Rookie of the year Gabriela Bryan at the ISAs in Huntington Beach. Photo: ISA/Pablo Jimenez
Heading into your rookie season on the Championship Tour is intimidating, obviously. Heading into your rookie season with the introduction of the mid-year cut and no time to find your footing is a whole different ball game. Born and raised on Kauai’s north shore, surfing has been part of Gabriela Bryan’s life since she was a toddler. By the time she was 15, Bryan knew she wanted to pursue a career as a professional surfer. This year, Bryan’s dreams came to fruition and she surfed on the CT for the first time. Due to her incredible performance, she was awarded ‘rookie of the year’ by the WSL. Here, Bryan shares the biggest challenges she faced during her rookie season, the lessons learned, and offers advice to next year’s rookie class.
What was the feeling when you officially qualified for the CT?
That I accomplished one of my dreams, something that I worked really hard towards. It was super special, especially because it was a dream and accomplishment for a lot of people.
What were your thoughts about the new mid-year cut?
There’s so much natural talent out there and top ten is something that’s really hard to accomplish. I think it pushes us all to surf even better — it drives me to not take anything lightly because my job is on the line. With the mid-year cut in place it didn’t really give us rookies a chance to find our footing; we were full force from the beginning. There was no easing into it, it was just all in or you’re out.
You were the only rookie to make the cut. Was that a good feeling?
Yeah, making the cut was really exciting. It was a big relief because the whole back half of the year I didn’t have the pressure of losing my spot; I could just surf freely. It almost felt like I qualified again for the CT because I then knew I was solidified for the first half of the year. It was super exciting.
Is there a particular event that you’re most proud of?
I think I had some great performances this year. I was really happy with my performance at Sunset; it’s somewhere that I really love. I got third there and that was my first semifinal — it was special to be in Hawaii and get a good result. I was also proud of my performance in Margaret River, especially because there was so much pressure with the cut. I had to make the final in order to stay on tour and I did that, so I was proud of how I kept my composure. I had a goal and I did everything I could to achieve that goal.
What can you say about the group of women on tour?
The level on the CT is insane. No one takes anything lightly; there’s nothing easy about it. I learned so much in my first year. Also, the other girls that were rookies this year are all insanely talented and they all pushed me. We’re all going to continue to push each other because women’s surfing is getting better and better.
What did you learn from your rookie season?
I learned a lot. I learned that the tour is gnarly and there’s a lot of traveling — that was surprising to me. I didn’t spend much time at home, so I learned how to be on the road for most of the year. Every single girl on tour is fierce and everyone wants the same thing and that’s to win, so I learned not to take anything lightly and just do the best I can. As long as I do the best I can, work the hardest I can, and know that I’ve done everything to be the best competitor that I can be, then I am happy with my results.
What advice would you offer to someone heading into their rookie year?
I would say just to enjoy every moment. It’s super special to be surrounded by some of the best surfers in the world. Learn as much as you can. There’s so much inspiration around you when you’re a part of the CT, so I would say just soak up every moment of it and do your best to show the world what you’ve got.
How do you feel like growing up surfing in Hawaii helped set you up for success as a surfer?
I wouldn’t change anything about growing up in Hawaii. The power that Hawaii’s oceans have has a lot to do with my style — I love power surfing. There are all kinds of waves and it’s a very powerful ocean, so growing up in Hawaii has definitely helped me become the surfer that I am today.
What are your goals for next season? Long term?
I really want to make the final five next season. I want to win an event, that’s something that I’m working really hard towards. The Olympics is one of my goals for next year. It would be a dream come true to be in the Olympics and it would be an honor to represent the United States as well as Hawaii on the biggest stage in sports. And obviously a world title is always a goal, that’s what everyone’s there for, and it’s something that I have my eyes set on. I’m always striving for the best and that’s a world title, so I’m going to do everything I can to achieve my goal.
What was it like being awarded rookie of the year?
That was one of my biggest goals this last year. Especially because the rookie class this year was so talented — every single one of the girls that was a rookie deserves to be on tour. They all push me and I would not be the surfer I am without them. I grew up competing against my fellow rookies. It was super special because there was so much pressure this year with the cut and everything. I’m happy that I got to achieve that.
