Two days of consistent sets, perfectly timed offshore winds, and a handful of determined groms: the international final of the Rip Curl GromSearch turned the Santocha spot into an arena of high-flying action. Judges, stationed at dune level, handed out scores in a red-hot atmosphere, sealing Australian dominance over an elite field from eight nations.
Hossegor, epicenter of Rip Curl GromSearch 2025 and proving ground for the new generation
Held from November 4 to 8, the contest benefited from a perfect weather window: 1.5 m swell, a 12-second period, and steady offshore winds. No surprise Capbreton and Hossegor were chosen after Bali; the Landes coast checks every box for showcasing the surfing of tomorrow.
- 16 qualified groms, 8 countries represented.
- Steady 1.5 to 1.8 m waves on the main sandbank.
- 196 maneuvers judged, including 27 aerials scored >8 pts.
| Spot | Average swell | Wind direction | Water temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santocha | 1.5 m | E-SE offshore | 18 °C |
| La Nord backup | 2.0 m | Side-off | 17 °C |
Between heats, the juniors benefited from gear advice shared in 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 favorite status after losing the final in Bali. He finally claimed gold by locking in a carve + air reverse combo scored 9.17, flawless on the rail and the lip.
Decisive final scores
| Surfing | Nation | Wave 1 | Wave 2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Lancaster | AUS | 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, forcing inside on the final set.
- Cardio credit: 4.2 km of paddling accumulated during the heat.
In the girls’ division, Eliza Richardson—15 years old—dominated the final despite a slower water surface. Her frontside gouge at noon followed by a tail-high reentry sealed the deal.
The new champion has not forgotten her injury-plagued year. Her comeback is already inspiring the youngest members of the local club, echoed in the French championship calendar.
Key moments: 9+ aerials, buzzer beaters, and legendary vibes
The day’s shocker remains Arthur Vilar’s Kerrupt Flip: 9.33 and a spike in crowd decibels. Between sets, Molly Picklum, Crosby Colapinto, and Tom Curren lit up an expression session for the ages.
- Arthur Vilar’s Kerrupt Flip: hollow section, backside takeoff, grabless rotation.
- The same Brazilian’s air reverse buzzer beater in the quarterfinals, validated at 0 seconds on the horn.
- Tya Zebrowski’s rail-to-rail turn on the phantom wave in 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 two aerials, the commentators pointed out that more than 60% of the 2025 CT – from Quiksilver to Billabong – came through GromSearch. A stat etched in wax.
The lineup then cleared out to make way for a beach cleanup organized with the local swell and environmental awareness team. Family vibes, true to the Volcom & Hurley.
After the final: opportunities, sponsors, and an eco-friendly shift
The 2008–2009 generation is entering the QS target zone; a GromSearch wildcard often means a boardshort contract. Vans, Oxbow, Dakine and others are already fine-tuning the profiles of the two Australians.
- 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 | Transporting riders in electric vehicles | -22% |
In the short term, several talents will join the Biarritz-Hossegor-Pau events to earn regional points. Attention is also turning to La Nord: knowing which board to bring out to take on the big swells remains the key question for every grom chasing 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 zone (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 the 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 give groms a unique learning ground, while placing organizers within reach of Europe’s pro-level infrastructure.
What impact has GromSearch had on the Championship Tour?
Since 1999, more than 60% of the surfers currently on the CT—Gabriel Medina, Caroline Marks, Owen Wright, Tatiana Weston-Webb, among others—were first discovered through GromSearch.
How can you follow the 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.