Durban – The Rip Curl GromSearch is approaching, and the best groms are arriving in Durban from all over the country. With the current sardine run situation and some decent swell lines in the forecast, a few changes are underway. Here is the latest update.
WHAT:
The Rip Curl GromSearch Durban is the third contest in a four-event series held at various locations along our coastline. The first event of the year took place in Cape Town, and the second event was held in Port Alfred. It was part of the Port Alfred Easter Festival. The final event will take place at Seal Point, Cape St. Francis, in September.
WHERE:
The Rip Curl GromSearch Durban was scheduled to take place at Scottburgh on the South Coast and was supported by the Cutty Sark Hotel. However, the recent and ongoing sardine run prompted the contest organisers and sponsors to decide to relocate the contest to Durban. This was for safety reasons. The event is now scheduled to take place at Dairy Beach. The forecast looks promising, with potentially good waves spilling over from Thursday into the opening period of the event window on Friday.
Action at the piers in Durban © Dave Lindemann
WHEN:
The Rip Curl GromSearch will kick off early this Friday morning. The contest is scheduled for Friday, 13th, to Sunday, 15th, but the event could end early. Competitors and families are advised to keep an eye on the Surfing South Africa Live Heats app for schedules. Also for any possible changes to the schedule. The sandbanks at Dairy have been fun lately, with fun and highly contestable waves forecast for this event.
WHY:
The Rip Curl GromSearch series worldwide recognises the U16 division as the premier division in these series. The South African U16 Series Winners get invited to surf in the Rip Curl GromSearch Global Finals. Here they will compete against the best groms in the world. Additionally, they are housed, coached and tutored by some of the best Rip Curl professional competitors. Surfers like Stephanie Gilmore and Molly Picklum, as evidenced by the final event in Bali last year.
WHO:
The top junior surfers in the country will be at this event in Durban for a chance to win points and prize money. While the Rip Curl GromSerch Durban is part of the 2025 local GromSearch Series, it is not just about the U16 division, though. It comprises U12, U14, U16, and U18 Girls and Boys divisions,. All divisions will be competing for contest results, prizes, and rankings on the SAST. The Rip Curl GromSearch contests are all premier SAST events. There is 1,000 points awarded to the winners and prize money in line with all premier events.
The top seed for the Premier U16 Boys Division, Kai Stubbs from Scarborough, has had to withdraw from the event at the last minute due to an injury. Ben Esterhuyse and Adam Faclier, second and third on the unadjusted ratings, will be competing in the event and could capitalise on this situation.
In the U16 Girls Division, all eyes are on Leah Lepront and Emily Jenkinson, the top two surfers on unadjusted rankings.
The Rip Curl GromSearch Durban contest is a Surfing South Africa tournament supported by Sea Harvest.
Competitors, families and friends can follow live heat tracking on LiveHeats.
Complimentary high-res images are available for media outlets.
For Rip Curl GromSearch media enquiries and photo requests:
Craig Jarvis:
e. craig@truthcollective.co.za
t. 082 376 4443
For Surfing South Africa enquiries or event details:
SSA General Manager Reza De Nicker:
e. reza@surfingsouthafrica.co.za
t. 079 373 1964
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