Ahead of the next WSL Challenger Series stop, we caught up with a few of our High Performance Program athletes to hear how they’re tracking and what’s on their mind ahead of Huntington.
Liam O’Brien, Willow Hardy, Oscar Berry and India Robinson take the stand…
LIAM O’BRIEN
Q: Anything unique or new in your training and preparation lately? Anything specific for Huntington?
A: Huntington is a tricky one, I’ve just been riding epoxies in small waves andbouncing to the Shorey haha. But seriously though, I’ve been I’ve been dialling in on smarter competitive tactics, and being more consistent in my preparation.
Q: How do you like to keep busy in between heats in the US? Sightseeing, food, anything else?
A: Probably just lots of tacos between surfs.
WILLOW HARDY
Q: You’re six weeks post-op from your syndesmosis injury, how does it feel to be back competing?
A: I’m so excited to be back competing. When I first did the injury, coming back this quickly felt like a long shot, so I can’t believe I’m here in HB and feeling good. Right now, I’m mainly focused on rebuilding confidence in my ankle, sharpening my heat strategy, and hopefully putting a few solid heats together.
Q: How have you been working with the Surfing Australia High Performance Program team to get back to full strength and prepare for your return?
A: I’ve been working with Physio Paul Wiedersehn since the day after my operation, focusing on regaining my range and mobility. He’s been amazing and definitely a big reason for my strong recovery.
Q: What’s been the biggest learning curve for you so far in recovering from this injury?
A: The biggest challenge coming back from a serious injury has been staying disciplined. Learning to accept the situation, move forward and stay focused on the positives.
OSCAR BERRY
Q: After a tricky first year on the Challenger Series, you’ve just secured a breakthrough result—what’s been the biggest shift in your surfing and mindset since this time last year?
A: Last year’s Challenger Series wasn’t exactly what I’d hoped for—it almost felt like an initiation. But after earning my spot back through solid results on the regional tour, I felt a real sense of belonging. I genuinely believe I belong at the top level. It’s been the small moments, in both events and training, that have really shaped my growth as a surfer
Q: Have you changed anything up in your training lately? Any specific prep for Huntington?
A: Lately the focus has been on explosiveness and range of movement. I’ve built a solid strength base, so now it’s about refining that—getting faster, more powerful, and moving through deeper ranges with full-body work
Q: Any techniques or methods you use in your heats to stay confident and composed?
A: This has been a big focus for me over the last six months—working with my team to spot patterns in mistakes or lapses in composure, then diving deeper to understand the root cause. From there, we’ve built strategies to help me reset quickly, which has made a big difference in my approach this year.
INDIA ROBINSON
Q: How do you feel returning to the Challenger Series after taking some time off?
A: Coming back to competing after a year off has definitely been an adjustment. I feel the healthiest and strongest I’ve felt in a long time, both physically and in my surfing. Now, it’s about letting my surfing shine and making smart decisions under pressure.
Q: What equipment are you riding for this event? Any changes compared to other stops on the Challenger Series?
A: For this event, I usually ride a slightly smaller, flatter board. Right now, I’m on a new 5’7 ‘Shadow’ from Pyzel, it’s a bit smaller and flatter, which helps me fit my turns tighter into the wave when it’s small.
Q: Anything unique or new in your training and preparation lately? Anything specific for Huntington?
A: My training and preparation have been pretty similar. I surf and train regularly, and lately I’ve been adding some fast footwork drills to stay sharp for the small waves. I also like to keep my routines consistent, so bringing a few things from home helps me adapt—one non-negotiable in my suitcase is Vegemite.
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