RIP CURL PRO SEARCH, EVERYWHERE

As a mobile specialty world tour event, whose venue was only announced shortly beforehand, the Rip Curl Pro Search injected that unknown X-factor to the tour every year. Spanning seven consecutive years in a row, it proved the most exciting stop on tour for many of those. It exposed new waves, explored new regions and stoked the world’s best surfers. But it also set the clocks back to zero for competitors on tour, most of whom remained unfamiliar with the locations. Tour veterans and rookies alike competed on a more level-playing field.

Largely scheduled during the latter part of the World Tour season in its final years, The Search played a key part in the final stages of the world title race if not deciding it. In fact in 2011, due to a minor misjudgement by the ASP, the San Francisco edition got to see a world champion crowned twice! A first in surfing history.

Other epic locations during its time included Reunion Island, Mexico, Chile, Indonesia, Portugal, and Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico to be always remembered as the tragic emotional roller coaster it was. Marred by Andy’s passing, Kelly would go on to win the event and in the process claim a historic 10th world title, and Steph Gilmore her fourth.

While the event has been shelved, since 2012 Rip Curl promised to be back. Originally in 2013. But that didn’t happen. With the ‘floating licence’ being so closely tied to Rip Curl’s ‘Search’ slogan, it’s unlikely any other brand would back the concept. Its fate is therefore lying in Rip Curl’s financial future.