The Italian stop of the Rip Curl GromSearch 2026 concluded yesterday at the Pontile del Tonfano. The event was valid both as a stage of the FISSW Italian Junior Championship and as a European qualifier for the famous international circuit dedicated to the world’s best young surfing talents.

For an entire day, Marina di Pietrasanta became the center of European junior surfing, welcoming more than 70 athletes from across Italy and several countries around the world, including the United States, Vietnam, France, and other European nations. Surfers competed in the Under 12, Under 14, Under 16, and Under 18 divisions, delivering spectacular heats, radical maneuvers, and an outstanding technical level.

The Pontile del Tonfano once again confirmed its potential as one of Italy’s premier locations for competitive surfing, offering waves “of all sizes” throughout the day and highly variable conditions that made the competition even more spectacular and selective.

Despite particularly challenging sea and weather conditions during the event, the athletes demonstrated remarkable determination, competitive maturity, and adaptability. Strong winds, rough seas, and technically demanding conditions rewarded wave reading, control, and strategy, highlighting the level of the new generation of Italian and international surfers.

Symbolic of this spirit was the handshake between the Mayor of Pietrasanta, Alberto Giovannetti, and the President of the Italian Surfing Federation, Claudio Ponzani, representing the synergy between institutions and the federation in the development and promotion of surfing within the region.

Winners of the Rip Curl GromSearch Italy 2026

Under 12 Boys

1st Leonardo Russo | 2nd Mattia Martinelli | 3rd Mattia Annese

Under 14 Boys

1st Daniel Mereu | 2nd Santiago Giorgini | 3rd Federico Tamagna

Under 14 Girls

1st Caterina Congiu | 2nd Andrea Rossi | 3rd Elena Dazzi

Under 16 Boys

1st Samuele Agiliani | 2nd Jamie Vaglio | 3rd Tommaso Tognetti

Under 16 Girls

1st Nadia Nalesso | 2nd Emma Ridolfini

Under 18 Boys

1st Michele Scoffa | 2nd Achille Castè | 3rd Riccardo Gennari

Under 18 Girls

1st Diana Giorgi | 2nd Chiara Cuppone | 3rd Magnolia Rossi

The event was organized by Nimbus Surfing Club in collaboration with Rip Curl and FISSW, with the support of a technical, media, and organizational staff composed of professionals from the action sports and surfing world.

“We are extremely satisfied with how this edition of the Rip Curl GromSearch Italy unfolded here in Marina di Pietrasanta. We saw many highly motivated young surfers, an impressive technical level, and strong international participation. For Nimbus Surfing Club, it was a source of pride to bring an event of this caliber back to the Pontile del Tonfano, transforming Marina di Pietrasanta into a reference point for European junior surfing.” — Filippo Ceragioli, President of Nimbus Surfing Club

“The level of Italian junior surfing today is certainly among the highest ever reached in recent years. Events such as the Rip Curl GromSearch Italy are fundamental because they allow our young athletes to compete against international surfers, gain experience, and grow both technically and mentally, while also contributing to the growth of the Italian surf community. I would define this new generation of surfers as hungry: eager to improve, travel, compete, and bring Italian surfing to increasingly higher levels. As a Federation, we will continue investing in youth development, supporting events, competitive pathways, and growth opportunities for young talents.” — Claudio Ponzani, President of FISSW

Special thanks go to all sponsors and partners who contributed to the realization of the event: Rip Curl, FISSW, Nimbus Surfing Club, Banca di Credito Cooperativo della Versilia, Lunigiana e Garfagnana, Berkshire Hathaway, the Municipality of Pietrasanta, the Viareggio Coast Guard Authority, Marevivo Toscana, and all technical and regional partners who supported the event.

The Rip Curl GromSearch will now continue with its upcoming European stops, while the top riders emerging from the Italian stage will pursue their journey toward the continental finals of the circuit.