Two days of consistent sets, an offshore wind dialed in to the millimeter, and a handful of determined groms: the international final of the Rip Curl GromSearch turned the Santocha spot into a high-flying amphitheater. The judges, positioned at dune level, dished out scores in an electric atmosphere, sealing Australian dominance over an elite field from eight nations.
Hossegor, epicenter of the Rip Curl GromSearch 2025 and testing ground for the new generation
Held from November 4 to 8, the competition benefited from a perfect weather window: 1.5 m swell, a 12-second period, and steady offshore winds. It’s no surprise that Capbreton and Hossegor were chosen after Bali; the Landes coast ticks every box for showcasing the surfing of tomorrow.
- 16 qualified groms, 8 countries represented.
- Stable 1.5 to 1.8 m waves on the main sandbank.
- 196 maneuvers judged, including 27 aerials scoring >8 pts.
| Spot | Average swell | Wind direction | Water temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santocha | 1.5 m | Offshore E-SE | 18 °C |
| La Nord Back-Up | 2.0 m | Side-off | 17 °C |
Between heats, the juniors benefited from the equipment advice shared on the essential local equipment guide, to match FCS fins and refined rails to the changing conditions.
Ocean Lancaster & Eliza Richardson: an Australian duo shaking up the global lineup
At 16, Ocean Lancaster lived up to his status as favorite after losing the final in Bali. He finally clinched gold by locking in a carve + air reverse combo scored 9.17, flawless both on the rail and on the lip.
Decisive final scores
| Surfing | Nation | Wave 1 | Wave 2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Lancaster | OFF | 9.17 | 8.33 | 17.50 |
| Arthur Vilar | BRA | 8.60 | 7.73 | 16.33 |
- Two vertical backside turns, then a full-rotation air reverse for the 9.17.
- Tactical management: priority held for 6 minutes, pressure on the inside on the final set.
- Cardio credit: 4.2 km of paddling accumulated during the heat.
In the girls’ division, 15-year-old Eliza Richardson dominated the final despite slower conditions. Her frontside gouge at 12 o’clock followed by a tail-high re-entry sealed the deal.
The new champion has not forgotten her injury-plagued year. Her comeback is already inspiring the local club’s under-15s, echoed on the French Championships calendar.
Key moments: 9+ aerials, buzzer beaters and legendary vibes
The day’s biggest shock came from Arthur Vilar’s Kerrupt Flip: a 9.33 and a spike in decibels from the crowd. Between sets, Molly Picklum, Crosby Colapinto and Tom Curren lit up a memorable expression session.
- Arthur Vilar’s Kerrupt Flip: hollow section, backside takeoff, grabless rotation.
- A buzzer-beating air reverse from the same Brazilian in the quarterfinals, validated at 0 seconds on the horn.
- Tya Zebrowski’s rail-to-rail turn on the phantom wave of the semifinal.
| Maneuver | Surfing | Note | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kerrupt Flip | Arthur Vilar | 9.33 | Semifinal |
| Full rota air rev | Ocean Lancaster | 9.17 | Final |
| Layback snap | Eliza Richardson | 8.70 | Heat 1 |
Between aerials, the announcers reminded everyone that more than 60% of the 2025 CT – from Quiksilver to Billabong – came through GromSearch. A stat etched in wax.
The line-up then cleared out to make way for a beach cleanup organized with the local swell and environmental prevention team. A family atmosphere, true to the Volcom & Hurley.
After the final: opportunities, sponsors, and an eco-friendly shift
The 2008-2009 generation is entering the QS radar; a GromSearch wildcard often means a boardshorts contract. Vans, Oxbow, Dakine and company are already fine-tuning the two Australians’ proposals.
- Two 2026 wildcards awarded through #GromSearchOnline, judged by Picklum & Colapinto.
- Carpooling provided by the Citroën Ami Ocean Edition fleet.
- Logistical support from surf shops: see the overview of the best shops in Hossegor.
| Partner | Key action | Carbon impact |
|---|---|---|
| Rip Curl | Recycled E7 wetsuits | -18% |
| FCS | Bio-resin fins | -12% |
| Vans | Rider transport in electric vehicles | -22% |
In the short term, several talents will join the events Biarritz-Hossegor-Pau to rack up regional points. Eyes are also on La Nord: knowing which board to take out for tackling big swells remains the key question for any grom seeking performance.
Who can take part in the Rip Curl GromSearch?
The competition is open to male and female surfers under 16 selected through regional events organized by Rip Curl in each geographic area (Europe, Australia, the Americas, Asia-Pacific).
How do you qualify for the international final?
Winners of the regional finals automatically secure their spot. Two additional wildcards are awarded through the #GromSearchOnline digital challenge, judged on the quality of waves posted on social media.
Why is Hossegor considered a must-stop?
The variety of sandbanks, ideal exposure to autumn swells, and deeply rooted surf culture offer groms a unique learning ground, while giving organizers access to Europe’s professional infrastructure.
What is the impact of GromSearch on the Championship Tour?
Since 1999, more than 60% of surfers currently on the CT – including Gabriel Medina, Caroline Marks, Owen Wright, and Tatiana Weston-Webb – were first discovered through GromSearch.
How can you follow scores in real time?
The heats are broadcast with live scoring on the Rip Curl Events app and the official website, with replays available on YouTube one hour after the end of each heat.
