Soli Bailey had one dream growing up in Suffolk Park (near Byron Bay) \u2013 to ride swell in the most beautiful parts of the world with his surfing idols.<\/p>\n
Now 23, Soli is among the world top 34 and has made his mark on the World Surf League Championship Tour after competing in the Quiksilver Pro at the beginning of the month.<\/p>\n
He is the second ever Indigenous surfer to compete at a championship level full-time.<\/p>\n
\u201cQuiksilver Pro was really fun \u2013 pretty, I guess exciting, nerve-racking, first world tour event, ever, for me and of the year,\u201d he says smiling in the doorway of Torquay\u2019s Strapper store.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had lots of friends and family at home supporting me which was actually a little nerve-racking to have them all there and wanting to do my best and obviously do my best for myself as well. It was really cool, pretty special.\u201d<\/p>\n
Soli\u2019s infectious carefree attitude saw him do little to fight his nerves as he launched himself onto the world stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was pretty easy,\u201d he says before quickly pausing.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot easy \u2013 I shouldn\u2019t say that,\u201d he laughs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was, kind of, I guess, you know, years and years of hard work of competing and trying to draw upon that, you know, the resources of, you know, competing and all the nerves over years was like to me, the pinnacle for me, at that point. That\u2019s been the pinnacle of my career, having that first heat, that was my dream for 10-plus years and to paddle out there, it was kind of like, yeah, I was nervous, but it was an opportunity to conquer that dream and goal. I just tried to enjoy the moment and do the best I could.\u201d<\/p>\n
The laid-back surfer was\u00a0 defeated by Brazilian Filipe Toledo and placed 17th on the Gold Coast.<\/p>\n
Affectionately known for setting himself high standards, Soli says he didn\u2019t walk away with the milestone he was hoping to achieve, but his determination to be regarded among the elite remains irrepressible.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t get the result I wanted but I competed as well as I could have \u2013 that kept me in a pretty good place and I\u2019m happy and excited to be competing in this event (Rip Curl Pro Bells Bells)\u201d, he says.<\/p>\n
Soli\u2019s optimism about his chances at Bells stems from his love for the Victorian coastline. A \u201chot spot for surfing\u201d, the aspiring world champion says he has been visiting Torquay since he was 12.<\/p>\n
\u201cBells is a super special place for any surfer,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a huge connection with my Indigenous background, and I think it\u2019s super beautiful, a stunning coastline and there\u2019s so much history. The people down here, it makes me feel warm and at home and I\u2019ve had results in the past here.\u201d<\/p>\n
The results he modestly refers to include his Australian Indigenous Surfing Champion title at Bells Beach in 2015. Soli\u2019s major victory was in 2017 when he became the first Australian to win the Hawaiian Volcom Pipe.<\/p>\n
Soli is also the first professional surfer to wear the Aboriginal flag on his jersey.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo my friends, family and to the country, it\u2019s such a special and positive message,\u201d he says of his decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a proud Indigenous Australian competing in professional surfing and trying to represent Indigenous people and Australia in a healthy light is the most important thing. It\u2019s a great opportunity to be able to give back to the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
More from Soli<\/strong><\/p>\n Staring to surf<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cDad was a keen surfer. I was in the water before I even knew what water was.<\/p>\n \u201cI think when I was three-years-old, dad would get me in the shallows and run me alongside him on the board as if I was riding the wave. There are photos of me at four or five riding waves at The Pass (in Byron Bay) which is a renowned break for fun waves and learning to surf.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was sort of the beginning and then I think when I was nine that was when I competed in my first event.\u201d<\/p>\n