Rip Curl to provide massive boost for Australia’s top junior surfers as the Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island heads to the Bass Coast Shire

The Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island presented by Bass Coast Shire Council is set to bring the best under 18 surfers from across the country to the Bass Coast Shire this October school holidays.

As a 10,000 point Marquee event on the Surfing Australia National Rankings, the event is only one of five of this caliber in the country and will provide surfers with valuable rankings points in their quest for a spot in the Irukandjis team heading to the ISA World Junior Surfing Titles.

The inaugural event in 2023, the Phillip Island Junior Pro, was a huge success bringing together more than 170 of Australia’s top junior surfers. In 2024, the event will see the exciting addition of major event partner Rip Curl, taking the event to the next level and offering a premium experience for competitors.

“We are thrilled to partner and host the Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island in October this year” said Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Clare Le Serve. 

“We are blessed to have pristine landscapes here on the Bass Coast with some of the best surf breaks in Australia, and that’s recognised through Victoria’s only National Surfing Reserve at Cape Woolamai. We can’t wait to host the best junior surfers from across the country at our eco-friendly and welcoming region.”

Featuring Boys and Girls divisions for Under 18, Under 16 and Under 14, the event will run over the Victorian school holidays from October 1 – 5, 2024.

“Rip Curl is stoked to team up with Surfing Victoria to bring the best talent in the country to Phillip Island” said Mark Flanagan, Rip Curl Australia Sports Marketing manager. 

“The Rip Curl GromSearch series is all about supporting the next generation of surfing talent and it’s going to be epic to see what they can do in one of the best wave zones in the country.”

Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said it’s fantastic to see the Phillip Island Junior Pro receiving this strong additional support.

“The inaugural Phillip Island Junior Pro was an exciting and significant event for regional Victoria in 2023 and it will be even bigger this year with the backing of the Victorian Government, Bass Coast Shire Council and Rip Curl.”

“We can’t wait to welcome the Pro back to Bass Coast this October thanks to the Significant Sporting Events Program.”

“We are proud to host a marquee junior rated event in Victoria, and  an event that will shape our future surfing champions” said Surfing Victoria CEO Adam Robertson.

“Having the support of Rip Curl, the Bass Coast Shire and Victorian Government is an incredible show of commitment to help the future generation of our sport.”

“This event will be an integral part of our junior surfing pathway and give our young aspiring athletes a chance to earn valuable points in their home state.”

The event will be webcasted for the final two days of the event, with further details to come.

Entries open July 8 and will close July 22 to eligible junior surfers via www.surfingvic.com/events

Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island presented by Bass Coast Shire Council and supported by the Victorian Government Significant Sporting Events program, Park Lane Phillip Island, Cancer Council Sunscreen, SurfBetterNow.com and Surfing Victoria.