Louise Lepront and Rory Dace Earn Equal Third at Rip Curl International GromSearch in Bali

Bali, Indonesia – The 2024 Rip Curl GromSearch International, covered by Sun Bum, concluded today at Pererenan Beach with impressive waves and high-calibre performances, further establishing its reputation as the premier event for emerging surfing talent. The competition saw the UK’s Lukas Skinner defend his title in the 16 & Under Boys division, while the USA’s Eden Walla claimed victory in the 16 & Under Girls category. 

Lukas Skinner’s Path to Victory

Lukas Skinner’s journey to the final was thrilling. He earned a perfect 10 score for a flawless alley-oop into a carve, finishing with a smooth air-reverse. In the tense final, Lukas was up against Spain's Dylan Donegan, who had earlier defeated South Africa’s Rory Dace in the semi-finals. Despite trailing, Lukas secured victory by riding one of the biggest waves of the day and landing a massive straight air, scoring a 9.33.

“Man, it means the world to me,” said Lukas. “Dylan had me on the ropes. We both got two eights, and he scored higher on both, but I knew I had to go big on my next chance. I’ve been struggling to beat Dylan all year—he pushes me so much—and I’m stoked to finally get him.”

16 & Under Girls Division

In the 16 & Under Girls final, American Eden Walla triumphed over Australia's Ziggy Mackenzie, who had earlier defeated Scottburgh’s Louise Lepront in the semi-finals. Eden demonstrated her composure and skill under pressure, navigating the challenging man-on-man format with ease. “I think my dad was more nervous than me, but the man-on-man format is nerve-racking,” Eden said. “It was such a cool experience surfing in this CT format, and I’m so happy with the win.”

Highlights of the Day

Surfing legends Steph Gilmore, Molly Picklum, and Rosy Hodge added flair to the live webcast commentary, discussing standout moments such as Spain’s Carla Morera placing equal third in the girls' division at just 13 years old. They also highlighted the impressive rail surfing of Australia's Ben Zanatta Creagh, who reached the semi-finals in the boys’ category.

Launching Pad for Future Stars

The Rip Curl GromSearch International is more than a competition; it serves as a launching pad for future professional surfing stars. Remarkably, two-thirds of current Championship Tour (CT) surfers have competed in GromSearch events, underscoring its significance in shaping the careers of elite surfers.

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

Supporters and Coverage

The event was covered by Zigzag Magazine and supported by Zigzag, Sea Harvest, the Royal St Andrews Hotel, and Surfing South Africa.

About Surfing South Africa

Surfing South Africa (SSA) is the official National Federation for surfing in South Africa, affiliated with the South African Confederation of Sport and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and recognised by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. SSA is responsible for developing the sport, hosting national tournaments, sanctioning international events, and selecting national teams. It is also a member of the African Surfing Confederation (ASC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).

Press Release Submitted By

Company Name: Surfing South AfricaContact Person: Craig JarvisContact Email: info@craigjarvis.co.zaContact Number: 082 376 4443

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Louise Lepront and Rory Dace Earn Equal Third at Rip Curl GromSearch in BaliSouth Africa’s young surfers shine on the global stage, with top talent emerging in Bali!

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