<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">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.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>“Each year we choose a new location for the International Final,”</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>“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.”</em> - Mark Flanagan, GromSearch Contest Director</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Only a few days out from the start of competition, the forecast for swell is looking solid and <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Spots/hermosa" target="_blank">Playa Hermosa</a></strong></em> 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.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Former GromSearch International Final Champion and QS surfer <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/leilani-mcgonagle" target="_blank">Leilani McGonagle</a></strong></em> 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.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div><em>“I’m really excited to welcome 20 of the world’s best junior surfers to my home,” </em>says Leilani.<em> “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.</em></div><div><br /></div><div><em>“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!”</em></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">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 <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/caroline-marks" target="_blank">Caroline Marks</a></strong></em> (USA), <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/brisa-hennessy" target="_blank">Brisa Hennessy</a></strong></em> (CR), <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/tatiana-weston-webb" target="_blank">Tatiana Weston-Webb</a></strong></em> (HI),<em><strong> <a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/leonardo-fioravanti" target="_blank">Leonardo Fioravanti</a></strong></em> (IT), 2x World Champion <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/gabriel-medina" target="_blank">Gabriel Medina</a></strong></em> (BRA), <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/owen-wright" target="_blank">Owen Wright</a></strong></em> (AUS), <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/nikki-van-dijk" target="_blank">Nikki van Dijk</a></strong></em> (AUS) and <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/tyler-wright" target="_blank">Tyler Wright</a></strong></em> (AUS). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>2019 Rip Curl GromSearch International Final Competitors:</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Finn Cox (AUS)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Molly Picklum (AUS)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Sophia Medina (BRA)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Willoughby Snowdon Masterman (UK)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Alys Barton (UK)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Kyllian Guerin (FRA)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Juliette Lacome (FRA)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Afonso Antunes (PT)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Concha Balsemao (PT)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Adur Amatriain Arregui (SPN)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Melania Suarez Diaz (SPN)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Ryuki Waida (INDO)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Jack Lee (NZ)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Brie Bennett (NZ)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Taro Watanabe (USA)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Caitlin Simmers (USA)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Alyssa Spencer (USA)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Mathea Olin (Canada)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Manny Valentin (PR)</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>2x Costa Rican wildcards</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Events/rip-curl-gromsearch-international-final-playa-hermosa-costa-rica-2019" target="_blank">2019 Rip Curl GromSearch International Final</a></strong></em> will be held from <strong>May 16 – 19</strong> in <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Spots/hermosa" target="_blank">Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica</a></strong></em>. Stay tuned for daily updates on <em><strong><a href="https://www.ripcurl.com" target="_blank">ripcurl.com</a></strong></em></div>