This Indigenous teen just became the youngest ever junior surfing world champion

Jarred Cross Published September 29, 2026 at 3.30pm (AWST)

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13-year-old Yued Yorga surfer Leihani Zoric made history twice at the recent ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in El Salvador. (Image: ISA, Pablo Franco/Pablo Jimenez)

Leihani Zoric is still riding the wave of celebrations for her historic, never-before-seen triumph.

The 13-year-old recently became the youngest-ever ISA (International Surfing Association) junior world champion, and first Indigenous athlete to summit the top of the sport.

The Yued Yorga teen claimed her world title in the under 18 age group at La Bocana, Surf City in El Salvador earlier this month.

Zoric's now had the chance to celebrate back at home on Bundjalung Country and with those closest to her on Sunday.

"I came to El Salvador believing I could win. I got here on a wildcard for the U18s, but the second I found out, I told Mum and Dad I was going to win," Zoric wrote on social media after her win.

"I'd written it down. Visualised it. Stuck it on my door at home. "I am going to become the 2026 ISA gold medallist." My nana always told me I'd be the first Zoric world champion. And I did it."

*Leihani Zoric became the first Indigenous world surfing champion, and youngest ever junior title winner in El Salvador this month. (Image: ISA, Jerrson Barbosa)*

A 16.00 score in the final at La Bocana confirmed her win. It was the highest total heat score in the under 18s girls' competition.

Zoric was out of the water sick for almost a week after arrival. Not long after, she became world champ.

"Leaving here as the youngest ever ISA U18 World Junior Champion & a two-time ISA Junior World Champion gold medallist feels unreal," she said.

"None of this happens alone. My family have given me so much to chase this. To my coaches, teammates, friends, sponsors, my Yued Mob & everyone who has backed and believed in me, thank you.

"These medals might have my name on them, but there are so many people in them."

Byron Bay's surfing community and local Boardriders club came together to share in the celebrations at the weekend.

Her win is described as putting her hometown, nearby Broken Head, on the map.

"My number one goal in life is to inspire all people, girls and boys of all different ages, just to bring everybody up, because when you're bringing everybody up, we're all feeding off each other's energies," Zoric said.

Her mum Kirsty said on celebration night "It's not about the results, it's about loving being in the ocean with a mate, and with us as a family. What you put out, you receive back tenfold."

Zoric draped in the Aboriginal flag in El Salvador. (Image: Pablo Franco)

Zoric's dad Clay added "She's out there doing it for herself."

The 13-year-old's junior world title follows the likes of Sally Fitzgibbons and all age world champions Stephanie Gilmore and Tyler Wright as claiming an underage triumph on the path to the top of the sport.

Zoric's coach, another former world champion, Chelsea Hedges, called her "probably one of the most exciting athletes that I've worked with".

"She's very creative and unpredictable in what she's going to do each session, which is a pretty special trait to have," Hedges said.

"She has so much time for other people, other girls and boys. That's going to carry her a long way in her competitive career, too."

In El Salvador, Australia claimed their 10th team gold medal.

Zoric will soon be paddling out again, this time for New South Wales at the Australian Surf Titles on Noongar Country in Wooditjup / Margaret River.

Earlier in the year, Zoric took home the Junior Girls and Open Women's titles at the Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles.