Carl Wiersma from Port Alfred and Leah Lepront from Scottburgh remain in Australia for the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final covered by Sun Bum, happening at North Narrabeen on Sydney’s Northern Beaches from 7– 10 November.
The 2 South African qualifiers made their locations by winning the premier U16 departments at the Rip Curl GromSearch Port Alfred provided by the Royal St Andrews Hotel.
Strong browse at Port Alfred supplied a requiring test for South Africa’s leading junior web surfers. Wiersma beat Ben Esterhuyse in the kids’ last, publishing 15.50 out of 20. Lepront won the ladies’ title ahead of Jasmine Venter. Both made worldwide last berths and R20,000 travel coupons.
The GromSearch was an anchor occasion of the effective Port Alfred Easter Festival 2026. With the Royal St Andrews Hotel backing quality browse competitors, browsing stays main to a celebration that brings rivals, households and visitors into town over Easter.
Now the focus moves to Australia, where 16 of the world’s finest U16 web surfers will object to the global titles.
A natural-footer groomed on the rights of Port Alfred’s East Beach, Wiersma brings a lot of experience in effective beach-break conditions.
“I’m incredibly stired to be here in Australia. The waves are enjoyable, the location is gorgeous, and I’m grateful to have this chance. Now I’m simply eager to pull on a contest vest and start,” stated Wiersma.
Lepront is a goofy-footer whose regional break is Scottburgh’s right-hand, sand-bottom point. North Narrabeen provides a various obstacle: a first-rate left-hand beach-break, with many other wave choices close by.
“I’m truly eagerly anticipating contending versus a few of the very best U16 internet users on the planet. The waves have actually been actually enjoyable, and I can’t wait to start and see how I go,” stated Lepront.
The GromSearch winners’ list provides some sign of the requirement. World champs Caitlin Simmers, Caroline Marks and Gabriel Medina have actually all won, together with Erin Brooks, Brisa Hennessy, Samuel Pupo, and Leonardo Fioravanti.
More than 60% of the web surfers on the 2026 WSL Championship Tour are previous GromSearch winners. 5 of the 6 browsing medallists from the previous 2 Olympic Games likewise completed in GromSearch occasions.
The previous 19 WSL females’s world titles have actually been won by previous GromSearch finalists.
For Wiersma and Lepront, it is a chance to check their browsing versus a strong worldwide field and contend for titles formerly declared by a few of the sport’s greatest names.
Enjoy the occasion live and complimentary on Rip Curl’s YouTube channel.
The Rip Curl International GromSearch is happily covered by Sun Bum and supported by Ritual Vision and Fatboy Bikes.
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