Rip Curl Gromsearch Phillip Island presented by Bass Coast Shire to bring top talent to Phillip Island

Phillip Island, VIC / AUS (Monday 28th September, 2026): The 2026 Surfing Australia Junior series will continue this week at the iconic waves of Cape Woolamai as Phillip Island hosts the Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island, presented by Bass Coast Shire.

Running from September 29 to October 3, the five-day event will be the final 10,000-point opportunity of the 2026 Surfing Australia Junior Series, bringing some of Australia’s best young surfers to Phillip Island for one final chance to climb the national rankings.

With the season coming down to its final event, every heat will carry added significance as competitors battle for valuable points and a place in the end-of-season standings.

The event will also play a crucial role in determining the qualifiers for the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final, with the top four finishers in the Under 14 and Under 16 divisions earning qualification for the National Final at URBNSURF Melbourne on October 19.

Surfers from across Australia will compete across six divisions:

Under 14 Boys

Under 14 Girls

Under 16 Boys

Under 16 Girls

Under 18 Boys

Under 18 Girls

For many competitors, the Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island represents the final opportunity of the season to make a significant move up the national rankings, while for others it provides a chance to secure their place among the country’s leading junior surfers.

Surfing Victoria CEO Adam Robertson said the combination of national ranking points and National Final qualification would make for an exciting finish to the junior season.

“The Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island has always attracted some of the best young surfers in the country, and having it as the final 10,000-point event of the Surfing Australia Junior Series adds another level of importance,” said Robertson.

“For a lot of these athletes, this is their last opportunity to make a move on the rankings, so we’re expecting some really strong competition across the five days.”

“It’s also a fantastic opportunity to showcase junior surfing on Phillip Island and bring some of the country’s best young surfers, along with their families and coaches, to the Bass Coast.”

The Rip Curl GromSearch has long played an important role in the development of Australia’s next generation of surfing talent, with a number of former competitors going on to compete at the highest level of the sport, including World Championship Tour surfers Owen Wright and Molly Picklum.

The event will also provide a significant boost to the Bass Coast region, with hundreds of competitors, coaches, families and supporters travelling to Phillip Island throughout the five-day competition.

Supported by the Victorian Government’s Significant Sporting Events Program, the event will contribute to the region’s spring visitor economy, with competitors and spectators expected to support local accommodation providers, cafes, restaurants, retail businesses and tourism operators throughout the event.

With the national junior surfing season reaching its final chapter, spectators are encouraged to head to Cape Woolamai from September 29 to October 3 to watch Australia’s emerging surfing talent battle it out for national ranking points and a place in the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final.

Event live scores and schedule can be found via liveheats.com/surfingvictoriaalong with a live broadcast across all 5 days.

The Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island is proudly presented by Rip Curl and Bass Coast Shire, with support from the Victorian Government, Fat Boy Bikes, Ritual Vision Sunglasses, Vitality Brands, Cancer Council Sunscreen, Surfing Australia, Beyond Coconut Water, Park Lane Holiday Parks, Phillip Island Boardriders Club and Surf Better Now.