Although Tyler Wright is only 17, her achievements as a surfer are extensive. Wright just kicked off her second year on the ASP Women's World Tour and we caught up with her to see where her head is at. Photo: Kirstin
Tyler Wright is an amazing surfer. She has all the style and power of a seasoned water woman. Although Tyler is only 17, her achievements are extensive. Last year was her first year on the ASP Women’s World Tour and she earned 4th place and rookie of the year for her efforts. This year, she kicked things off with a third place finish at the Roxy Pro.
Tyler is also a regular out at Lennox Head, and her surfing is on par with the newest crop of up and coming professional males. With a down-to-earth nature and a pure love of surfing, I get the feeling that Tyler would surf all day every day regardless of competitions and World Tours. I was fortunate to recently catch up with Tyler on a beautiful summer day on the front porch of the Wright family home in Northern NSW for a quick chat.
You come from a large surfing family. Are you guys competitive in the water?
There are actually five of us! The eldest is Tim and then Owen my older sister Kirby and my younger brother. We surf together most of the time when were all around, there is always a little rivalry with who got the best wave. It’s a healthy and fun brother and sister rivalry that you see going on in every family.
It must be great having the support of a family that truly understands what your dreams and aspirations are?
Yeah, definitely, it’s been a great help! They are always offering little coaching tips and they really know what they’re talking about, it’s definitely a plus.
You are originally from the NSW South Coast. Do you feel that the powerful South Coast waves have in some way shaped your style?
We are originally from a quiet little surfing town called Culburra Beach. There’s not a lot to it, but it was perfect for us growing up with plenty of great waves around that area. In the vicinity of Culburra Beach there are plenty of heavy waves and I think growing up there and being exposed to heavy situations has definitely helped my surfing.
Congrats on winning the 2011 ASP Women’s World Tour Rookie of the Year Award and finishing a season-end 4th among the ASP Top 17. What’s your goal for this season?
Definitely to improve on that for sure. Everyone that’s on the tour is aiming for that number one spot and I am definitely aiming for the number one spot to bring the title home to Australia for sure!
There is an amazing depth of talent within the top 17, but looking at last year’s results on paper, it appears that anyone within the top six could easily contend for the title. Who do you think is your main threat this year?
Obviously Carissa and Sally. I know I wasn’t anywhere near striking range last year. Carissa made 6 out of 7 finals and I think Sally made 3 out of 7 finals or something like that as well. For me there is definitely room for improvement, but those girls are taking the sport to new levels.
I noticed that the New Zealand stop on the Women’s World Tour Schedule was marked down as tentative. It would have been a shame to lose an event – let alone one that is held in such an amazing surf rich country such as NZ. What would you suggest that the average fan of yours and of Women’s surfing do to ensure that events such as these don’t go by the wayside?
I don’t really know what was going on with that event, and it’s hard because you just have to prepare for it and you might be going over for it and you might not.
I have only been to Taranaki once, and the wind was like 140 km per hour, and you could stand on a 45-degree angle to the ground into the wind. I haven’t had great surf there but I have only been to Taranaki once. It would have been a shame to lose that event as I can see the surf potential in the region!
I’m only really new to the Tour, and the girls who have been on there for a few years could probably go into more detail about how to get involved, but I think if you just get online and watch your favorite girls compete and just be stoked on surfing. For me its all about inspiring young girls to get out there and go surfing, if you’re inspired, go surfing and enjoy yourself!
