Record shattered in the Landes surf: at 14, Tya Zebrowski joins the Championship Tour and puts her name at the very top of the global wave scene.
Age record: how Tya Zebrowski earned her ticket to the elite
Saquarema, Brazil. First round of the Challenger Series. The Hossegor Surf Club member posts a solid heat, earns the necessary points, and secures her place in the top 7. Result: the youngest surfer—male or female—to join the CT.
Key figures from her Brazilian performance
| Indicator | Value | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Age at qualification | 14 years and 7 months | World Surf League |
| 2025 CS points accumulated | 38,540 | Official ranking |
| Average heat score at Saquarema | 13.67 | Judges Panel |
Daughter of former Olympic snowboarder Gary Zebrowski, the grom built her mental toughness riding backside in Tahiti’s bowls before mastering Hossegor’s lines. With this historic qualification, she beats the previous record held by Caroline Marks by nearly a year.
- A rapid move from juniors to the CS
- A symbolic victory at the Santocha spot during the Junior Pro Quiksilver
- Johanne Defay’s training partner during the off-season
The community is already placing bets on her future signature moves: a rail-game inspired by Lightning Bolt and carves worthy of a Vissla catalog Vissla.
Hossegor and the Landes: ideal breeding ground for shaping a champion
The Landes coastline continues to feed the top level. Tya joins a French contingent already represented by Johanne Defay and Vahine Fierro. The 2026 calendar will put these three names on everyone’s lips, just after the 2025 Rip Curl Final that energized the coast.
French women surfers competing on the 2026 CT
| Name | Origin | Best CT result |
|---|---|---|
| Tya Zebrowski | Hossegor, Landes | Expected debut |
| Johanne Defay | Réunion | 2nd – Trestles 2024 |
| Vahine Fierro | Huahine | 5th – Teahupoʻo 2025 |
After a few years of friction with the WSL, local authorities in the Landes have restarted the momentum. The championship in the Landes is sold out, while the next edition of the French Championships promises a media swell equivalent to the big winter swells.
- Sandbank reshaping through targeted dredging
- “Green Wave” program led by Picture Organic Clothing
- Creation of a High Performance training center managed by the Federation
Historic brands — Rip Curl, Billabong, Roxy, Oxbow, KanaBeach — are already banking on the Tya effect to boost the local economy, while Hoaz fine-tunes a “next-gen” capsule collection for teens who charge La Gravière.
Gear, sponsors, and training routine: the recipe for a supersonic rise
Tya’s quiver looks like a lineup of boards custom-shaped by the best shapers in the northern Basque Country. Generous volume up front for lightning-fast takeoffs, a sharp tail in the style of Channel Islands, all glassed with bio-based resin.
2025 / 2026 Quiver
| Type | Dimensions | Target conditions |
|---|---|---|
| “Blade” Shortboard | 5’6” x 18 ¼ x 2 ¼ | Powerful beachbreak, Hossegor |
| “Cannon” Step-Up | 5’10” x 18 ⅜ x 2 ⅜ | Reef break > 6 ft |
| “Retro-Twin” Fish | 5’4” x 19 ½ x 2 ½ | Fun summer sessions |
Her training program, inspired by the connection between Hossegor and Tahiti, alternates between:
- Endurance paddling on Hossegor’s Marine Lake
- “Surf-style” skateboarding sessions in the Capbreton bowl
- ISG-specific physical training + yoga, sponsored by Vissla
- Distance learning supervised by Pôle France
A small but highly skilled staff: a technical coach certified by Hossegor Surf Club, a former Navy mental performance coach, and a physiotherapist specializing in shoulder injuries.
- Light brace to prevent tendinitis
- Daily video analysis thanks to the Best Surf Moments
- “Plant Power” nutrition plan approved by WADA
With such an arsenal, the rookie is already eyeing a wild backside maneuver at the opening Snapper Rocks event. Insiders are wondering: how far will the young Landes surfer push the limits?
Why is Tya Zebrowski’s qualification historic?
No other male or female surfer had joined the Championship Tour at just 14 years old. She breaks the previous record for youngest competitor, doing so in her very first full season on the Challenger Series.
What are Tya’s next steps in 2026?
She will compete in every CT event, likely starting at Snapper Rocks, and will benefit from enhanced support from the federation as well as from her major sponsors, Rip Curl and Billabong.
What impact will this have on French surfing?
Her presence on the Tour raises the profile of French surf spots, motivates young groms, and attracts additional investment in infrastructure in Hossegor and Capbreton.
Who are her main sponsors?
Rip Curl for wetsuits, Billabong for boardshorts, Roxy for accessories, KanaBeach and Oxbow for lifestyle, Vissla for technical performance, Picture Organic Clothing for its eco-conscious focus, and Hoaz for its streetwear collection.
How can you follow her performances live?
The WSL broadcasts every event, and the Hossegor Surf Club offers live coverage on its social media, along with recaps via the Surf-Hossegor portal.
