Grommets from all over the UK made the short trip into the English Channel for the latest Rip Curl Gromsearch event held at ‘The Splash’ in Jersey. Hosted by the Channel Islands Surfing Federation the event followed on from last months kick off in Newquay and crowned this years final series placings. Once the final end section had been hit it and the last horn blown it was Alys Barton and Stanley Norman who ended as the series champs in the U16s’ Division. As such the young surfers both receive the golden ticket invite to the International Final to be held ‘somewhere’ early in 2020. “Im super stoked to be get this prize. Ive been wanting this for a couple of years and can’t wait to surf against some of the world best at the International Final” (Stanley Norman)

A further 8 surfers also qualified for the European Final to be held in Peniche Portugal during the WSL Rip Curl Pro window next month. These not only get the chance to surf the Rip Curl Pro Peniche podium but also a last chance shot at making the International Final.

After flat conditions on the opening Saturday all action was moved into an action packed Sunday. As soon as the first heat hit the water the swell seemed to increase and the scrappy 2-3ft surf rolled in all day. Lukas Skinner was an early standout who’s clean air reverse in the U12’s Final not only gave him the win but also the Smith Move Of The Event award. To top off an excellent weekend for the 11 year old he also took top honours in the U16’s.

Tom Hook from neighbouring island Guernsey continued his excellent form from the Newquay event to take the U14’s division and that overall title too. In the girls division a wave packed U12’s was the highlight for many of the parents on the beach and it was a smiling Jessica Jones who just came out on a close one ahead of a promising bunch of young girl shredders.
Lauren Sandland’s critical end section hits just won the final of they U14;s over Belle Betteridge. The pair also met in the U16’s Final alongside local stylish regular footer Claudia Cosgrove. It was however the seemingly unbeatable Alys Barton who took yet another Rip Curl GromSearch Title and again looks forward to a trip to International shores as her reward.

“We’re all stoked on how this years events ran. Both Surfing England and Channel Islands Surfing Federation did an excellent job running theses events. They provide a crucial platform for the grommets to perform and also a stepping stone into Europe and the World. I was stoked to see so many new faces this year as well as the real high end performances at the top end. Good luck to all the European Qualifiers as well as the excellent Stan and Alys who are brilliant representative for this Rip Curl series.” Joel Gray, RIP CURL UK

The Rip Curl GromSearch series now turns its attention to Peniche Portugal for the European Final on the 14/15th October. For more information check out ripcurl.eu

JERSEY RESULTS
Smith Optics Move Of The Event
Lukas Skinner

U16 Boys
1- Lukas Skinner
2- Stanley Norman
3- Tom Hook
4- Austin Michael Brocklesby

U16 Girls
1- Alys Barton
2- Lauren Sandland
3- Claudia Cosgrove
4- Belle Betteridge

U14 Boys
1- Tom Hook
2- Nikita Petrov
3- Elliot Barton
4- Anders Ravenscroft

U14 Girls
1- Lauren Sandland
2- Belle Betteridge
3- Megan Webb
4- Amelia Gould

U12 Boys
1- Lukas Skinner
2- Nikita Petrov
3- Fabian Moffat
4- Laird Mackenzie Dawson
5- Oscar George Kibblewhite

U12 Girls
1- Jessica Jone
2- Maina Cummins
3- Nava Harris
4- Shea Cummins

U16 International Final Qualifiers
Stanley Norman
Alys Barton

U16 European Final Qualifiers
Belle Betteridge
Lauren Sandland
Claudia Cosgrove
Tegan Blackford
Kieron Smith
Austin Michael Brocklesby
Beau Betteridge
Max Bennet

The 2019 GromSearch International Final will be held at Playa Hermosa in Costa Rica, USA, from May 16 – 19, 2019.

The 2019 Rip Curl Pro GromSearch International Final is about to kick off for another year, bringing 20 of the best 16-and-under junior surfers from around the globe together to compete in the punchy beach break of Playa Hermosa in Costa Rica, USA.

The International Final is a culmination the Rip Curl GromSearch Series, held regionally around the globe every year. Each regional Series is completed with a Regional Final – the winners of each Regional Final then have the opportunity to compete in the International Final.

“Each year we choose a new locational for the International Final,” says Mark Flanagan, GromSearch Contest Director. “The goal is to provide a platform for grommets to test their skills in different waves around the world, and gain experience in a higher level of competition.”

Only a few days out from the start of competition, the forecast for swell is looking solid and Playa Hermosa will be offering up steep sections and challenging barrels that will offer a great platform for each athlete to showcase their versatility and talent in bigger, more powerful surf.

Former GromSearch International Final Champion and QS surfer Leilani McGonagle was born and raised in Costa Rica, and will act as the Event Host. Throughout the waiting period she will make calls on conditions, and will aim to get the competitors into the best surf on offer over the four days.

“I’m really excited to welcome 20 of the world’s best junior surfers to my home,” says Leilani. “It’s a beautiful place with some of the best waves in the world, and I think it’s the perfect place for them to get some experience in a serious competition with solid swell.”

“I’m also really excited to show them what life is like here in Costa Rica outside of the water. We have such a rich culture and there is so much natural beauty around, it’ll be really fun showing the competitors what Costa Rica is all about!”

The winner of the 2019 Rip Curl GromSearch International Final will be decided this coming week in Costa Rica, and will be succeeding a long list of former Champions who went on to do great things. Former International Final Champions include the likes of WSL Championship Tour competitors Caroline Marks (USA), Brisa Hennessey (CR), Tatiana Weston-Webb (HI), Leonardo Fioravanti (IT), 2x World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA), Owen Wright (AUS), Nikki van Dijk (AUS) and 2x World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS).