Phillip Island, VIC (Saturday 4th October, 2025): Conditions at Smiths Beach did a complete 180 for Finals Day of the 2025 Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island presented by Bass Coast Shire, with warm weather and light winds, setting the stage for an epic finish.
The U18 divisions took centre stage, with Mitchell Peterson (Noosa, QLD) and Ava Holland (Mornington Peninsula, VIC) claiming victory after a day of standout performances. Both surfers displayed confidence and composure under pressure, sealing their wins with smart wave selection and powerful, flowing surfing. Mitchell surfed a 7.57 and a 7.77 to win his final, on surfing against Darcy Dwyer “It was pretty special surfing my last event with a mate,” He was very happy with his week here in Phillip Island, “I’m stoked to get the win…I love coming down here to Phillip Island.”
In the U18 Girls Final, Ava Holland put on a standout performance, scoring a 7.50 and an 8.40 to secure the win. “It was very fun,” she said. “I surf against Pickles (Sophie Wilkinson) so often, from boardriders to state rounds, so it was great to share another final together. I’m very happy.”
Adding to the excitement, Locana Cullen (Avalon Beach, NSW) and Eliza Richardson (Gold Coast, QLD) took out the U16 Boys and Girls divisions, each showing exceptional consistency in their finals and throughout the week.
In the youngest division, Navah Holmes (Gold Coast, QLD) and Ffeon Clifford (Mount Maunanui NZ) impressed, taking top honours in the U14 divisions.
As the 2025 Rip Curl GromSearch presented by Bass Coast Shire concluded at Smiths Beach, the Groms showed the high calibre of talent in Australia’s next gen of surfers.
A replay of Finals Day can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yCenorsmTE
Results:
U18 Boys:
1st- Mitchell Peterson (Noosa, QLD), 15.34
2nd- Darcy Dwyer (Noosa, QLD), 14.83
U18 Girls:
1st- Ava Holland (Mornington Peninsula, VIC), 15.90
2nd- Sophie Wilkinson (Mornington Peninsula, VIC), 10.96
U16 Boys:
1st- Locana Cullen (Avalon Beach, NSW), 14.83
2nd- Rio Luther Barr (Bundagen, NSW), 10.90
U16 Girls:
1st- Eliza Richardson (Gold Coast, QLD), 17.00
2nd- Talia Tebb (Avoca Beach, NSW), 13.34
U14 Boys:
1st- Ffeon Clifford (Mount Maunanui NZ), 12.57
2nd- Lennox Lindsay (Northland, NZ), 9.73
U14 Girls:
1st- Navah Holmes (Gold Coast, QLD), 9.33
2nd- Rosie Annesley (Margaret River, WA), 4.26
The Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island is presented by Rip Curl, Bass Coast Shire and Phillip Island and supported by the Victorian Government, Skin Health Australia, Surfing Australia, Beyond Coconut Water, Parklane Holiday Parks, Phillip Island Boardrider Club and Surf Better Now.
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