Marlon Harrison carving out a successful junior surfing career

Marlon Harrison would tag along to watch his sister dominate the Australian surfing scene before mirroring her feats. Read about the teenage surfing sensation’s success in the waves here.

Marlon Harrison was only six months old when he started surfing.

The now 16-year-old would stand on the front of a 12-foot epoxy tandem board with his dad before he could even walk.

When the Harrison family moved to the Gold Coast from Victoria, they naturally gravitated to Snapper Rocks and joined the Snapper Rocks Surfriders Club.

“It’s so good being involved in the club because you are guaranteed to have a good day, surf good waves and the talent is so amazing,” Marlon said. “It helps to push me.”

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In 2017, his oldest sister, Piper, won the Australian Junior title, beginning a journey of travel for the family.

“I could watch how she prepares before a heat and really benefit from her mistakes,” Marlon said.

“Travelling to events and experiencing them without the pressure of competing meant, when it was my time, I was amped and super-prepared. I am so lucky.”

Marlon Harrison on his way to winning the u/16 2019 Woolworths Queensland State Junior Surfing Titles series held at Duranbah Beach. Photo by Ben Stagg/Surfing NSW

Marlon has surfed in Peru, the US, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, New Zealand, Mexico and Hawaii.

“I have been travelling all of my life thanks to my parents, who love adventures, and we have been to some incredible places, including all around Australia,” he said. “I am really missing that at the moment (due to COVID-19).”

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Marlon rated his trip last year to Pipeline, where he stayed in the Quiksilver house with his mother Melissa, as his best yet. He caught the biggest waves of his career there, surfing triple overheads with Leo Fioravanti.

He rides Channel Islands surfboards, favouring a 5/8 Fever Spine-Tek.

“It’s super responsive and good fun,” Marlon said.

One of Snapper Rocks rising junior champions Marlon Harrison Photo by Ben Stagg/Surfing Qld.

The Year 10 Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School student likes maths and sports, and when he’s not surfing, he enjoys playing basketball, golf, fishing and hanging out with friends and family.

It’s the latter that really inspire him.

“They inspire me to believe in myself, push myself and follow my dreams,” he said.

Marlon’s goal is to be on the world tour and to win a world title. He wants to perform to the best of his ability and be an inspiration to the surfing community.

Marlon Harrison’s Surfing Success:

1st Rip Curl Vic grom search

1st Parko Grom Comp

2nd Rip Curl National Final grom search

2nd Bells Beach WSL Pro junior

4th Gold Coast WSL Pro Junior

5th Sydney WSL Pro Junior