Tassy Swallow

Tassy Swallow

Biography:

Tassy Swallow is an explosive young surfer from St. Ives in Cornwall, and is already recognized as one of the most promising female surfers from the UK and Europe. A standout year of competitive surfing has earned her a well-deserved promotion to O'Neill's European team of riders. Never one to rest on her laurels, Tassy is already planning her attack on the next 12 months of competition in order to back up her breakout season. Swallow's outstanding talent was also recently recognized by surfing's world governing body after she was awarded one of only 25 ISA Individual Scholarships. Tassy's latest achievement comes off the back of a strong showing at the World Junior Surfing Championships in New Zealand, where she made it all the way through to the Quarter Finals. The result pushed Swallow into the top 20 in the world junior rankings, and she'll be looking to press ahead this season as she attacks the Pro Junior Tour. Despite the demands of juggling her school studies with her surfing and training, Swallow is already showing the world that she can handle the pressure and perform at the very top level.

Photos:
Latest on Tassy Swallow: related products: Interview

Q: What has been the biggest highlight of the past 12 months for you?
A: The biggest highlights of the last 12 months for me would have to be joining the O'Neill Europe Team, and the breakthrough that I've made with my own surfing through a recent trip to Bali. I loved surfing there with some of the best boys from home, with a really good coach giving us feedback. And of course, representing my country twice in one year at the World Junior Surfing Games - both in Ecuador and New Zealand. That was a real honour and an amazing experience.  

Q: What's the best thing about riding for a living?
A: Surfing new waves, traveling and learning about the world with people who I care about and love spending time with. I'm constantly being pushed by my peers, and there are always ways of improving, ways of making a contribution. I'm very privileged because the places we visit are so inspiring and challenging. I love achieving things through surfing that make my family proud of me.  

Q: Who do you enjoy riding with the most, and why?
A: I like to surf with all the boys at home, because when they do a sick air or turn it makes me want to try harder, and they help me out too. I love surfing with the older British girls as well, especially when they give the boys a hard time! My inspiration in the line-up is undoubtedly Melanie Bartels for flow and style, and I also really appreciate all the people who have helped me out in the past and present. They inspire me to do the same for other people.  

Q: Other than home, where is your favorite place to ride, and why?
A: Other than home, my favourite place to surf is all around Europe, especially near Hossegor in France because there is such a good group of people there and the waves are amazing. I also love Australia, Hawaii and Bali, and would definitely like to spend more time there. But my favourite place to surf of all time to date would have to be the Maldives - you can pull up to absolutely pumping waves in the middle of nowhere with no one else out, and the culture there is so refreshing as well.  

Q: What are your main goals and plans for the next 12 months?
A: Over the next 12 months I'd like consolidate and improve my surfing through training with more experienced riders in Europe and elsewhere, do well on the European Pro Junior Tour and in the European Championships, and I'd love to make the Finals stages again in the next ISA World Surfing Games.  

Q: How do you see your sport evolving in the next few years?
A: Over the next few years I hope surfing will continue to grow in popularity and become an Olympic discipline. As well as being athletically demanding as an elite sport, requiring power and agility, surfing draws on passion and creativity as well, which make it very special. I also really believe that the lifestyle values it embodies should be a positive influence, and that surfers can help keep the stoke!  

Q: Have you got any plans to film a new video part, and if yes, with which film company?
A: So far I've predominantly filmed with coaches, photographers or TV journalists on trips, and some of that footage can be found on the web. This year, I'm also working on an exciting creative project with some of the same guys and others, focussing on surfing and cross-training.
 
Q: What do you do for fun when you are not riding?
A: When I'm not riding, I really enjoy writing, blogging and taking photographs, mainly about traveling and the things I come across. I practise Muay Thai kickboxing and yoga, and I skate and snowboard when I can too. All that exercise helps with core fitness, and I'm also involved with other sports. Sometimes though, it's just good to chill out on the beach with my family and friends, or surf with my little brother and sister!

Q: What achievement are you most proud of so far in your career?
A: It was pretty cool to be the British Junior Champion in my division, and having so far represented Team Great Britain three times since being thirteen, I was so proud to achieve a Quarter Final placing in the World Surfing Games this year. And of course I'm now thrilled to be riding for O'Neill Europe. As an 'Ambassador' for surfing, I've also been able to introduce groups of young people in inner cities to surfing through a series of school tours.

Q: If you didn't ride for a living, what would you have liked to be doing now for an occupation?
A: If I wasn't a surfer or an industry champion, I'd probably want to be a professional snowboarder or kickboxer, a sports psychologist, or a travel/sports journalist !  

Q: What trick do you enjoy the most?
A: At the moment, I'm loving my backhand, but I'm also determined to nail some airs and be the first British woman to really to so!

Achievements