What started as a grassroots initiative on the shores of Bali in 2019 has now grown into one of Asia’s most exciting platforms for young surfers. Tipi Jabrik’s Grom Patrol Surf Series is finally making its way to India, and the buzz is real. After making its international debut in Khao Lak, Thailand, in 2024, the series is set to light up two of India’s favorite surf spots this year: Mangalore on the west coast from May 24th-28th, 2025 and Covelong on the east coast from July 10th to 15th, 2025. The stakes? A chance to ride the waves against Asia’s best young surfers at the grand finals in Kuta Beach, Bali, this August.
“It’s a great program to get more youngsters into the competitive side of surfing in a disciplined and structured environment. Hosting our own Grom Patrol events gives our kids the opportunity to progress and earn a trip to Bali in August, where they can meet and compete with the best young surfers in Asia,” says Arun Vasu, President of Surfing Federation of India.
With surfing gaining serious traction along India’s coastline, this could be the moment young Indian surfers have been waiting for. As the Grom Patrol Surf Series enters its seventh year, the focus remains on nurturing talent at home before these groms take on international waters. Tipi Jabrik, the founder of the series and ASC, highlights how the series is designed to make it easier for more countries to host their own events, hoping to bring in even more regions in the future.
But the real question is, could this be where India finds its very own Bronson Meydi — the next breakout grom with the talent to finally make it to CT? With the growing pool of talent and the added push from initiatives like this, the dream doesn’t seem too far off.
