The Rip Curl Grom Search was held over the weekend (18+19 Mar 2023) and number of Welsh groms took the journey down south to compete against the best under-16s in the country at the Rip Curl Grom Search in Newquay.

This is the biggest under-16 competition in the UK with the winners of each age group qualifying for a spot in the European finals which in turn can qualify you for a place in the world finals which this year is in Bells Beach Australia, so a pretty good prize for anyone.
Due to the size of the swell, Saturday's competition site was set up at great western beach with 3-4ft clean sets and unseasonably warm and sunny weather - the stage was set for a great weekend!

All the groms surfed well and battled against some pretty solid surf all getting good waves and coming out smiling.

Sunday… finals day… was moved back to Fistral beach. First thing in the morning there was a bit of residual swell and the wind was on it, providing some solid tricky conditions. As the day progressed the conditions fluctuated when the tide hit the different banks on the way in, and kept competitors on their toes. As the tide got high the conditions groomed up and provided a great amphitheater for the finals to take place.

In the finals Summer-Marie Moore surfed her way into second place in the u12 girls, whilst Katie David had a hard fought heat catching some of the best waves in an edge-of-you’re-seat heat of the final of the u16 girls, finishing second place .
A great weekend with an amazing vibe and various give away from sponsors Rip Curl, Puravida, Oakley and a range of Skin Dog surfboards to trial kept all the groms frothing all weekend.

Results.

U12 girls
Summer-Marie Moore (WCSC) 2nd

U14 Girls
Taylor shelmerdine (LBR) 8th
Josie Hawke (PSC) 6th

U14 boys
Elijah Jones (PSC) 11th
Coby Williams (WCSC) 10th

U16 girls
Indi Lynch (PSC) 6th
Poppy Owen (PSC) 5th
Katie David (PSC) 2nd

U16 boys
Tomos O’Leary (WCSC) 10th
Arthur Buick (PSC) 8th
Luca Owen (WCSC) 5th