Riv on the Record: Xavier Huxtable (professional surfer)

This week I had the great pleasure of chatting with Jan Juc local and professional surfer Xavier Huxtable. Spin it!

Tell us how you got into surfing; where did it all start for you?

It all started when I was about seven and I would go down to the beach with Dad and he started pushing me in at Torquay Front Beach and Back Beach.

I loved it from the start and just kept on pursuing it. I got into it with Cole Fox and from then on, most days we would run down and surf Jan Juc after school.

When did you realise you might be good enough to start competing?

I started down at Torquay Boardriders and found a real love for competing.

From there I went into the Wahu Grom Comps and Victorian State Titles and then progressed into the Occy Grom Comps and Skullcandy ones up the NSW and QLD coast. These comps were such a great stepping stone and really taught me how to compete.

You were a star junior and have become a very high achieving open surfer, what’s been your greatest achievement to date?

It’s been such an awesome run, and I’m so grateful to be able to have experienced what I have from surfing.

I’d have to say the two Rip Curl Pro’s would have to be my favourite. Coming into the support of all my best mates and family on the beach screaming will forever be etched in my mind as one of my favourite moments ever.

You’ve had the experience of surfing in the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach on three occasions. What was that like and what goes into preparing yourself for that?

It’s such a surreal experience getting to compete in the Rip Curl Pro.

Growing up watching all your idols compete in it – you’re always just hoping one day you get to do it and then bang it happened!

You learn so much in such a short time surfing in that event and competing against the best in the world.

They’re so professional and it’s so amazing to be able to take in what they do and try replicate in my own preparation and competition surfing.

This past year you knocked off the world number one Italo Ferreira. Take us through that heat?

That was a crazy experience! We had a few lay days leading up to that and I remember being a bit nervous, but at the same time I knew I had nothing to lose.

I remember speaking to Cahill Bell-Warren, my coach, beforehand and we pretty much just went, ‘Leave it all out there and go as hard as you can’. Luckily paid off.

I just remember finishing those waves and hearing the grandstands and beach roar and it’s something that I will remember and cherish forever.

What do you like to do out of the water?

Outside of surfing I love my football. I grew playing that before I started surfing and was still playing up until last year.

I was lucky enough to play in a flag last year with all my best mates down at Lorne Football Club, which was super special. I also love to play some cricket when I can and snowboard.

What’s good about where we live?

We have such an amazing coastline where we live with so many waves and options.

It’s super consistent as well which allows for all levels of surfers to surf and waves. Whilst it does get a bit cold, it’s worth every bit for the waves we get.