Every autumn, the Landes coast pulses to the rhythm of North Atlantic swells; in 2025, that beat welcomes the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final, The perfect setting for the new guard of world surfing.
Rip Curl GromSearch 2025 World Final: reasons for landing in Hossegor
After a stop in Bali last year, the world’s most selective junior circuit sets up camp from November 4 to 8 between La Gravière and Les Culs Nus. Hossegor ticks every box: shifting sandbanks, a well-oiled welcome thanks to events like the Quiksilver Festival, and a strong network of associations led by the Hossegor Surf Club.
- Consistent late autumn swells
- Multi-generational surf culture
- Simple logistics between Capbreton and Seignosse
- Back-up spots within skating distance
| Key facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Waiting period window | November 4 – 8, 2025 |
| Nations represented | 7 (AUS, BRA, USA, IDN, ARG, ZAF, EUR) |
| Digital wildcards | 2 via #GromSearchOnline |
| Guest stars | Molly Picklum / Crosby Colapinto |
The Hossegor choice as seen by Rip Curl
James Taylor, the brand’s GM of Marketing, emphasizes that “landais beach-breaks reveal instinct”.”. On site, long-standing partners Quiksilver, Billabong, Roxy, Volcom, Oxbow, Vissla, and the All Mollets crew provide a compact event village designed for groms who love fresh wax and real-time stats.
Competition format: 16 chosen, 2 wildcards, a ruthless ladder
The contest is held in man-on-man from the quarterfinals onward, to test peak reading under media pressure. Clips from #GromSearchOnline have added two unconventional styles to the start list, confirming the tour’s digital DNA.
- U16 boys & girls categories
- Classic WSL priority without exotic rules
- 30 minutes per heat, tolerance +5 if solid conditions
| Year | Winner GromSearch | CT status 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Erin Brooks | N°9 in the world |
| 2020 | Jarvis Earle | Rookie of the Year |
| 2021 | Sawyer Lindblad | Top 12 |
| 2022 | Cruz Dinofa | Qualifier Series |
#GromSearchOnline: wildcarders come out of the cloud
The Insta feed has been exploding since the call for clips; more than 1,200 videos tagged @RipCurl have been viewed by the judges. This format opens the door to kids from less publicized backgrounds: a radical Tahitian already featured in the article Tahiti’s new generation of surfers could well shake things up in the lineup.
Landes spots: tube laboratories for the future elite
The La Nord / La Gravière / Les Culs Nus triangle has shaped the character of French juniors for two decades. The W-NW orientation typical of early November generates hollow walls that punish even the slightest late rail engagement.
- La Gravière: vertical take-off, express tube
- La Nord: longer walls, ideal for turns + barrel combos
- Les Culs Nus: changing peak, perfect for testing adaptability
| Tide | Ideal height (m) | Wave type | Average score 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rising mid-tide | 1,5 - 2 | Hollow tubes | 7.8 |
| Full tide | 2 - 2,3 | Powerful tracks | 6.1 |
| Descending | 1 - 1,3 | Shunting sections | 5.6 |
Anecdote: the ghost session of October 2024
During the French Championships, a temporary bench in La Nord offered an 8-second barrel to a local cadet. This moment convinced Rip Curl to lock in the destination for 2025, confirming the Landes“ ”tube school » reputation.
Molly Picklum & Crosby Colapinto: 100 % CT mentors for groms
The star duo come to play the big brother, but above all to share a crucial skill: managing an unpredictable beach-break under global media pressure.
- Molly Picklum: 2025 World Champion, perfect score at Pipeline
- Crosby Colapinto: Californian flow, massive frontside/backside switch
| Transferred competence | Expected impact on U16s |
|---|---|
| Reading sandbanks | More aggressive placement at peak |
| Time-out management | Reduced stress before heats |
| Nutrition & recovery | Endurance on double sessions |
Local skills transfer
Hossegor surfers are already benefiting from impromptu clinics. Proof of this is young Tya Zebrowski, mentioned in this article, Crosby completed a series of training sessions in La Nord on a recent lay day.
Digital coverage: from sand to screen in real time
The 2025 media setup raises the bar even further: live streaming on ripcurl.com, weather data overlays, and highlights edited within the hour by the Surf Session.
- 4K multi-cam streaming
- Interactive replays angle drone
- Backstage podcasts hosted by the Vissla crew
| Platform | Audiences 2024 | Projection 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Official website | 1.3 M views | 2 M+ |
| 4.7 M impressions | 6 M | |
| TikTok | 2 M likes | 3,5 M |
Impact of #GromSearchOnline on the surf ecosystem
The digital format is boosting the popularity of junior surfing, as illustrated by the South American wild card interviewed in this report. The result: sponsors like All Mollets and Oxbow are already scouting for the next muses.
Springboard for the French Crew: towards Los Angeles 2028
With two stages in France (Lacanau then the European final in Hossegor on October 22-23), the Federation is looking to promote its nuggets. The spectre of the 2028 Olympic Games is spurring on the French groms.
- Federal training courses coupled with GromSearch week
- Video analysis sessions at the Hossegor Surf Club
- All Mollets training camp on cold November sand
| Surfing | European final result 2024 | Objective 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Tya Zebrowski | U16 champion | World podium |
| Tom Rey | 2ᵉ place | CT 2026 qualification |
| Lola Bortoli | 1/4 final | Top 4 Europe |
Focus: national championships as a breeding ground
The results of the French Championships 2025 confirm this generation’s rise to prominence. It makes sense: many of them discovered competition through the surfing championship in Hossegor held every summer.
What are the exact dates of the GromSearch 2025 World Finals?
The waiting window runs from November 4 to 8, 2025, with a call every morning at 7:30 a.m. on La Gravière beach.
How do I get a wildcard for the event?
Two tickets are awarded via the #GromSearchOnline competition: simply post your best wave, tag @RipCurl and await the jury’s selection before October 1ᵉʳ.
Where can you follow the live stream in French?
The official webcast is hosted on ripcurl.com, with French commentary by the Surf Session team and technical analysis by the Hossegor Surf Club.
Typical weather conditions in early November in Hossegor?
Long W-NW swells between 1.8 and 3 m, offshore NE wind in the morning; water temperature 17-18°C.
Which former GromSearch winners dominate the CT 2025?
Among the most notable are Gabriel Medina, Caroline Marks, Caitlin Simmers, and Molly Picklum, all of whom came through the Rip Curl junior circuit.