This 17-Year-Old Malibu Local Is The Best Female Longboarder In The World

At just 17 years of age, Soleil Errico has become a World Champion of surfing.

At the 2018 WSL Women’s World Longboard Championship, which took place in Taiwan, Errico eclipsed an international field of loggers in Jinzun Harbor’s playful blue walls. She defeated fellow-Californian and 2015 World Champion, Rachel Tilly, in the final.

Errico is from Malibu. As most should know, the affluent beach town was recently laid to waste by the devastating Woolsey Fire – one which engulfed the homes of thousands, including those of Miley Cyrus, Neil Young, and surfing’s Strider Wasilewski. 

After her victory, Errico had this to say:

“I want to thank all of my friends and family, especially my mum and dad who have supported me so much to get here and done so much for my surfing career. There is no way I’d be the surfer I am today without my coach Taylor Jensen (Reigning Men’s Longboard Champion), he is incredible. All of the women’s competitors at this event are my idols and it’s been an honour to surf with them all. My hometown of Malibu has had a tough time recently with the Fires and everything and I want to dedicate this to Malibu and I can’t wait to bring it home.”