Sam Gillett Wins Australian Bodyboard Titles

Congratulations to 15 year-old Sam Gillett from Martinsville, NSW who went wave for wave with sister Teigen and Sophie Leathers in the Wahu Junior Womens final today at Gallows Beach, Coffs Harbour NSW. The Women’s Open heats had minimal numbers which meant that Teigen and Sam also surfed in the same heat as their mum Shauna in a combined final.

After the finals Sam said “It doesn’t feel real that I’m actually Australian champ for under 18 girls. I wasn’t expecting on winning it at all and I’m still getting my head around winning it!

Sam got into competitive bodyboarding only this year when she joined her local club, the Newcastle Bodyboard Club. She says “I had friends that were in it and they got me and my family to join and I have loved competing ever since and saw state coming up so thought I would give it a go!”

In her rookie year she’s developed a range of impressive skills including her favourite and signature move, “a reverse on a right hand wave, the best wave to do it on is an open faced wave that’s not too fast!” she says.

(Australian Junior Champ Sam Gillett Photo: Australian Surf Festival – Smith)

What’s next for Sam Gillett? “I’ve been invited to represent Australia in Chile for Junior Women’s Bodyboarding. I guess I will just see where it takes me but it would be a dream come true to become Professional Bodyboarder one day and just travel the world competing, surfing and having fun with friends.

Sam Says, “The best thing about bodyboarding for me is really just having fun with friends and not taking it too seriously, I love surfing with friends because they really push you to go harder and I have met so many new people and made so many more friends through Newcastle Bodyboard Club, at State and even Nationals this year, it is safe to say it has probably been the best year of my life!’

Finally, Sam says “I would like to thank my sponsors Science, Gyroll and Viper and Johnny and Sarah from District Five Bodyboard shop for supporting us. I couldn’t achieve these results without them and all their support!”

Junior Women’s Bodyboard Finals 2014

1. Sam Gillett 6.9
2. Teigan Gillett 3.8
3. Sophie Leathers 2.4

The Australian Surf Festival at Coffs Harbour is set to attract more than 500 surfers from around the country, over the 18-day event period. Visit the official event site www.australiansurffestival.com