Following five events across some of Europe’s most iconic surf spots, the Rip Curl GromSearch European Final, presented by Citroën, is set to bring the continent’s best young surfers together at O2 SURFTOWN MUC in Munich on September 19.

For the first time, the European Final will take place at the world-class wave pool in Munich, where the winners of the 2026 European GromSearch events will battle it out for the title of Rip Curl GromSearch European Champion.

The competition will bring together the most promising young surfers from across Europe in three age categories: Under 16, Under 14 and Under 12. They will compete in a day of high-performance surfing and exciting heats, with the European Under 16 champions earning their place at the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final in Narrabeen, Australia, from November 7 to 10, where they will face the best young surfers from each region around the world.

Rip Curl GromSearch European Final
• Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
• Start: From 1:00 pm
• Location: O2 SURFTOWN MUC, Munich, Germany
• Entry: Free

Previous winners Eden Walla and Lukas Skinner at the international final in 2024.

The 2026 European series featured five events in Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Portugal and France, giving young surfers across the continent the opportunity to compete at some of Europe’s most renowned surf destinations.

The circuit kicked off in Tonfano, Italy, before heading to Somo in Spain, Newquay in the UK, Ericeira in Portugal and finally Lacanau, France. The five events have paved the way for the European Final in Munich, where the season’s best performers will meet for one final battle. 

Last year, the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final took place in France, in the Landes region. Australian surfers Ocean Lancaster and Eliza Richardson claimed victory in the Under 16 categories at the Santocha break in Capbreton.
The winners of the 2026 European Final will then have the opportunity to represent Europe at the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final, joining the best young surfers from around the world.

Since its creation in 1999, the Rip Curl GromSearch has played a key role in identifying and supporting the next generation of surfing talent. Over the years, the competition has helped launch the careers of many surfers who have gone on to become leading figures on the world stage, including multiple WSL World Champions and Olympic medallists such as Gabriel Medina, three-time World Champion, Stephanie Gilmore, eight-time World Champion, as well as Kauli Vaast and Caroline Marks, Olympic Champions in 2024.

The 2026 European Final in Munich marks another step in the development of the European GromSearch, bringing together the continent’s young talent in a new competition environment and giving them the opportunity to compete on one of Europe’s most innovative surf waves.

Thank you to the European Rip Curl GromSearch sponsors for their support: Citroën, SunBum, Fatboy, I Sea and FCS, as well as O2 SURFTOWN MUC who help make this event possible.

The best young surfers in Europe head to Munich for the Rip Curl GromSearch European Final