FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
25 March 2026
Port Alfred, Eastern Cape – The Rip Curl GromSearch presented by the Royal St Andrews Hotel, supported by Sea Harvest, will take centre stage at East Beach as part of the 2026 Port Alfred Easter Festival surf programme.
The event brings together South Africa’s top junior surfers for a focused, high-performance competition across multiple age divisions, with national rankings and international qualification on the line.
Event Overview
What
Rip Curl GromSearch presented by the Royal St Andrews Hotel, supported by Sea Harvest
When
Thursday 2 April, 18h00: Opening function at the Royal St Andrews Hotel
Friday 3 April, 07h30: Competition begins
Saturday 4 April: Competition continues through to finals, including Expression Session.
Where
East Beach, Port Alfred, Eastern Cape, South Africa
National Junior Tour Stop
The GromSearch forms part of the Surfing South Africa Junior Tour, a six-event series that tracks the country’s leading junior surfers across the season. Port Alfred is a key stop on the tour, with strong performances there carrying significant weight in national rankings.
Divisions include U12, U14, U16 Premier and U18, with each age group contributing to the broader pathway of competitive surfing in South Africa.
Pathway to the International Final
A major incentive sits in the Premier U16 division. The winning boy and girl each secure qualification for the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final, along with travel support.
This progression places local surfers onto a global stage, connecting South African talent with the international competitive circuit.
Performance and Progression
East Beach provides a reliable, high-performance canvas for junior competition. The wave offers fast, clean walls that reward commitment, speed, and the ability to link turns under pressure.
The Expression Session adds an additional layer to the event. It creates space for surfers to push beyond heat strategy and focus on progressive manoeuvres, with an emphasis on creativity, height, and execution.
Festival Atmosphere
The GromSearch runs within the broader Port Alfred Easter Festival, placing junior surfing at the centre of a busy coastal weekend.
From early-morning heats to finals-day intensity, the event builds a consistent rhythm at East Beach, drawing competitors, families, and spectators into a shared experience around the sport.
All schedules remain subject to change based on conditions. A live feed will run throughout the event, with scoring and updates available across official platforms.
Complimentary high-res images will be available for media outlets.
Enquiries:
For Rip Curl GromSearch media enquiries and photo requests, please get in touch with:
Craig Jarvis:
t. 082 376 4443
For Surfing South Africa enquiries or event details, please get in touch with:
Danielle Powis
General Manager
t. 076 849 4864
e. danielle@surfingsouthafrica.co.za
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