Under the scorching October sun of Coachella Valley, some of America’s best young surfers gathered at the Palm Springs Surf Club last weekend for the 2024 Rip Curl GromSearch National Final. Despite temperatures soaring to 110°F, competitors from California, Florida, and Hawaii hit the artificial waves, showcasing their skills in a setting unlike any other.
The event crowned champions in four categories: Lucas Cassity (Boys Under 16), Eden Walla (Girls Under 16), Merrik Mochkatel (Boys Under 14), and Zoey Kaina (Girls Under 14). These young surfers, selected for their prowess in regional competitions, demonstrated the bright future of American surfing. The U16 divisions hosted 15 competitors, while 14 surfers vied for top honors in the U14 categories.
More than 25,000 fans tuned in to the live broadcast on The Couch Surfing Show’s channel. Special recognition was given to Joe Alani, Kekoa Bascalso, and Keoni “Cheeseburger” Nazaki, along with the camera crew, who braved the intense desert heat to bring the action to viewers.
Cassity stood out with his mature, fluid style of rail surfing. The tall regularfoot, originally from Baja, Mexico, had a remarkable 2024 competitive season. Earlier in the year, he secured victory in the boys’ division (called the “Bottle Rockets”) at Stab High Japan. In Palm Springs, he kept his focus on clean turns and stylish tail slides. His standout moment came with an 8.5 score for a tube-to-turn combo, the highest of the Boys U16 final, earning him a total of 16.2 points to secure the title.
Meanwhile, Walla, who claimed victory at the Huntington Beach GromSearch event in June, delivered an exceptional performance in the pool. In her first right-hander during the Girls U16 final, the San Clemente surfer posted a massive 9.6 score, thanks to a seamless slab tube followed by a grab-rail cutback. Her precision and flair had the judging booth buzzing with excitement.
In addition to the main competition, special accolades were awarded. Beckham McCart earned the Banzai Bowls Best Air with a perfectly executed fins-free nosepick, while Brodi Buck had a blast in the Soft Tech Surfboards Expression Session, making the most of the event’s lighter moments.
For some, the journey doesn’t end here. By winning their U16 divisions, both Walla and Cassity have earned spots in the prestigious Rip Curl GromSearch International Final, set to take place next month in Bali. From November 10-16, they will compete against regional champions from around the globe, including surfers from Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, France, Spain, and Indonesia. The international final will be held at the legendary Lakey Peak, where these young talents will face their toughest challenge yet.
As the sun set over the desert and the waves calmed, the 2024 Rip Curl GromSearch National Final solidified its reputation as a proving ground for the next generation of surfing stars.
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