Hometown hero fired up for 2024 Championship Tour

JAN JUC surfer India Robinson has her sights firmly set on the World Surf League’s (WSL) final five in 2024 when she makes her return to the Championship Tour (CT).

The 23-year-old officially requalified for the CT last month after finishing atop the 2023 WSL Challenger Series rankings.

Robinson has had to overcome a series of hurdle to get back on the world tour, including a long battle with concussion, which put a huge dent in her rookie season in 2022.

She said it had been a “pretty tough road” to get back to this point, but “incredibly worth it.”

“This year itself started off rough for me, as I was recovering from my series of head injuries, I sustained in 2022.

“I dedicated months of not competing to focus on my recovery so I could start 2023 strong.

“Two weeks before the first event at Snapper Rocks in Queensland, I was hit in the head by a recreational surfer’s board.

“I instantly knew what had happened and was just shattered because I was in a position where my head was potentially going to stop me from competing.

“Lucky enough, I had so much support this time, and was able to find a way to compete safely without putting myself further back with the injury.

“I went on to win the event and it just felt like all the hard work and all the hard times I went through were worth it.

“It really got the ball rolling.”

After her win at Snapper Rocks, Robinson scored a third place at the GWM Sydney Surf Pro, another third in the EDP Vissla Ericeira Pro in Portugal, and a fifth in Brazil.

“It’s been a very busy few weeks since getting home, that’s for sure,” Robinson said.

“It still feels a little bit surreal when people congratulate me!

“I’m enjoying every bit of being home back with friends and family celebrating the year I’ve had.”

Robinson said the community on the Surf Coast had been integral in supporting her throughout her 2023 campaign.

“Being raised in Victoria and surrounded by so many amazing waves and surfers really pushed me to get to this level.

“It’s honestly taken a village of support!

“Adam Robertson has been in my corner for over 10 years now, so having him support me through the ups and downs was crucial.

“Surfing Australia and the team there have also really helped me through some tough moments.

“I’m just so very grateful to have such an amazing support system”.

Robinson’s first stop on the 2024 CT will be at Hawaii’s Pipeline on January 29, 2024.

A few months later, in March, she will return home to Bells Beach with the goal of “ringing the bell in front of all her friends and family”.