Surfer and musician can do it all

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CURRUMBIN teenager Shaye Leeuwendal has been out of action for the best part of the year with a serious knee injury but has bounced back just in time for a couple of major events.

Leeuwendal has entered next month’s 3000 Qualifying Series (QS) event, the Port Stephens Women’s Pro in NSW, then backs up in December for the Australian junior titles in South Australia.

“This is the fourth time qualifying for Aussie titles but third time competing,” the high school student said.

SNAPPER’S LATEST TITLE

“It feels really great to have qualified again after not surfing for the first 4½ months of the year after knee surgery.

“During my recovery from my surgery, my goal was to qualify and I’m really stoked to have achieved my goal.”

Leeuwendal, 16, joined Snapper Rocks Surfriders Club at 12 and is now one of their best female juniors.

She trains with the Palm Beach Currumbin High sports excellence group.

Her mentors read like a who’s who of Gold Coast coaching such as Phil McNamara, Ben Falvey, Mark Richardson, Jay Phillips, Eddie Valladares, Gary Cruikshank and Marcos Freitas.

Her heroes include world champions Stephanie Gilmore – “my No.1 role model with the best style” – and Hawaii’s Carissa Moore – “as she’s a power surfer and that’s what I want to be!’’

Mick Fanning also inspires her. “He’s so down to earth,” she said.

Leeuwendal grew up on the beach watching her dad surf.

SNAPPER THE ‘BEST EVER’

“He’d took me out when I was eight but when I turned 11, I really got into it, and surfed every single day twice a day,” she said.

Her motivation is to surf faster and more critical than the day before.

She applauds the World Surf League for increasing prizemoney for women’s events to make it equal with men’s levels.

“There’s so many unsponsored girls even on the QS that fund their own trips,” she said.

“They can now make surfing more than just a hobby, they can make it their career.”

Leeuwendal is 100 per cent committed to surfing with possibility of making the world tour one day.

“But for now I’m going to focus on the pro junior series and a few QS events,” she said.

“I’ll give the QS a good crack after I finish year 12 next year.”

Leeuwendal is also a gifted musician who can sing, play guitar and ukulele.

Her favourite motivational saying is: “It’s hard to beat a person that never gives up.”