Avoca Beach junior surfer Talia Tebb has taken out the Under 12 Girls’ title at the Rip Curl GromSearch National Qualifier and is now guaranteed a spot in the national final, to be held in Melbourne next March.
The qualifier wound up at Merewether on October 2, with the 11-year-old continuing her run of wins after not losing a heat all week on her way to victory.
The win followed Talia’s success in the Under 12s NSW Grommet State Titles at Maroubra Beach on July 25.
She had also taken out the Billabong Occy Grom Competition earlier that month.
“I was very happy to win at the national qualifier, especially because two other girls from my local boardriders club came second and fourth in the same title,” she said.
“I started surfing when I was about three.
“My Dad had always surfed and I loved it from the start.
“I surf pretty much every day.”
As a member of the Avoca Boardriders club, Talia competes in local competitions every month and would like to one day become a professional surfer.
“I watch the pros perform and I want that to be my future,” she said.
Inspired by female pro surfers, Talia’s favourite is Tyler Wright, who at the age of 14 became the youngest-ever winner of a Championship Tour event, Layne Beachley’s Beachley Classic in 2008.
Wright joined the World Surf League Women’s Championship Tour in 2011 and won World Titles in 2016 and 2017.
“I love watching her surf – I really admire her style,” Talia said.
“I’m very excited to compete in the Nationals in March.
“They will be held at the wave pool in Melbourne.
“I did it last year and it’s really fun.”
Also performing well at the national qualifiers for the Coast were Zara Hall, who came second to Tebb in the Under 12 Girls and Olive Morriss who took fourth place.
Both girls also belong to the Avoca Boardriders.
Terry Collins