WA’s 13-year-old surfer Willow Hardy makes waves, attracting sponsorship deals and attention from world’s best

At just 13-years-old, WA surfer Willow Hardy is making waves in the sport internationally, attracting a Rip Curl sponsorship deal and attention from the world’s top boardriders. The Margaret River grommet has received international acclaim since catching her first wave at three-years-old and is already leading State women's competitions. Like many young WA athletes, Willow’s career and dream of competing internationally has been set back amid the coronavirus crisis. Edging into the next competition age group, Willow said having a strong 2020 was crucial to getting a frontfoot on her older national and international competitors. “I am the oldest in my age division, which is under 14, so I was going to try and go over that and try for some of the bigger more well-known competitions this year,” she said. “It’s a bit of a shame that I haven't been able to go over east to do some of those competitions because next year I'll be one of the youngest in the oldest divisions so I probably won't have a chance.” A video of the young gun tackling a mammoth wave with ease has been shared around the globe, with world number one Carissa Moore was just one of the many to support the teenager’s talent. “I was lucky enough to meet Carissa. I normally meet them at The Margaret River Pro and spend quite a bit of time out in the water with them,” she said. “Especially, with the new World Surf League (WSL) program Rising Tides which encourages young girls. (We) get to go surf with all the girls on tour and they really show an interest in you.” “I’ve got so many nice messages. It was so motivating to hear and read them all. “It was the biggest wave I’ve ever caught in my life and it was a relief to make the drop. “For the first couple of hours I felt like I was watching a surf movie, every set had people absolutely charging, making huge barrels or getting totally destroyed.” “After getting a few smaller ones and just making it over some mountains, I paddled for a few bigger ones that I couldn’t catch and even went over the falls on one trying to pull back, but finally I scratched onto a solid one.” Surfing is in Willow’s bloodline, with her Australian Champion grandfather Tony Hardy known as pioneer for the sport WA’s South West during the 1970s. Her father Gene, who is managing director of Cape to Cape Explorer Tours, represented the State in surfing along with uncles Brett and Josh. Her other uncle Ryan is one of Australia's best ever bodyboarders. The first wave she rode in was on a board crafted by Tony and was remembered fondly by her father who helped push her out. “It was so cool. It was on a board that my dad shaped,” he said. “Her little sister was on the beach cheering and she rode it right in standing up. Sunny, my wife and Willows mum, was on the beach and she just happened to get a photo. “When I'm watching Willow and Olive surf it's just the best. “They're getting better than me, which is just the best thing ever. I'm like ‘damn they're better than me at that’ - that feels so rewarding.” The dad and daughter duo have just returned from a trip up, where they both competed at Geraldton’s Sunshine Surf Masters, WA’s longest running surfing competition. It was the first time Willow has played coach for her dad. “Sharing the experience is the best thing ever. Willow was my coach so she got to feel some of my pain,” Mr Hardy laughed. “I got an interference in the finals so I totally blew it. Coach was cross at me.” Willow said her idol is second-generation pro and Gracetown local Bronte Macaulay. The world number 12’s father Dave Macaulay toured in the 80s and early 90s and claimed third in the world twice in his career. “Bronte is amazing because she's local, so I really got to know her,” Willow said. “This year, she obviously hasn’t been able to travel to compete internationally. “She's just so nice and always helping you get waves and reassuring you when it's big and pushing my little sister on to them. and just being around nice.” Willow was ranked 266 in the 2019 Women’s Qualifying Series in the World Surf League. On top of the Rip Curl sponsorship, Willow is backed by Australian chain of fast-food restaurant Mad Mex Fresh Mexican Grill and Yallingup surf brand Salt Merchant.