Gold Coast talent owns fastest rise in world surfing

A GOLD Coast surfer is enjoying one hell of a year.

BURLEIGH Boardrider Liam O’Brien has been on a tear in 2018!

The 19-year-old powerful natural footer hasn’t put a foot wrong claiming 3 WQS wins (two were back to back) to crack the top 100.

LAST WEEK’S SURF SCENE

“A goal of mine was definitely to crack the top 100, didn’t expect to end up with 3 victories though, “said the modest professional who has been consistently climbing the ratings ladder.

This time last year he registered his first WQS win at the Port Stephens Pro to set up a huge year of travelling in 2018. His WQS campaign started in Hawaii and now finishing in Hawaii where he was unlucky not to progress from round 2 in overhead surf at Sunset Beach for the HIC Pro.

Gold Coast surfer Liam O'Brien chaired up the beach by his mates after winning the West Sumbawa Pro, Indonesia. Picture: WSL

“It was good fun out there. Managed to get one good ride at the beginning of the heat (7point ride) but ended up snapping my board on my second wave ha-ha. Pretty unfortunate but I guess that’s how it rolls sometimes. Still grateful to be where I am and to have had the chance to surf a heat at Sunset,” he said to finish 92 on the top 100.

WEEKEND SPORTS GALLERY

While he was disappointed to lose, he took some positive takeaways from that heat.

“From an educational perspective I think I just needed to find myself a better backup early on in the heat so as to not leave myself needing a small score at the end. Having said that, I still feel like I surfed a fairly well structured heat but was just unlucky to snap my board on my second best ride.”

O’Brien had travelled the Globe this year from Hawaii, East and West Coast of Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, South Africa and Barbados competing in 17 Qualifying series events.

Burleigh Boardrider Liam O'Brien has had a huge year on the World Qualifying series winning 3 events to crack the top 100. Picture: WSL

His plan for 2019 is to keep chipping away on the QS next year.

“Hopefully I’ll get into the higher rated comps and have the chance to compete at the next level. My ultimate goal would be to qualify for the WCT but it’s a long road. If anything I just want to keep enjoying what I’m doing.”

SNAPPER’S LATEST WIN

He is a proud member of the Burleigh Boardriders Club and not surprisingly his favourite break is Burleigh Point. When not surfing, he likes playing video games.

A cool consummate competitor with a big future, Liam has been coached by well-known super coaches Mark Richardson and Burleigh’s former World Tour competitor Jay Thompson. His surfing hero is Dane Reynolds and loves watching his videos. His environmental tip is, “Put your rubbish in the bin.”

Lastly he thanks his parents, sponsors and Burleigh boardriders for their support.” They are really supportive of what I do and I wouldn’t be where I am without them. My sponsors are a huge support too!

SNAPPER THE ‘BEST TEAM EVER’

The Burleigh Boardriders have also opened a lot of doors for me and continue to back me and on top of that just everyone who’s helped me along the way. Very grateful.” Go get em in 2019 Liam!