On May 5, Lucy Darragh won the Junior Girls Division of the debut Ocean Queen Classic at Woonona Beach.
"It felt amazing to win such a great comp," Lucy said. "It was an all-girls event and had so much encouragement and support for junior girls. I was so happy to be apart of it."
The 13-year-old athlete is in her second year at Illawarra Academy of Sport (IAS). She has a home-grown passion for the sport and big dreams of conquering waves on a global scale to clinch a World Tour title.
“When I was about seven, I competed in nippers for Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club, played League Tag for the Gerringong Lions, competed in swimming and cross country,” Lucy said.
“I enjoyed playing all sports.”
But her favourite sport runs in the family.
“When I was younger, my dad and sister always had a passion for surfing and I wanted to try it out,” Lucy said. “I have always loved surfing and have been very passionate about it.”
Competition intensified Lucy's love of surfing and she hopes to turn it into her career.
“It takes a lot of hard work, drive, passion and commitment,” Lucy said. “Long training days on the beach and in the gym, surfing as much as I can and whenever I can.
“Surfing in all conditions, no matter what the size, wind, or swell.”
The IAS was a perfect landing spot for Lucy, who wanted to hone her talents and improve her skill-sets.
“My strength coaches Alana and Emily from the IAS have helped me a lot with my gym training and technique, which helps my surfing a lot,” she said.
Lucy trains five days a week to improve her skills. She also tries fit in two extra hours of surfing before and after school during the week. When she can't surf, she skates to practise tricks and manoeuvres she can translate to the ocean.
Like many young athletes, Lucy's goal is to represent her country.
“My dream is to qualify and compete in the World Tour at some stage and win a world title,” she said.
“I would love to qualify for the Olympics and represent Australia.
“Having surfing as a career when I’m older, travelling the world and competing against the world's best quickly became my dream.”
Lucy's surfing journey is studded with triumphs, including victories at WA's most prestigious junior surfing event, Taj's Small Fries in Yallingup, and the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final at URBNSURF, a surf park in Melbourne. She clinched her third consecutive state title last year and is eyeing a fourth. However, her proudest achievement was when she received a sponsor at age 12.
“One of my favourite achievements was getting sponsored by Rip Curl on my 12th birthday!” Lucy said.
“It was my dream sponsor and I’m still so happy to be a team rider.”
Lucy’s main goal for 2024 is to qualify for the International Surfing Association (ISA) junior worlds.
“I can achieve this by winning the overall rankings at the end of the year, or winning Aussie Titles for the under 16 girls,” Lucy said.
“I will need to go to as many 10,000-point events that I can and try my hardest to get a good result which will improve my place on the rankings.”
Despite how serious her career is becoming at such a young age, it's her deep love of surfing that continues to drive her.
“Surfing is also lots of fun, and this is the main reason I surf!” Lucy said.
“Having fun and enjoying the sport you do is the most important thing.”
