Are These Future World Champs?

North Narrabeen played host to the 2026 Rip Curl GromSearch International.

The under-16 event has been running since 1999, and its alumni include Caroline Marks, Caitlin Simmers, Erin Brooks, Leonardo Fioravanti, and one Gabriel Medina.

Hoping to follow in some of those footsteps, some of the world’s most promising kids from seven different countries came together at one of Sydney’s most storied Northern Beaches to measure up against each other.

This year’s winners were Finn Castle from Huntington Beach and Canarian Ladybird Carla Morera De La Vall. “It’s insane to win such a prestigious event,” Carla said. “I’ve seen the World Tour surfers that have won this event, and so to win this too is a dream come true. It gives me a bunch of confidence, like if they did this then I can too.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Carla Morera de la Vall (@carlamoreradelavall)

We’ve seen a bit of Carla’s surfing lately, and don’t doubt it.

The girls’ final was as tight as they come, with Carla beating Rose Holland by a margin of just 0.23 points. In the boys’ final, Finn beat local wildcard (and YETI Bottle Rocket) Jaggar Phillips, who earned his place in the event by winning the Sun Bum Local Trials.

“I can’t believe it. I’ve surfed so many hours to be where I am today. This is a goal that I’ve had for a while now and it’s unreal,” Finn said.

A guest Expression Session featured Mick Fanning, owner of three WSL world titles, Mason Ho, who won the event in 2005, former world champ and Narrabeen local Damian Hardman, and some of Rip Curl’s most promising. 

Probably worth remembering a few of these kid’s names. Just in case.