COCOA BEACH – Rising Barbadian surfer Chelsea Tuach created waves in Florida last weekend, reaching the pro women’s final.
After looking at the amateur entries for the 25th annual National Kidney Foundation Labour Day Surfing Festival on Friday night, Tuach wasn’t satisfied.
“I saw there was some really good girls in the pro contest, so I wanted to challenge them,” she said in an interview with The Associated Press.
The 14-year-old Caribbean champion, who stands just 5-feet-3 inches tall and weighs a mere 93 pounds, was due to contest yesterday’s final of the Angel Eyewear Women’s Pro contest.
She was to face off against Team USA surfers and South Brevard residents Jasset Umbel and Nikki Viesins, along with Leah Dawson, who grew up in Melbourne Beach but polished her skills in Hawaii and California.
It is Tuach’s second visit to the Space Coast and she said she was very impressed not only by Sunday’s two-foot waves, but also by surfers and spectators.
“The people are awesome here,” she said.
Growing up in Barbados, Tuach is accustomed to eight-to-ten-foot waves at the “Soup Bowl”.
“That’s one of (world champion) Kelly Slater’s favourite places to surf when he comes there,” Tuach said.
Already sponsored by Roxy clothing, Tuach has emerged quickly in the sport with the help of Zed Layson, one of the top local surfers on her island.
Tuach is one of nine surfers who made the flight from Barbados to Miami and the drive up the coast.
“We’re doing well,” she said. (AP/EZS)
