Five Minutes with World Surfing Champion Tyler Wright
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Last Thursday, Tyler Wright claimed her maiden world surfing title at just 22.
It’s an incredible achievement on what has been a golden year for the young Aussie, with an impressive total of four wins.
In the face of what could be overwhelming success, Tyler has remained composed and refreshingly down to earth. While she may travel the world chasing her dreams, she’s a Shoalhaven girl at heart, having grown up in Culburra. Before jetting off to surf the globe and claim her world surfing title, we caught up with Tyler to find out what she loves most about her hometown.
Tyler, what’s it like to be home at the moment?
It’s been amazing, honestly, I’m so relaxed right now. It’s just so beautiful.
It’s been so sunny, just incredible winter days – 27 degrees with minimal wind, it’s actually been incredible. I’ve just hanging out with friends and family where I grew up.
What was it like growing up in that part of the world?
Growing up in Culburra and Coorong has been absolutely amazing, I think I’ve been so spoilt. Honestly, I’ve seen a lot of the world and for me, it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to, and I get to call it home. It’s funny because even as kids, growing up we never really needed to go anywhere, we grew up in the best place to see everything. All year round we had things to do and waves to surf, and cool things to do and be outdoors having fun.
What are your favourite spots to surf around the Shoalhaven region?
Where I grew up, Culburra beach, it’s a simple wave [beach]. It’s a beach break and at both ends of it there’s a wave called Crookhaven Heads, and at the other end there’s a good one for surf waves, and in the middle there’s little peaks here and there…it’s super untouched and super beautiful, it makes me feel really lucky.
When you’re not surfing, what are your favourite things to do around your home town?
Huskisson is really beautiful, just to go down and have lunch there. I’ve done that a few times, some of the restaurants there are incredible, you also get to look out over the harbour and you can walk around down to the boat ramp, there’s a little ramp that all the kids jump off into this little creek where it’s all beautiful colours. It’s the best cross between a country and coastal town.
You’ve been involved with Rip Curl’s The Surf with people like Alana Blanchard and Nikki Van Dijk, it seems like you’ve met some amazing people through surfing. What’s that been like?
That’s the thing about surfing. Where I grew up, surfing was just the thing to do. 15-20 kids in our street all surfed and that’s how we all became friends and we just hung out every day. It’s taken me all over the world now [and] I get to meet people on tour which is incredible.
I’ve always believed surfing is a really good sport for any kid growing up – you’re so out there in Mother Nature and away from everything else, it’s such a peaceful and relaxing sport to do no matter what level you are. I’m always so appreciative of that and that I get to share it with people all around the world and even my hometown.
With your training, do you do any kind of training outside of surfing?
I train in the gym, which is cool. It’s always a really fun setting, it’s always been really fun and enjoyable. I’ve never been one of those people to say ‘ugh I’ve got to go to the gym’. I like to train outdoors as well, I’ve got a pushbike, and you go to the beach and there’s sand and all sorts of creative ways you can get fit and get specifically fit for surfing as well.
What’s on the agenda for you for the rest of the year?
I have four comps left and then a break. I go to America and then Europe, and then I finish up in Hawaii and then I’m on holidays which is really exciting. I’m so lucky where I grew up because when I want to have a holiday, I just come home. Some of the places down there are just so beautiful, we can always get in the car and go find somewhere new.
I’ve lived there my whole life and I continue to find new beautiful places, which is so incredible. It’s so untouched, I’ve been to places that are very developed, where the beaches are so busy but I’m always lucky to go home where it’s very mellow, calm, untouched and pure to mother nature. It’s just beautiful.
To read more of Tyler’s tips on surfing the Shoalhaven, grab yourself a copy of the Surfing the Shoalhaven guide. We’ll be making the trip this weekend to explore the beautiful Shoalhaven, so keep your eye out for our guide on where to go to make the most of this stunning piece of Australia.
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