Between Hossegor’s ever-shifting sandbanks and Teahupo’o’s razor-sharp reef, a 14-year-old is already making her mark: Tya Zebrowski. Born in Bayonne and raised between the Landes and Polynesia, this goofy-foot surfer blends Landes power surfing with pinpoint reading of Tahitian barrels. At a time when French surfing is racking up podium finishes, her name is on everyone’s lips, both in the lineups and at the Hossegor Surf Club.
A meteoric rise: from the Landes dunes to Polynesian barrels
The 2024–2025 season propelled Tya into another dimension. At 13, she claimed the Landes–France junior double, then, a month later, conquered the Olympic venue at Teahupo’o during a highly competitive QS event. Her list of achievements is taking shape in record time.
- First official competition: Landes championships U12, an outright win.
- Wild card for the 2025 national finals: first place in U14.
- Invited to the “New Tahitian Generation” training camp to prepare for Teahupo’o.
- Mathematical qualification for the 2026 Championship Tour at age 14.
| Year | Spot | Test | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Hossegor | Landes GromSearch | 1st |
| 2024 | Capbreton | “Surf & Rescue” | 2nd |
| 2024 | Teahupo’o | QS 1000 | 1st |
| 2025 | Grande Plage, Biarritz | France U16 | 1st |
Training is split between long winter sessions at the La Nord beach break and stays in Polynesia organized by her father Gary, a former snowboarder turned water coach. To build mental strength, the family analyzes each heat using the highlights of the week published by the federation.
A finely honed technique, boosted by deep rail work and surgical timing, worthy of emulation.
Teahupo’o: a performance lab for France’s new rising star
The Hava’e reef is more than just a postcard setting. Its thick lip, coral bottom just 50 cm below the surface, and mere 8-second breath force surfers to hold their breath. Tya finds it a natural playground for self-expression.
- Line reading: near “no-paddle” take-off positioning, inspired by the locals.
- Mental: risk management in the 2.5 m “west bowls,” thanks to the protocol implemented during the Adaptive Surfing & Elite Athletes.
- Equipment: FCS G-Rom fins, single-to-double concave to accelerate in the short tube.
| Variable | Value range | Tya’s setup |
|---|---|---|
| Period | 14–20 s | Prefers 16–18 s |
| Orientation | SW–W | W–SW 220° |
| Tide coefficient | 50–90 | 70–75 |
| Wind speed | 0–12 knots | < 8 knots |
The result: a tight bottom turn followed by a small pump to reset the shoulder, then a subtle claim, Polynesian style. Coaches emphasize the psychological impact: succeeding at Teahupo’o at such a young age reduces the pressure in future WSL events.
The French public already sees her as Vahine Fierro’s successor. The next step? A mixed podium finish at the French championships in Hossegor to confirm that talent can travel, but is always built on the sands of the Landes.
Quiver, sponsors, and network of expertise: behind the scenes of her rise
Behind every maneuver is an ecosystem. Tya’s quiver blends custom shapes Channel Islands Surfboards for beach breaks and a 5’10’’ gun Superbrand pintail for big Tahitian swells.
- Apparel: combined support from Roxy – Rip Curl, 3/2 eco-foam neoprene collection.
- Hardgoods: pads Oxbow, competition leash Quiksilver.
- Core partner: Vissla for travel boardshorts.
| Board type | Size | Volume | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| CI Fever | 5’4’’ | 22 L | Beach break ≤ 1.2 m |
| Superbrand PigDog | 5’10’’ | 25 L | Reef 1.5–3 m |
| CI Two Happy | 5’6’’ | 23 L | QS Contest |
Physical training is provided by the staff at the Surf & Rescue Center in Capbreton, while a logistical partnership with All-In ponchos Hossegor covers international travel.
These synergies reflect the evolution of the French model: the French surfing generation now has a staff worthy of the best Australian teams. The result is kids who are scoring CT heats before they even get to high school.
Why does Tya Zebrowski choose Teahupo’o to train despite her young age?
The Tahitian reef offers short but powerful barrels. By tackling them early on, she gains a huge confidence boost and develops the rail feel essential for the Championship Tour.
What role does the Hossegor Surf Club play in her progress?
The club provides supervised training sessions, video analysis, and priority access to national competitions, all key to gaining experience.
Which brands currently support the French-Tahitian surfer?
Roxy and Rip Curl provide wetsuits; Quiksilver supplies technical accessories; Vissla handles the lifestyle side; Channel Islands and Superbrand take care of her quiver.
How does her father, a former snowboarder, influence her preparation?
Gary Zebrowski has brought in mental preparation methods from freestyle snowboarding: visualization, risk management, and explosiveness—a combination perfectly suited to modern surfing.
What are her goals for the 2025–2026 season?
Secure her CT wildcard at the junior Triple Crown, stay in the European top five, and perhaps even aim for a first quarterfinal on the Championship Tour.
