Tya Zebrowski, 11, representative of the new generation of French surfing

To miss. Hi Tya, is skiing a family passion?

Tia Zebrowski. Yes, both of my parents are also professional surfers and former snowboarders. I love going on the water with them and my five year old brother. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s great!

I was five when I entered my first competition.

Tia Zebrowski

To miss. At what age did you make the first take-offs (standing on the board) ?

Tia Zebrowski. I started two and a half years old with my father who is a surf teacher. He taught me everything. I then traveled everywhere with my family and spent most of my time between France, Tahiti and the Landes, where I currently live.

To miss. So you grew up with your feet in the water?

Tia Zebrowski. Yes, I have spent a lot of time at the seaside. Only two days before the deadline, my mother was still exaggerating. Then I spent most of my time in the water catching small waves. I was five when I entered my first competition.

To miss. How do you feel when you are standing on your table?

Tia Zebrowski. I feel like I’m walking on water. The sensations of gliding are magical. After a good surfing session, I always feel very happy.

To miss. What’s your favorite surf trick?

Tia Zebrowski. I like to do a lot of things with my shortboard (short board). But the figure I would dream of making is the reverse air (Editor’s note: aerial maneuver with full rotation in the air) !

On my social networks, managed by my mom, I receive many messages from girls my age who tell me that I inspire them and that I make them want to surf.

Tia Zebrowski

To miss. Can you tell me about your biggest fear in surfing?

Tia Zebrowski. It was this year, in Hawaii, at the Haleiwa spot on Oahu’s North Shore. I found myself faced with a huge wave, which rushed straight towards me. I yelled “Dad! And we hit him violently on the head. I feel like I’ve been underwater for three minutes. I came out of the water crying, with the board broken. But I quickly regained my senses and returned after fifteen minutes!

To miss. How do young people of your age see this impressive passion?

Tia Zebrowski. On my social networks, managed by my mom, I receive many messages from girls my age who tell me that I inspire them and that I make them want to surf.

To miss. Precisely what message do you want to convey to encourage them to get started?

Tia Zebrowski. That surfing is something incredible! And that the waves are great, we have a lot of fun.

To miss. Also, what do you say to people who think girls surf less well than boys?

Tia Zebrowski. That’s not true! In the water I’m not afraid to stand out among other male surfers. Personally, my goal is to be even better than the boys.

To miss. How do you manage to juggle surfing and school?

Tia Zebrowski. I follow distance training courses, which give me time to train and continue competitions. Most of my friends are also surfers, so we understand each other. But I am aware that unfortunately not all young people have this possibility.

To miss. T.You recently participated in the Junior World Surfing Championships in El Salvador. How did you live this incredible experience?

Tia Zebrowski. I was very lucky to be there, but it was also very tiring. I started the race well, but in the last four days I got sick from the unclean water. I was bedridden all day on my day off. But I still managed to surf and finished fourth, earning the copper medal.

Later I dream of going surfing the Mentawai Islands, because all the older children go there to train!

Tia Zebrowski

To miss. Who are the professional surfers who inspire you?

Tia Zebrowski. There are many ! Carissa Moore, Stephanie Gilmore, the French Johanne Defay…. I have sailed with most of them before and it was great.

To miss. What are your next goals?

Tia Zebrowski. I really want to be on CT [Ndlr : Championship Tour, circuit regroupant l’élite mondiale du surf] and win other titles, after that of vice-champion of surfing in the minimal category in 2021. Later I too dream of going surfing to the Mentawai Islands, because all the older children go there to train!

Photo credit: Tya Zebrowski’s YouTube channel / Screenshot