MACKIE AND TUACH HEAD TO PUERTO RICO FOR THE RIP CURL NATIONAL FINALS

Chelsea Tuach and Dane Mackie will be amongst some of the world’s best Groms who will join the ASP’s best male and female surfers in a historic fashion. It will be the first time the world will witness the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final presented by H2O Overdrive held amidst the ultimate stage of the Rip Curl Pro Search “Somewhere in Puerto Rico”.

With a 3-day waiting period, October 30th to November 1st, Dane and Chelsea will be amongst the 32 qualifiers who will join 4 local Puerto Rican standouts to battle it out for prize money and international fame, as the National Final will be transmitted to the world through the world wide webcast. The competitors will be in top form, ready to tackle what is so often referred to as “The Atlantic’s Hawaii” – Middles, Puerto Rico. True to the mystique of the Rip Curl Pro Search, the event will have mobile capabilities, staying nimble to what the swell and weather conditions produce.

Chelsea Tuach placed 1st in the Girls 16 & Under Division in the Rip Curl Gromsearch held in August at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina earning her a coveted spot at the finals. Dane Mackie placed 2nd in the 12 & Under in New Symrna, Florida in August in what was deemed the closest final of the day and will also be making his mark at the final in Puerto Rico.

The format for this year is that each competitor will surf a first-round, 15-minute heat where the heat winners will move straight to the final and the second and third place surfers will surf a do-or-die second round heat. The top two will advance to the 4-man final to battle it out for the top spot and $500 cash. The winners of the Boys and Girls 16/under divisions will get the boarding pass to the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach 2011 to compete in the International GromSearch Finals.

The Rip Curl GromSearch sponsors are stepping it up big for the National final. H2O Overdrive, and Dragon Eyewear will be stepping it up with special prizes for Manaeuver of the Event and the Highest Heat Total of the Event. Other sponsors are Power Balance and Bubble Gum Wax.

Surfing Mag, Surfline, and Fuel TV will be covering all the action and there will be Live webcast on live.ripcurl.com from October 30th to November 1st, 2010.