Image: Atlantic Park
Atlantic Park is North America’s first Wavegarden Cove. The facility opened in Virginia Beach in August and has hit the ground running. Now, Rip Curl is getting in on the action. The retailer just announced its official partnership with Atlantic Park, which will in turn host the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final on October 4.
“We’re stoked to be joining forces with Atlantic Park Surf, a partner that shares our commitment to supporting the future of surfing in North America,” said PJ Connell, VP Marketing & E-Commerce at Rip Curl North America. “Atlantic Park’s innovative technology sets a new benchmark for high-performance surfing, making it the perfect venue to crown the next generation of champions at the GromSearch National Final.”
The Rip Curl National GromSearch Final will pit 64 of the top under-16 surfers from across North America against each other. To earn their way to the event, each will qualify at one of four regional Rip Curl GromSearch stops in Tofino, British Columbia; Huntington Beach, California; Kewalos, Oahu; or Ocean City, New Jersey.
“Given Virginia Beach’s lasting heritage and culture as the birthplace of East Coast surfing, hosting the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final at Atlantic Park Surf is an honor,” said Nate Stevens, General Manager of Atlantic Park Surf. “We look forward to a continued partnership with Rip Curl and to elevating surfing, not just on the East Coast but across the United States.”
This actually won’t be the first contest to be held in the nascent pool. In August, the facility held the aptly-named Chlorine Clash, an inaugural invitational event that was won by Dmitri Poulos and Reid Van Wagoner.
