Harrison makes Aussie team for ISA world titles

BARWON Heads surfer Ellie Harrison has achieved her greatest professional feat to date, named as one of Australia’s representatives in the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games at El Salvador next week.

The 18-year-old will join Australian great Sally Fitzgibbons, Championship Tour competitor Sophie McCulloch, former world number one Jack Robinson, 2023 Rip Curl Pro champion Ethan Ewing and Liam O’Brien in the Irukandjis squad at the event, to held Surf City from Tuesday, May 30 to June 7

Harrison, the 2022-23 Australia Oceania Pro Junior champion, said Wednesday night’s announcement was unexpected.

“It was definitely a huge surprise and I’m so excited to get an opportunity to go travel with Sally (Fitzgibbons), Ethan (Ewing), Lobby (Liam O’Brien, Sophie (McCulloch) and the rest of the Australian team for this event.

“Surfing and being at the same contest as world champions like Carissa Moore and John John Florence is going to be such an amazing experience and I’m just so stoked.

“It’s been a crazy experience and it still feels incredibly surreal.”

El Salvador will mark the third time Harrison has donned the green and gold for Australia, and caps off a huge past 12 months for the Barwon Heads youngster, who also won a spot on the WSL Challenger Series this year.

The world tier event will mark the third time Harrison has worn the green and gold for Australia. Photo: ANDREW SHIELD/WORLD SURF LEAGUE

Harrison said she would take plenty of confidence into the lineup in El Salvador having travelled to the surf break for the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship last year.

“I definitely take a bit of confidence going into the event having been there before, particularly with travelling alone.

“I feel comfortable with the waves and the area, and I feel I can really learn from what I did last time and take it all into this trip to make sure I have the best experience possible.

“I absolutely love El Salvador and can’t wait to go back.”

Action at the ISA World Surfing Games in El Salvador will kick off on Tuesday.

For more, head to isasurf.org/event/2023-surf-city-el-salvador-isa-world-surfing-games/