Tru StarlingOver the years few logos have been more sort after to have on a girls surfboard than that of Roxy.
From the ground breaking surfing of Lisa Anderson through to the queen of style (and women’s surfing) Steph Gilmore, so many hits and carves have been accentuated by the Iconic Roxy logo on the nose of women’s boards all around the world.
But over the past few years we have noticed that long time, well renowned up and coming surfers have been dropping from the Roxy team. Now, obviously Covid-19 has impacted the surfing industry in good and bad ways, it is reported that some brands are trading upwards and some brands are “just hanging in there”.
But Roxy seems to be making the biggest noise in terms of team changes, from the parting of ways with amazing surfers like India Robinson, Alyssa Lock, Summer Machado, Ellie Brooks and Sierra Kerr, Roxy seems to be looking at making big changes. Some may say for the good, others may argue this?
Now don’t get us wrong, the Roxy team is arguably the strongest team in the world with surfers like Steph Gilmore, Caroline Marks, Bronte MacCaulay and Vahine Fierro but we wondered, how is Roxy looking for the next-gen of competitive girl surfers?
So we thought we would ask Roxy Consumer Activation & Influencer Specialist, Tahlea Knowles.
Roxy is such an iconic brand in surfing around the world, roughly how many team riders would you have globally?
“Across surf and snow we’d have around 70 to 100 team riders globally.“
Does Roxy have a team strategy when it comes to competitive surfing?
“From a team balance point of view we always try and have some of the best up and coming girls from regions for the business around the world. We try not to put too much pressure on our girls though, we want them to be themselves, enjoy surfing both in and out of competition. Competitions aren’t all we are after from the girls. We love seeing their style and grace as a person first and foremost.”
After the big names like Steph, Caroline, Bronte and Vahine who is coming through the Roxy ranks that we should keep an eye on?
“You can’t look past Sage Goldsbury. She has been with us since she was really young and she was one that Steph herself has always said to us make sure we look after her she is going to make it. In the other regions there is Juliette Lacome and Betty Lou Sakura. Both those girls are ripping and should be seen on tour in the next few years. On the longboard front Kelis Kaleopa’a who is already leading the charge at the young age of 16. If it wasn’t for COVID she very well could have been a World Champion last year.”
For a young girl hoping one day to have a Roxy sticker on the nose of her surfboard what do you suggest she does to achieve this goal in the future in regards to her surfing and how she carries herself outside of the water?
“Be a good person in and out of the water. To us it isn’t always about results but it’s about who is a great person to be around and great person to represent Roxy in the sense that their peers look up to them or are inspired by them. Just enjoy surfing and the ocean with a smile on your face.”
Side Note: For us (to help support Tahlea’s last comment), sponsorship is a great thing and having the support of a brand is always a great feeling but remember first and foremost it’s about having fun, being true to yourself and never holding back.
Roxy is a part of the women’s fabric of surfing and a lot of female surfers could say they owe a part of their professional surfing success to Roxy so we wish them the best in their journey with next generation of sponsored athletes.
Jesse Starling
Jacqui Maree Bailey
