Rip Curl Gromsearch Phillip Island presented by Bass Coast Shire – Day 1 Highlights

Junior surfers dominate epic waves on Day 1 of Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island presented by Bass Coast Shire

DATE: Tuesday, 29 September 2026

PHILLIP ISLAND, VICTORIA: Day 1 of the Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island presented by Bass Coast Shire kicked off today at Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island, in epic conditions. The nation’s top junior surfers converged on the island for the opening rounds, making the most of the 3 ft clean waves.

This event is the final 10,000-point event in the country, meaning Australia’s best junior surfers will be decided here. Additionally, results from this event will contribute toward qualification for the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final at URBNSURF.

The standout surfer of the day was Locana “Loci” Cullen (16) from the Northern Beaches of Sydney. He posted the highest single-wave score of the morning with a 10.00 and a 9.43, putting his competitors into a combination position. As the defending champion, Cullen has every intention of going back-to-back, and with surfing like that, he will be hard to beat.

“We’re back down here at Phillip Island—won it last year,” said Cullen. “Waves are cooking right now, perfect right-hand rip bowls as usual. Woolamai Beach is always a special place, and hopefully we can go back-to-back. It’s an awesome place, can’t wait.”

In the Under 16 Girls, Maddison Kenchington (16) put together a solid performance, posting scores of 5.00 and 6.07. This puts her in a comfortable position moving into the quarter-finals.

“It’s so fun, honestly better than I was expecting, and I’m really enjoying going left,” said Maddison Kenchington (Snapper Rocks, QLD). “It’s so cool meeting up with all my friends from different spots in Australia. I’m just going to take it heat by heat, but the plan is to have some fun.”

In the Under 14 Boys, Victorian Raff Morris (14) posted multiple 6+ rides to win his heat and advance to Round 2.

“I was sitting a bit further out trying to target those medium ones,” explained Raff Morris (Mornington Peninsula, VIC) on his heat win. “On that long one, I was kind of nursing it because I knew it was such a good wave right at the start of the heat. It set me up for a score, and then I got around it for a nice little finish to do the job. It’s great to be back on Phillip Island—I love this place.”

Organisers are looking at another 2–3 days of competition at Cape Woolamai, with Conditions  are expected to remain favourable for the coming days alongside consistent 2–3 ft waves.

DAY 1 HIGHLIGHT RESULTS

Under 14 Boys – Round 1

Maverick Macguagan – 16.67

Raff Morris – 12.50

Teddy Robertson – 11.93

Alby O’Day – 13.40

Clement Peillard – 10.33

Noah Kornek – 14.20

Bede Cant – 13.33

Under 16 Boys – Round 1

Loci Cullen – 19.43

Kai Coleman – 12.00

Liam Thompson – 11.83

Ffeon Clifford – 12.73

Tully Gordan – 10.76

Jaggar Phillips – 14.23

Under 16 Girls – Round 1

Talia Tebb – 14.20

Rose Holland – 11.23

Maddison Kenchington – 11.07

EVENT INFORMATION & LIVE SCORES

Live Heats Stream: https://liveheats.com/events/563918/watch

Live Heats Scores & Schedule: https://liveheats.com/events/563918

Event Updates & Social Media: Follow @surfingvictoria on Instagram

ABOUT THE RIP CURL GROMSEARCH

The Rip Curl Gromsearch series is a premier junior surfing pathway event, hosting division categories for Under 12, Under 14, and Under 16 boys and girls. Former competitors and winners include World Champions Steph Gilmore, Gabriel Medina, Tyler Wright, and Mick Fanning.

The event is supported by Rip Curl, Bass Coast Shire, Victorian Government Significant Sporting Events Program, Surfing Australia, Surfing Victoria, Bass Coast Shire, Fatboy Bikes, Ritual Vision, Victorian Government, Live Heats, Phillip Island, P.I.B.C, Beyond Coconut Water, Surfing Australia, Skin Health Australia and Park Lane Holiday Parks.