<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The prestigious series has long been renowned for producing performances used as a springboard to international stardom on the <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Associations/World-Surf-League" target="_blank">World Surf League (WSL)</a></strong></em> men’s and women’s tours.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The list of previous GromSearch winners illustrates the significant history of the series, with World Surf League (WSL) competitors <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/gabriel-medina" target="_blank">Gabriel Medina</a></strong></em> (Brazil), <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/tyler-wright" target="_blank">Tyler</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/owen-wright" target="_blank">Owen Wright</a></strong></em> (Australia), <strong><em><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/filipe-toledo" target="_blank">Filipe Toledo</a></em></strong> (Brazil), <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/jordy-smith" target="_blank">Jordy Smith</a></strong></em> (South Africa), <strong><em><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/kolohe-andino" target="_blank">Kolohe Andino</a></em></strong> (USA) and <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/sally-fitzgibbons" target="_blank">Sally Fitzgibbons</a></strong></em> (Australia) among the list of former competitors and GromSearch International Final Champions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Working in conjunction with <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Associations/Surfing-Australia" target="_blank">Surfing Australia</a></strong></em>, the Rip Curl GromSearch includes divisions in 16-and-under, 14-and-under and 12-and-under, for both boys and girls.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Australian National series will feature four stops in the key surfing regions of <strong>Jan Juc (VIC)</strong>, <strong>Newcastle (NSW)</strong>, <strong>Yorke Peninsula (SA)</strong> and the <strong>Sunshine Coast (QLD)</strong>. Participants can look forward to activities, giveaways and the chance to meet surfers from all over the country at each event, as well as hone their skills in the water. Athletes will gain valuable experience with the same system of priority and judging used across all elite surfing events.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Two-time WSL Women’s World Champion <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/tyler-wright" target="_blank">Tyler Wright</a></strong></em> recalls her time competing as a junior surfer in the GromSearch series.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>“It was such a cool opportunity to get to compete in different areas around Australia at such a young age. It’s a great way for me to gain experience for competition on the QS and CT level, and it was always good to meet new friends in a fun environment.”</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Australian series allows surfers from around the country to compete against their contemporaries in a fun and engaging environment. Each result in the four-event series is awarded points that count towards a surfer’s GromSearch National rating, giving participants across the country the opportunity to compare their performances against their peers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After the last event in Queensland, the top-ranked surfers qualify for the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final (in their respective divisions), where they then compete for the chance to become the Australian GromSearch Champion.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The National Champion then represents Australia at the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final, held at a new location around the globe each year, against the best junior surfers in each participating country.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Entry details, event format and further information on entry procedures will be available in the coming weeks. Entries open from August 1st.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Dates and locations for the 2019/20 GromSearch Series are:</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Events/rip-curl-australian-gromsearch-1-jan-juc-vic-2019" target="_blank">RCGS - EVENT 1 - Jan Juc, VIC - Sept 21-23, 2019</a></strong></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Events/rip-curl-australian-gromsearch-2-newcastle-nsw-2019" target="_blank">RCGS - EVENT 2 - Newcastle, NSW - Oct 5-8, 2019</a></strong></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Events/rip-curl-australian-gromsearch-3-yorke-peninsula-sa-2019" target="_blank">RCGS - EVENT 3 - Yorke Peninsula, SA - Nov 2-3, 2019</a></strong></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Events/rip-curl-australian-gromsearch-4-sunshine-coast-qld-2019" target="_blank">RCGS - EVENT 4 - Sunshine Coast, QLD - Dec 16-19, 2019</a></strong></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Events/rip-curl-australian-gromsearch-national-final-woonona-nsw-2020" target="_blank">National Final – Woonona, NSW – Jan 14-16, 2019</a></strong></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 2019/20 Rip Curl GromSearch series, with managing partner Surfing Australia.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">KIA is the official vehicle partner of the Rip Curl GromSearch Series.</div>