Still unknown to the general public two seasons ago, Tya Zebrowski confirmed her status as a rising star by reaching the final of the 6th event of the Championship Tour in Saquarema. Under overcast skies and a playful onshore wind, the young goofy-footer mastered the heats through to the final, only losing to American Sawyer Lindblad in the closing moments.
A high-level final despite fickle conditions
Starting in the quarterfinals, the French surfer eliminated Carissa Moore with a frontside grab rail and layback off the lip, scoring an 8.67. In the semis, she outclassed Gabriela Bryan with a surgical rail-to-rail despite the backwash. In the final, a late set proved to be a spoiler: Lindblad unleashed a 9.10 air reverse, leaving Tya 0.57 points short 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 has nerves of steel and a technique forged in the powerful Landes beachbreaks. Her Australian coach emphasizes physical preparation, incorporating yoga and breath-holding. The result: a compressed, compact surfing style capable of scoring on unpredictable sections.
- Tactics: controlled priority and surgical wave selection.
- Variety: powerful backside turns and increasingly bigger airs.
- Preparation: early-morning sessions at La Gravière, reports checked on Hossegor surf report.
- Equipment: a shorter 5’6 » epoxy quiver for more pop.
- Mindset: visualization and breathing exercises to handle the pressure of a major competition.
Impact on French surfing and the local scene
The Saquarema podium finish 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 planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with Tya as the headliner. Meanwhile, Hossegor is working on a new competition hosting system for international events in order to capitalize on this enthusiasm.
For local lineups, the champion’s notoriety is shifting the spotlight to the beaches of Hossegor, Seignosse and Capbreton, already popular for their shifting sandbanks. The momentum is also giving a boost to the locally run young talent program, essential to sustaining France’s blue wave.
Looking ahead to the next stop and short-term goals
The U.S. summer leg is coming up fast. Huntington Beach and Lower Trestles require a different read of waves: fast walls, hollow ramps, a water skatepark atmosphere. Tya is already adjusting her boards, working on a more pronounced concave to free up the board on flat sections.
Observers are betting on another standout performance as early as the seventh stop. Whatever happens, the Frenchwoman is bringing a fresh style, reflecting the transformation underway in French surfing. The battle for the Rookie of the Year title is clearly underway.
How old is Tya Zebrowski really at the Saquarema final?
She celebrated her 15th birthday just 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 swells, 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 top-five world ranking, target the Rookie of the Year trophy, and gain experience on Hawaiian reef breaks before the end of the season.
How can you track changes in the Landes sandbanks where Tya trains?
The Hossegor surf-report website provides daily updates on swell, wind, and tides, ideal for spotting the best surf windows.