Record shattered in the Landes foam: at 14, Tya Zebrowski joins the Championship Tour and puts her name at the very top of the global surf scene.
A record for youth: how Tya Zebrowski secured 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. The 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 |
| Total 2025 CS points | 38,540 | Official ranking |
| Average heat score in Saquarema | 13.67 | Judges Panel |
Daughter of former Olympic snowboarder Gary Zebrowski, the grom built her mental strength riding backside in Tahiti’s bowls before mastering Hossegor’s lines. According to the historic qualification, she beats the previous record held by Caroline Marks by nearly a year.
- Fast track from juniors to the CS
- A symbolic win at the Santocha spot during the Junior Pro Quiksilver
- Johanne Defay’s training partner during the off-season
The community is already betting on her future signature moves: a rail-game inspired by Lightning Bolt and carves worthy of a Vissla.
Hossegor and the Landes: an ideal breeding ground for forging a champion
The Landes coast continues to fuel elite surfing. 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 woke up the coast.
French surfers competing on the 2026 CT
| Name | Origin | Best CT result |
|---|---|---|
| Tya Zebrowski | Hossegor, Landes | Debut expected |
| 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 sets.
- 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 is fine-tuning a “next-gen” capsule collection for teens charging La Gravière.
Gear, sponsors, and training routine: the recipe for a supersonic rise
Tya’s quiver looks like a lineup of boards customized by the best shapers in the northern Basque Country. Generous volume up front for lightning-fast takeoffs, a razor-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 link 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
- Remote schooling overseen by Pôle France
A small but highly skilled staff: a Hossegor Surf Club certified technical coach, a former sailor serving as mental coach, and a physical therapist 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 aiming for a wild backside maneuver at the opening Snapper Rocks event. Insiders are wondering: how far will the young Landes native push the limits?
Why is Tya Zebrowski’s qualification historic?
No other surfer, male or female, had made it onto the Championship Tour at just 14. She breaks the previous record for youngest qualification, 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 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, inspires 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-friendly focus, and Hoaz for its street collection.
How can you follow her performances live?
The WSL broadcasts every event, and the Hossegor Surf Club provides live coverage on its social media channels, as well as recaps through the Surf-Hossegor portal.