.

Team Billabong’s Sam Piter (FRA) scored the best wave in the Final with a 6.67 for a big frontside air in the last 30 seconds, and teammate Aelan Vaast (FRA) also threw down a big turn, but judges deemed it incomplete and they had to settle for second place. French veterans Joan Duru (FRA) and Maud le Car (FRA) representing Team Caraïbos finished in third.

“It’s my first time at this event, and my first time ever surfing at night,” Skinner reacted. “It was a really cool experience with all the lights and it was so fun to surf with all these incredible people and teaming up with Tya, thanks to everyone who made this happen.”

The Caraïbos Surf de Nuit Anglet presented by Rip Curl has a competition window from Friday, September 13, 2024 to Saturday, September 14, 2024 weather permitting.

Catch all the highlights and more from the Caraïbos Surf de Nuit Anglet presented by Rip Curl on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL YouTube or free WSL app, as well as the WSL QS Facebook page.

The Caraïbos Surf de Nuit Anglet presented by Rip Curl is supported by Caraïbos, Ville d’Anglet, Rip Curl, Action Glow, Turtledove, Volt, BAB2, Suez, Europe 2, Atlantal, Nexity and Torq.

Gary McCall wins dryrobe® x Carve 2024 photo competition

Gary McCall wins dryrobe® x Carve 2024 photo competition

We are stoked to announce Gary McCall’s photo of Lucas Chumbo at Mullaghmore was voted our dryrobe x Carve Photo of the Year!

We just loved how Gary framed the wave, the clouds, how far the lip was throwing, the ribs drawing up the face and in the lip, and how on edge Lucas was – full tilt, leaning forward, hand in the wave for stability. It is a hell of a ride, and a hell of a photo, and one that justly deserves the title.

How does it feel to win the dryrobe® x Carve Surf Photo of the Year competition?
Delighted and surprised, thank you soo much!

Can you tell us the story behind the moment you captured in this photo? What do you remember of the day?One of the first really solid swells from last winter and luckily bathed in soft morning light. There was occasional decent size tow sets marching through by 9am and this was one that Lucas Chumbo swung through on. This wave hit the inside ledge hard and opened up into a this monster cavern.

A full interview with Gary is in this months Carve out next week. Get your copy here.

Gary wins this epic prize bundle.

An ultimate ‘All Seasons dryrobe® Bundle for Photographers’. Plus: Thanks to Red Bull, the winning photographer will get the chance to travel and capture a Red Bull UK surf athlete in action!

The bundle will include;

dryrobe® Advance Long Sleeve £165, dryrobe® Mid-Layer Jacket £110, dryrobe® Waterproof Poncho £120, dryrobe® Water-repellent Car Seat Covers £50, dryrobe® Thermal Boots £80, dryrobe® Thermal Gloves £40, dryrobe® Compression Backpack £95.

Read Gideon’s story here. The inspiring story of local surfer done good, dryrobe® founder.

An AQUATECH EDGE Base Kit worth £1399.95
The EDGE Base Water Housing is a culmination of the design principles AQUATECH have been perfecting for over 20 years. The EDGE is our most compact, advanced, and ergonomic water housing design to date. From the world’s greatest surf and ocean photographers, to enthusiast fashion photographers and everyone in between.
• Available to fit: Canon R5/R6, Sony (all alpha series models), Nikon Z7 / Z6 / Z7II / Z6II / Z5, Fuji X-T5
• Controls: Dual Shutter Buttons, Zoom Dial (requires compatible Zoom Gear).
• Weight: 1.4kg (3lb)
• Depth Rating: 10m/33ft
• Construction: Polycarbonate body, stainless steel controls as well as hard anodised aluminium controls
• Compatible Accessories: M3 Pistol Grip, LUX Flash Housing, SYNC Transmitter Housing, Pro Mount V4, Water Housing Body Cap, Side Handle Mount

Thanks to Red Bull, the winning photographer will get the chance to travel and capture a Red Bull UK surf athlete in action this autumn!

Huge thanks to all the contributors and sponsors for this years photo competition, the response has been epic. You’re a talented bunch, keep shooting.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE MAG