At just 13, Leihani Zoric is about to achieve a dream years ahead of schedule — pulling on the green and gold while proudly representing her culture and community on surfing's world stage.
Having grown up on Bundjalung Country in Byron Bay, QAS-supported surfer Leihani Zoric will represent Australia at the 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in El Salvador.
For the 13-year-old, selection for the Irukandjis is about more than competing against the world’s best emerging surfers. It is an opportunity to represent her country, her Aboriginal culture and the community that has supported her journey.
“Being selected for the Australian team is a really cool achievement. I have always dreamed of representing my country and culture on the world stage,” Zoric said.
“Representing Australia at only 13 years old is pretty amazing, and I never thought an opportunity like this would be possible.
“I am proud of what I have achieved and grateful for the opportunity to show the world what I can do. I also want to represent my culture and community at the highest level.”
Zoric heads to El Salvador as part of an Australian team with a proud recent record at the championships.
The Irukandjis are the back-to-back team world champions after victories in 2024 and 2025 and will now chase a third consecutive title and Australia’s 10th World Junior team gold.
The scale of the challenge is significant, with 427 athletes from 56 national teams set to compete across the U16 and U18 divisions.
The championships have also established themselves as an important pathway to the highest level of the sport. Of the 71 surfers who have competed at the Olympic Games, 62 previously competed at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.
For Zoric, however, the opportunity to compete on the world stage has been built on the support she has received closer to home.
“So many amazing people have supported and helped me along the way, and I don’t want to name only a few because there are so many more who deserve recognition,” she said.
“I would like to thank everyone who is listening to or reading this. Your support means the world to me.
“Knowing that people back me and believe I can win gold gives me so much confidence going into the event. I believe that support and confidence will help drive me to the top.”
Zoric will be joined by fellow QAS-supported surfers Caden Francis (U18 Men), Stella Green (TSP, U18 Women) and Eliza Richardson (U16 Women), as Australia looks to continue its recent dominance on the world junior stage.
The 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship runs from 4-13 September in El Salvador, with competition taking place at La Bocana and El Sunzal.
For Zoric, it is the first chance to wear the Australian uniform on the world stage. For the Irukandjis, it is a chance to make it three in a row.
