Tweed surf star to represent Australia on the world stage

FINGAL Head surfer Dane Henry has been selected to represent Australia at the ISA World Surfing Games in El Salvador, a key pathway to Olympic qualification.

Henry, 18, won the ISA junior world championship last year and earned his place in the open team through consistent results across the Qualifying Series and Pro Junior ranks.

He is one of five surfers in the squad, which includes Evans Head surfer Callum Robson, Milla Brown, Morgan Cibilic, Ellie Harrison and world tour veteran Sally Fitzgibbons.

“It’s pretty surreal to go from winning the ISA Junior World Title straight into the open team,” Henry said.

“Last year, our junior team had one of its best runs ever, finishing with gold, and to captain that team was incredible. I’m keen to get back into that team mindset, while stepping up my surfing at the same time.

“I’m excited to go in with no pressure and test myself against the older guys. La Bocana is such a high-performance wave, and I can’t wait to show my full repertoire and everything I’ve been working on.”

 

The games will be held at La Bocana and El Sunzal, two world-class breaks on El Salvador’s coastline, and will feature surfers from more than 50 nations competing for individual titles and national team honours.

Since 2022, the ISA Worlds have doubled as a direct qualifier for the Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, Robson will have the chance to shine on the main stage after previous stints on the world tour.

“Watching the Olympic Games as a kid, it was always a dream of mine to represent Australia,” Robson said.

“With Brisbane set to host in 2032, Olympic qualification is something I think all Australians are excited about. Getting those valuable reps in at the ISA Worlds is a really important stepping stone towards achieving that goal.

“After falling off tour, I’ve focused on ramping up my skill development. I’m pushing to improve my surfing as much as possible so I can go head-to-head with the world’s best.”