Lepront and Dace Advance on Day 3 of the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final Covered by Sun Bum in Bali

15 November 2024:

Bali, Indonesia – An international field of talented young surfers wowed 8x World Champ Steph Gilmore today at The Rip Curl GromSearch International Final, covered by Sun Bum in Bali. Gilmore was on the judging panel when stand-out female Ziggy Mackenzie unleashed explosive forehand rail surfing in the silky 3ft waves to easily win, signalling her intentions for finals day.

“What an epic day! It was amazing to see the next generation ripping and setting a new standard,” said current world number 5, Molly Picklum.

The event format mimicked the WSL’s Championship Tour surfer-on-surfer heats, allowing competitors to experience what it’s like if they make it to the elite ranks. Considering that over two-thirds of the existing Championship Tour comprises previous Rip Curl GromSearch winners, that experience should prove very valuable in the near future.

Other winners in the 16 & under Girls Round 1 included South Africa’s Louise Lepront (Scottburgh) and the USA’s Eden Walla.

Louise Lepront was on fire at the Rip Curl GromSearch in Bali

The 16 & Under Boys field also delivered high-energy action, with Dylan Donegan (ESP) nailing a buzzer-beater in the dying minutes of his heat to sneak through, while defending champion Lucas Skinner (GBR) posted the highest-scoring heat total of the day to secure his spot in the quarter-finals.

Round two continued for the Boys in the afternoon with the first eliminations for the event taking place. Dylan Wilcoxen (IND) advanced with some incredible fin throws, while Rory Dace (Cape St Francis, ZAF) also impressed with proper man carves. In the 16 & Under Girls, Rosie Richardson (AUS) performed some high-impact single turns to advance to the quarterfinals alongside #RipCurlGromSearchOnline winner Catalina Zariquiey Vegas (PER).

Rory Dace powered through to the quarterfinals.

Some incredible matchups have been set up for finals day tomorrow.

For full results, visit the LiveHeats Event Page, or follow the Final Days live webcast: YouTube Live Webcast.

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The Rip Curl GromSearch Global Finals will be covered by Zigzag Magazine, and the South African team is supported by Zigzag, Sea Harvest, the Royal St Andrews Hotel, and Surfing South Africa.