SCHOOL IS OUT
STARLET TREADING STEPH’S PATH
IS Zahli Kelly the next Stephanie Gilmore?
The rising star from Cabarita Boardriders who learnt how to surf on the Sunshine Coast is mature beyond her years.
At 15 years of age and halfway through Year 10, the “pocket rocket” natural footer is rated No.3 on the World Surf League women’s World Qualifying Series (WQS). Kelly is on a massive mission to prove herself internationally by taking on the world and consolidating her early jump on the ratings.
The top six WQS competitors will qualify for next year’s women’s world tour.
If Kelly accomplishes this feat she will be in the same category as seven-times world champion Gilmore and three-times champ Carissa Moore, of Hawaii.
Her next big test will be the QS3000 Open and Pro Junior, which is due to start tomorrow in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
She will then head home for a bit of snowboarding at Perisher in NSW.
Then it’s on to the US for the QS6000 Oceanside and the QS10,000 Open and Pro Junior at Huntington in July.
These open QS events will be vital to keep her world qualifying hopes alive.
Kelly will be back home for five days before taking off again to France in August for the QS1500 at Lacanau and QS1500 at Anglet. She won both these events last year and is keen to defend the titles.
She also has a big commitment in Spain for a QS10,000 event before returning home in September just in time for her 16th birthday.
It will be a big celebration in Cabarita if she achieves her objective of qualifying for the world tour.
Kelly is the baby of her family, the youngest of five kids. Older brother Liam, who taught her how to surf with brother Ethan, is now her coach and he travels to all the events.
While South Africa is a new destination, Kelly is well travelled having been to Indonesia, Hawaii, Taiwan, NZ, Japan, California, Mexico, Florida, France, and Spain.
“Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch was the best trip,” she said. “Surfing (the pool) for three days with only eight other surfers was a bit unbelievable but definitely amazing.”
Kelly balances her school duties and hectic travel and competition schedule by studying distance education.
“I have teachers contact me through email, Skype and phone calls if I need any support,” she said.
Her weirdest experience was when flying solo from Los Angeles to Brisbane at 13.
“The lady next to me waited until I was asleep and then stole my chocolates off my tray,” she said