Rodney Stevens
Wooloweyah grommet Phoenix Talbot had a 10th birthday most young surfers could only dream about when iconic surf brand Quiksilver came down from the Gold Coast to announce his sponsorship.
When professional surfer Lungi Slabb and World Surf League coach and commentator Stace Galbraith came to the Lower Clarence on June 23 to welcome Phoenix to the Quiksilver team, they did what all keen surfers would do and went for a surf together at Yamba’s Turners Beach to celebrate.
Speaking to the CV Independent from the Gold Coast, Phoenix, who was at a coaching clinic with six other young Quiksilver team riders last Friday before competing in the weekend’s nationally renowned Occy Grom Comp said it was the best 10th birthday present, he could imagine.
“It was a big surprise, I was stoked and so happy,” Phoenix said.
“It was really awesome.”
Phoenix, who is also sponsored by local surfboard shaper LSD surfboards, said he began surfing when he was just three and he loves to surf at Turners and Pippi Beach, Yamba.
“Surfing makes me feel happy and it’s fun surfing with my friends,” Phoenix said.
As part of the sponsorship package, Phoenix received several wetsuits, clothes and a backpack from Quiksilver, plus world class athlete development coaching by World Surf League coach Stace Galbraith and support of his surfing pursuits.
“The sponsorship means I can go on surfing trips with Quiksilver and get free wetsuits, clothing accessories and coaching which is just awesome,” Phoenix said.
“To have that level of coaching for a kid from Yamba is pretty special,” Phoenix’s mother Hayley said.
Despite his young age, Phoenix had already made his mark on Australian surfing winning the Woolworths Grom Comp in the under 8’s and under 10’s, with his biggest win coming in 2021, when he was the youngest champion at the national Billabong Oz Grom Comp at Coffs Harbour.
Now he has obtained this fantastic sponsorship and support, Phoenix said he is determined to go as far as he can in the world of surfing.
“I want to go on the world tour,” he said.
“I can’t wait to surf a break called Teahupoo, and there’s Pipeline and Indonesia I’m looking forward to surfing.”
Currently his favourite surfer on the world tour is Western Australia’s Jack Robinson and Phoenix said the late legend Andy Irons was also a favourite.
With his passion and dedication to surfing, Phoenix said he is determined to train hard so he can turn professional when he is old enough.
“I’m going to surf every day for at least two hours, plus I do basketball and football to keep me fit so I can surf my best,” he said.