Still unknown to the general public two seasons ago, Tya Zebrowski has confirmed her status as a rising star by reaching the final of the 6th stop of the Championship Tour in Saquarema. Under cloudy skies and a tricky onshore wind, the young goofy-footer tamed the waves until the final heat, only giving way to American Sawyer Lindblad in the closing moments.
A high-flying final despite temperamental conditions
From the quarterfinals onward, the Frenchwoman eliminated Carissa Moore with a frontside grab rail and layback off the lip, scoring 8.67. In the semifinals, she outclassed Gabriela Bryan with a surgical rail-to-rail despite the backwash. In the final, a late set played spoiler: Lindblad unleashed a 9.10 air reverse, leaving Tya 0.57 point shy of the title. The red-hot Brazilian crowd applauded the performance of the two rookies, a symbol of a sharp new generation in the nautical sports most publicized sport on the planet.
Key heats and scores
| Round | Opponent | Tya’s score | Opponent’s score | Decisive maneuver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterfinals | Carissa Moore | 15.34 | 14.20 | Grab rail carve 8.67 |
| Semifinal | Gabriela Bryan | 14.78 | 13.65 | Vertical snap 7.83 |
| Final | Sawyer Lindblad | 12.90 | 13.47 | Air reverse 9.10 |
The keys to the French prodigy’s meteoric rise
At just 15, Tya displays an ironclad mindset and technique forged in the powerful Landes beach breaks. Her Australian coach emphasizes physical preparation, incorporating yoga and breath-holding. The result: compressed, compact surfing, capable of scoring unpredictable sections.
- Tactics: well-managed priority and surgical wave selection.
- Variety: powerful backside turns and increasingly bigger airs.
- Preparation: early-morning sessions at La Gravière, reports checked on Surf Report Hossegor.
- Equipment: a shortened 5’6’’ epoxy quiver for more pop.
- Mindset: visualization and breathing exercises to handle the pressure of a big competition.
Impact on French surfing and the local scene
The Saquarema podium is fueling the momentum of young French surfers. Clubs in the Landes are seeing an influx of members, drawn by their idol’s meteoric rise. The French national training center is already looking ahead to Olympic preparation for Los Angeles 2028, with Tya as its headliner. Meanwhile, Hossegor is working on a new competition hosting system for international events to capitalize on this enthusiasm.
For local lineups, the champion’s fame is shifting the spotlight toward the beaches of Hossegor, Seignosse and Capbreton, already prized for their shifting sandbanks. This momentum is also giving a boost to the young talent program run locally, which is essential to sustaining the French blue wave.
Looking ahead to the next stop and short-term goals
The American summer series is fast approaching. Huntington Beach and Lower Trestles demand a different reading of waves waves: fast walls, hollow ramps, an aquatic skatepark atmosphere. Tya is already adjusting her boards, working on a more pronounced concave to free up the board on flatter sections.
Observers are betting on another standout performance as early as the 7th stop. Whatever happens, the Frenchwoman is bringing a fresh style, a reflection of the transformation underway in French surfing. The battle for the Rookie of the Year title is clearly underway.
How old is Tya Zebrowski really in the Saquarema final?
She had just celebrated her 15th birthday a few weeks before the 6th stop, making her the youngest French finalist on the Championship Tour.
Why is the Saquarema spot so demanding?
The Brazilian beach break combines long-period South Atlantic swell, backwash from the rocks, and a powerful lateral current; a cocktail that forces surfers to readjust every line.
What are the surfer’s next goals?
Secure a world top 5 finish, target the Rookie of the Year trophy, and gain experience on Hawaiian reef breaks before the end of the season.
How can you follow changes in the Landes sandbars where Tya trains?
The Surf Report Hossegor website provides daily updates on swell, wind, and tides, ideal for spotting the best surf windows.
