<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A packed line up of over 160 of the Nation’s top groms will be battling it out at the South Side of HB Pier for coveted regional titles. The four finalists from each division; 16 & under boys, 16 & under girls, 14 & under boys, and 12 & under boys, will all be invited to compete in the National Final - at the ultimate surfing stadium, the <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Spots/bsr-cable-park-and-surf-ranch" target="_blank">BSR Surf Resort in Waco, Texas</a></strong></em>. The 16 & under boys and girls National Champions will win an all-expense paid trip to compete in the RCGS International Final – at an undisclosed location along #TheSearch in Spring, 2020.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This past May the <strong><em><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Events/rip-curl-gromsearch-international-final-playa-hermosa-costa-rica-2019" target="_blank">RCGS International Final</a></em></strong> was held on the black-sand beach breaks of <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Spots/hermosa" target="_blank">Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica</a></strong></em>. After 3 days of heavy surf, major upsets, and huge wins, <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/caitlin-simmers" target="_blank">Caitlin Simmers</a></strong></em> (USA) and <em><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/Riders/afonso-antunes" target="_blank">Afonso Antunes</a></strong></em> (PRT) added their names to the famed GromSearch Champions list.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For event registration, info, and updates, head to <em><strong><a href="https://www.ripcurl.com/events/gromsearch/" target="_blank">ripcurl.com/gromsearch</a></strong></em>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Follow @ripcurl_usa to follow along with all the action leading up to the season!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">GromSearch could not be possible without the tremendous support of its sponsors; Banzai Bowls, BSR Surf Resort, Perfect Swell, Flexfit, Sector 9, Lost Surfboards, Oakley, Surface, FCS, Surfline, and Wahoo’s Fish Tacos.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For event schedule and more info on next events, check out <em><strong><a href="https://www.ripcurl.com/events/gromsearch/" target="_blank">ripcurl.com/gromsearch</a>.</strong></em> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Previous Champions - Rip Curl GromSearch International final</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2019 Afonso Atunes (PRT) & Caitlin Simmers (USA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2018 Xavier Huxtable (AUS) & Keala Tomoda-Bannert (Hawaii)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2017 Kade Matson (USA) & Caroline Marks (USA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2016 Nolan Rapoza (USA) & Brisa Hennessey (Hawaii)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2015 Samuel Pupo (BRA) & Leilani McGonagle (Costa Rica)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2014 Pat Curren (USA) & Brisa Hennessey (Hawaii)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2013 Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) & Tatiana Weston-Webb (Hawaii)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2012 Dylan Lightfoot (ZAF) & Tatiana Weston-Webb (Hawaii)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2011 Mitch Parkinson (AUS) & Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2010 Gabriel Medina (BRA) & Bianca Buitendag (ZAF)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2009 Thomas Woods (AUS) & Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2008 Dale Staples (ZAF) & Malia Manuel (HAW)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2007 Tyler Newton (USA) & Tyler Wright (AUS)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2006 Owen Wright (AUS) & Alana Blanchard (HAW)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2005 Mason Ho (HAW) & Nikita Robb (ZAF)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>GromSearch International final - Locations</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first GromSearch International final was held at Bells Beach, Australia as part of the 2005 Rip Curl Pro, WSL tour event.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since 2014 the International final has been on ‘the Search’, looking for new and exciting locations to run the event.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2019: Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2018: Raglan, New Zealand.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2017: Maresias Beach, Sao Paulo, Brazil.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2016: Ala Moana Bowls, Waikiki, Hawaii, USA.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2015: Maresias Beach, Sao Paulo, Brazil.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2014: Lakey Peak, Sumbawa, Indonesia.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2005 – 2013: Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>About the GromSearch:</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since Rip Curl developed the concept for the GromSearch events in 1999, the series has spread throughout the surfing world and now culminates with an International final held at a different location each year. The worldwide series is held for male and female surfers aged 16 years and under, commonly referred to as “groms”, with the aim of the GromSearch is to nurture and recruit the next generation of surfers at a grassroots level.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Former GromSearch champions include current WSL World Tour stars; <strong>Gabriel Medina</strong>, <strong>Owen Wright</strong>, <strong>Jordy Smith</strong>, <strong>Matt Wilkinson</strong>, <strong>Kanoa Igarashi</strong>, <strong>Kolohe Andino</strong>, <strong>Tyler Wright</strong>, <strong>Stephanie Gilmore</strong>, <strong>Brisa Hennessy</strong>, <strong>Caroline Marks</strong>, and <strong>Sally Fitzgibbons</strong>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And while you wait for this year's series to begin, enjoy the below photos from last year's GromSearch USA stop #1 at Huntington Beach.</div>