Zahnie Freeman

Where It All Started

Playing by Bulli Beach, catching waves on the mal as a baby with my dad.

The Journey Nobody Sees

My dad is my idol and he loved his life as a surf athlete, but my journey is my own. Mum and Dad gave me the opportunity to try lots of different sports, but I chose surf lifesaving because I love it. When I started Year 7, my family made the big move from Bulli to the Gold Coast it meant leaving behind my friends, school and sport to start again, but it has helped me grow as both an athlete and a person. My parents always encourage me to have fun and just be a kid, but being a surf athlete means making a lot of sacrifices. There are early mornings, long training sessions and plenty of hard work that people don't see. You have to truly love what you do, and I do. Every challenge has made me more resilient, and I'm excited to see where the journey takes me next.

Your Greatest Moments

Winning back-to-back Australian U13 & U14 Surf Race titles and representing Queensland are achievements I'm really proud of. But what means the most is celebrating those moments with the people who support me. Sharing those achievements with my family & friends is what makes every success so special.

Beyond the Sport

When I'm not racing, I'm just a normal teenager who loves hanging out with my friends, wearing little bikinis and surfing..the bigger the waves, the better. I love having fun and making memories with my family and friends.