Surf Glossary Grom / Grommet

A grom (short for grommet) is a surf culture term for a young surfer — typically under 18 — who surfs with enthusiasm, natural talent, and the fearless progression characteristic of youth.

The term originated in Australian surf culture. Groms are deeply passionate about surfing, spend maximum time in the water, and progress rapidly at an age when motor skills and fearlessness peak.

Many World Surf League champions were identified as standout groms in their early teens and received structured coaching that shaped their careers. Early access to quality surf coaching is one of the strongest predictors of long-term development.

OCSC offers dedicated youth programs starting at age 5. For older groms (12+) with developing skills, the High Performance program offers competitive coaching including video analysis and heat strategy. Surf Camps are also a popular choice for accelerated grom progression.