Ella Williams
If Paige is our leading lady then she’s given Whangamata’s Ella Williams a pretty impressive path to follow. Not that the 23-year-old needs a path to be cleared. She’s wanted to be world surfing champion since she wrote that goal on her bedroom wall at age six. In 2013 she stood on the top step of the podium and was crowned the Junior World Champion. It was an incredible feat that put her in the sights of the best surfers on the planet.
Ella is now in her seventh year of WQS competition with her finishing consistently inside the top 50. In 2017 she landed a wildcard to surf at Bells Beach, only to be knocked out by three-time World Champion, Carissa Moore. It was a taste of the big leagues and she liked it.
Her 2019 season has opened with a win at the Mothernest Great Lakes Pro, making it 1 from 1 for 2019. Of all people, she knows there is still a long way to go from here, but watch this girl. She knows what it takes and we’re tipping her star is rising. Bring it on …
