By Jon Chown • Photos Credit: Dave “Nelly” Nelson
Aptos teen surfing sensation Isla Hardy competed at the Stab High Sydney 2025 event over the weekend, and while she didn’t make the final this time, she gained valuable experience in international competition.
“The day of the event didn’t go as I planned. but sometimes thats what happens,” Hardy texted after the event. “It makes me want to come home and push that much harder. I believe in myself 100% and I trust that things will happen at the right time. It happens to even the best.”
Isla Hardy shows off one of her sponsors.
The event in Sydney, Australia, was a surf contest focused on flight, with an emphasis on aerial maneuvers. Competitors in four divisions performed stunts in a wave pool. Hardy was in the 15-and-under girls division,one of eight girls chosen nationally to compete. It’s been only a year since she first tried surfing in a wave pool. She said Sydney was “super fun” and she got to talk to some of her heroes in the sport.
“So grateful to be a part of a rad community of surfers,” she said.
“Her progression has been really amazing to witness,” said her mother, Michelle Hardy. “I love that Isla has events like this outside of your normal surf competition. It’s really fun to watch her skating background transfer into her airs in the wave pool. It’s making her a more well-rounded surfer.”
Hardy was recently chosen for USA Surfing’s Junior National Team where she will be competing in the U16 division. There are just seven girls on the team and three are from Santa Cruz County with Olivia Storrer and Riviera Hunter, both from Santa Cruz, also on the team.
In July, Hardy took first place in the Open Women’s final at the National Scholastic Surfing Association National Championships held at Huntington Beach Pier. She also finished second in the Open Girls final for ages 16 and under at the same event.
“I’ve been putting in a lot of time in and out of the water these last few months. Local legends like Jason ‘Ratboy’ Collins, Homer Hernard, Darryl ‘Flea’ Virostko and photographer Dave ‘Nelly’ Nelson have all helped me tremendously,” she said. “We have a deep surf culture here and so many people have helped me along the way.”
Hardy competed in Stab High Japan in June and landed three of six airs. Between the two nations, she prefers Australia. The beaches look like home, the food is familiar and the weather was much warmer than in Japan.
Isla Hardy (top) competes in Stab High, Sydney, Australia on Oct. 10. • Photo Credit: By Michelle Hardy
“It definitely feels more like home and less foreign,” Hardy said in an interview two days before the competition, while getting acclimated to the 18-hour time change. In addition to the environment, Hardy said she felt more comfortable at her second Stab High event because of the relationships she’s developed while traveling.
“I have one of my best friends here, and I just know more people,” she said. “I definitely feel more prepared and confident this time.”
Besides the competition, Hardy spent some time as a tourist — when she wasn’t doing schoolwork.
“I did a lot of sightseeing. I saw the Opera House, really cool, and I got to see a koala. I love koalas,” she said. “I love it here. The food is amazing and the people are super nice.”
Hardy homeschools and still does about four to five hours of classwork every day when traveling for competition. She is currently a sophomore and a straight-A student.
“It’s actually good for her. She’s learned good life lessons on how to juggle and manage her time,” said her mother.
According to her mother, Hardy began surfing with her father, Brock Hardy, at age 2. She is the oldest of three sisters, and both younger sisters surf as well.
