Fourteen-year-old Swiss surfer Zoë Hauser has quickly found her place in the wavepool world.
We caught up with Zoë ahead of her sessions at the Alaïa Surf Challenge.
Where are you from, and how long have you been surfing?
I’m from Zurich, Switzerland. I started surfing when I was eight years old during a family holiday in Portugal, and I’ve loved it ever since.
What is your local break?
I train regularly at Alaïa Bay, Urban Surf Zurich and Oana Citywave in Lucerne, Switzerland. Whenever I can, I surf at Praia do Amado in Portugal, which feels like my second home.
Which wave pools have you surfed?
I’ve surfed at Alaïa Bay, Urban Surf Zurich, Oana Citywave and O₂ SURFTOWN MUC in Munich.
Which is your favourite wave pool?
My favourite wave pool is Alaïa Bay. This is where I train the most and where I feel at home. I love it because it’s a high-performance wave that lets me work on powerful turns and airs.
O₂ SURFTOWN MUC has an incredibly long wave, which gives you more time to link manoeuvres together and be creative. Urban Surf Zurich and Oana Citywave are also great because they’re close to home and make it easy to get extra water time.
Are you excited about the Wavepool Surf Tour? There are opportunities to win a Wavepool World Title in your division.
Yes, I’m really excited! I think it’s amazing that wave pools now have their own world tour. It gives surfers from countries without an ocean even more opportunities to compete at a high level.
There will be events around the world. Will you travel to compete internationally?
Definitely! I love travelling for surfing, meeting new people and competing in different places. If I have the chance, I’d love to surf as many Wavepool Surf Tour events as possible.
Who are your sponsors?
I’m supported by Hurley, Alaïa Bay, Ferox Surfboards and Surfari.
Do you currently compete in surfing competitions? If so, at what level?
Yes. I compete in national and international junior surfing competitions, including the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, the European Championships and the Swiss Championships.
Can you share a few recent competition results?
I won the Swiss U14 Championship, finished 3rd at the European Junior Championships Eurokids and will represent Switzerland at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.
Where has surfing taken you? Include any wave pools you’ve travelled to.
Surfing has taken me to Portugal, Spain, Indonesia and the Maldives, and will take me to El Salvador this year.
What are your future travel plans? Where are you heading next?
Next stops will be Portugal and El Salvador. I’d also love to explore more of Indonesia and visit more wave pools around the world.
What are the make, model and dimensions of your favourite board?
I’m riding Ferox Surfboards. My quiver consists of boards in 5'5", 5'7" and 5'8". The models are Speed Buster, Fractal, Falcata and Top Secret.
Would you ride different equipment in a wave pool than you would in the ocean? If so, what changes would you make?
Usually, I ride a very similar board, but in a wave pool I like using a slightly smaller board because the waves are more consistent and it feels easier to generate speed and try new manoeuvres.
Wave pools are opening in more countries every year. How does that make you feel?
I think it’s really exciting. More people can discover surfing, and it gives young surfers like me more places to train and compete, even if they don’t live near the ocean.
Who are your favourite male and female surfers?
My favourite female surfers are Caitlin Simmers, Carissa Moore and Erin Brooks. I love watching their different styles and learning from them.
The Wavepool Surf Tour counts your two best waves, with opportunities to replace them if you improve. What would your strategy be? Would you back your forehand or backhand? Airs or barrels?
I keep my strategy secret 😉 … but I love airs and barrels.
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