Rip Curl GromSearch National Final gets down to the boiling point ahead of finals day.
WOONONA BEACH, WOLLONGONG (Wednesday, 15 January 2020): The Rip Curl GromSearch National Final heated up in punchy two-to-three foot peaks at Woonona Beach as competitors fought to earn a position into the final day of competition.

Marlon Harrison (Coolangatta, Qld) rampaged his way through his 16-Boys quarter and semi-final, drawing out beautiful snaps and carves on his way to locking himself into a final finish. The Gold Coast natural footer finished his semi-final with a 16.17 two-wave heat total, while Mike Clayton-Brown (Port Stephens, NSW) took out the opposing semi-final with a 12.93 two-wave heat total. Both surfers will meet in the final tomorrow.

Ellie Harrison (Barwon Heads, Vic) and Milli Allport (Long Jetty, NSW) both put on commanding performances over the duration of their respective 16 Girls semi-finals to lock themselves spots into the final. Both surfers found a handful of playful corners over the course of their heats to post semi-final heat totals in excess of 10.40 points.

Braxon Holmstrom (Buddina, Qld) caused one of the biggest upsets of the National Final, toppling perennial event standout Winter Vincent (Manly) in the 14-Boys semi-final. The Sunshine Coast natural-footer put on a stellar display of lightning-fast backhand surfing in the heat to finish with a solid 14.97 two-wave heat total. Holmstrom will face Dom Thomas (Swansea Heads, NSW) in tomorrow’s final.

Quincy Symonds (Tweed Heads, NSW) and Ruby Trew (Seaforth, NSW) showed they would be the girls to beat as they put on commanding performances over the course of their 12 Girls quarterfinals. Both surfers claimed their respective spots with heat totals in excess of 13.00 and as a result earned their position into the semi-finals which will be contested tomorrow.

The Rip Curl GromSearch National Final will see all finalists crowned tomorrow.

The main base for the National Final of the Rip Curl GromSearch is Woonoona and Sandon Point with backup locations of Bellambi, Port Kembla and Thirroul.

All competitors are advised to ring the event hotline (0458 247 212) by 6.45 am on the days of competition to confirm location and running order.

The list of previous GromSearch winners illustrates the significant history of the series, with World Surf League (WSL) competitors Gabriel Medina (Brazil), Tyler Wright (Australia), Owen Wright (Australia), Matt Wilkinson (Australia), Jordy Smith (South Africa), Kolohe Andino (USA) and Sally Fitzgibbons (Australia) among the list of former competitors and GromSearch International Final Champions.

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 ranking, giving participants across the country the opportunity to compare their performances against their peers.

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.

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 from each participating country.

Dates and locations for the 2019 Rip Curl GromSearch Series are:
RCGS - EVENT 1 - Jan Juc, VIC - Sept 21-23, 2019
RCGS - EVENT 2 - Newcastle, NSW - Oct 5-8, 2019
RCGS - EVENT 3 - Yorke Peninsula, SA - Nov 2-3, 2019
RCGS - EVENT 4 - Sunshine Coast, QLD - Dec 16-19, 2019
National Final – Woonona, NSW – Jan 14-16, 2020