World-class waves in one of the most beautiful surf locations on earth have given Bond University’s newest ADCO Sports Excellence Scholar Sammy Lowe a surge of confidence heading into his next competitive challenge.
A recent surfing expedition to Fiji where tropical strength swells produce some of the planet’s most demanding reef breaks, proved the perfect classroom for the rising star. Given just 24 hours to pack his bags, Lowe was dispatched by Surfing Australia on a “strike” mission with two other junior surfers, targeting pumping conditions to sharpen their individual skills.
The opportunity is courtesy of Lowe’s inclusion in Surfing Australia’s 45-strong high-performance program, where he has been rubbing shoulders with world champion Molly Picklum and Olympians Tyler Wright, Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing.
The Bachelor of Business student says the opportunity to surf the world-famous Cloudbreak under the eye of top coaches has made him a better surfer.
“I took a lot away from the trip, mainly being able to be comfortable in big waves and perform at world class breaks which I’ll have to surf in the future,” Lowe said.
The Bachelor of Business student has started his season in fine fashion, starring for the Sandon Point Board Riders team at the Burleigh Boardriders Battle, where his team finished 5th in Australia.
“We are the smallest team in the competition and had never made it out of a heat before, so were so excited to make the final,” he said.
“I was really happy with my performance for the team, as I was able to get excellent scores all day.”
The result was Lowe’s second top five result for the year, after his semi-finals berth led to 5thplace at the Phillip Island Junior Pro.
While the junior tour doesn’t offer a pathway toward a coveted place in the World Surf League Championship Tour, Lowe says the opportunity for consistent competition and skill development is invaluable.
“I’ve been training really hard to work on the little intricacies to be a better surfer, mainly my backhand air game which I’m hoping to do better with in the upcoming comps,” he said.
Lowe’s long-term goal of qualifying into the Championship Tour will require him to progress from the Qualifying Series into the Challenger Tour, in which a top 10 finish would qualify him into the lucrative CT.
Currently in 50th on the Qualifying Series tour, Lowe showed promise against the elite men when he finished 17th in February’s Gold Coast Open.
The goofy footer, who relocated from Thirroul in January, will now turn his attention to the Narrabeen Pro Junior from 22-26 April.