Tyler Wright may be Australia’s newest surfing champion, but she’s no amateur. At just 14 years of age, Wright became the youngest surfer to ever win an Australian Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Championship Tour victory. At 17, she was the ASP Rookie of the Year. Now, at 22, she’s the 2016 WSL Women’s World Champion.
Despite being so young, she’s got a reputation for being humble and down-to-earth. Add to that to an unwavering determination, a lifelong love affair with the ocean, and you’ve got one awesome and inspiring surfer rockin’ the waves.
Ahead of her appearance at the Australian Open of Surfing in Sydney’s Manly, we caught up with Aussie surfer. Wright let us in on her daily routine, dished on her favourite beaches in NSW and revealed her secret indulgence.
Read on to get to know more about this rising star.
Are you excited for the Australian Open of Surfing? What are you looking forward to?
For sure. I love that it’s close to home and there’s a lot going on throughout the whole week. The live music is always great and it’ll be nice to catch up with some of the other women on the tour. The whole area seems to get behind the event. It always feels like a mini festival.
Have you spent much time in Manly before? If so, what are some of your favourite things about this beautiful Sydney spot?
I’ve been competing in the Australian Open of Surfing in Manly for a couple of years now. Being so close to the start of the year, it’s a great way to get into competition mode for the upcoming CT events. Manly has a great surfing culture and the Northern Beaches are full of different spots to surf – there’s always a fun wave somewhere.
Can you share your favourite beaches/surf breaks in NSW and reveal what you love most about them?
I love the NSW South Coast, specifically Culburra, because that’s where I grew up and where learnt to surf. Because I travel for most of the year, coming home to the South Coast is what I look forward to. Everywhere from Gerringong to Jervis Bay… that stretch of coast is the best in the world, I think.
Do you follow a specific diet to help you feel your best in and out of the surf?
Everything in moderation, that’s what I live by. In season I stay as healthy as I can, working out and eating well. But at the end of the day, I like to be balanced, and I don’t want to feel as though food is a burden. I won’t say no to the occasional doughnut, that’s for sure.
What’s your training regime like?
In season, I train almost every day, and I surf as much as I can. A lot of my training is also injury prevention, as well as agility and cardio. I like to get active out in nature so when I can I enjoy running the Kiama Coast Walk. It is a great 22 km track that begins at Minnamurra and finishes at Gerringong. I just want my body to be able to move with confidence, strength and power when I’m in the water – that’s my goal.
What else do you like to do other than surfing?
Most of the time I like to hang around with my family. And even if I’m not surfing, I’m at the beach. When I’m at home and it’s warm, I like to go to Seven Mile Beach in Kiama for a swim. No matter how many people are at the beach, you always have lots of space as it is one of the longest beaches on the South Coast.
I also like reading. I always have a book handy, no matter where I am.
What are your health goals for 2017?
I’d like to just continue living a healthy, balanced and fun lifestyle. I want to enjoy family, friends and good food. For me, that’s what life’s all about.
Quick Questions
First thing I do in the morning: Check out the surf.
Last thing I do at night: Read a book.
Most people probably don’t know this about me, but: I don’t talk that much.
If I were a fruit or vegetable I’d be: A watermelon.
If sugar were a superfood, my diet would consist of: Oh this is a tough one! I love breakfast cereals, ice cream, desserts like pancakes and waffles and chocolate—Cadbury is my favourite.
My pet peeve is: People driving through the fog without their hazard lights on—it’s so dangerous!
My favourite emoji is: 😏🖕
Favourite app: SkyView
Instagram stalk: @corey_wilson
