When the World Surf League lands in Tahiti this week, all eyes won’t just be on the barrels. They’ll be on a 12-year-old local who calls this fearsome wave her backyard.
Kelia Mehani Gallina, born and raised in Teahupo’o village, will make history as the youngest surfer ever to compete in a WSL main event. At just 12 (she turns 13 mid-contest), Kelia secured her spot by winning the event trials — earning a wildcard into the main draw, where she’ll face none other than world No.1 Molly Picklum and American standout Lakey Peterson.
You could say she’s been preparing her whole life.
“We can see the wave from our bedroom,” says her dad, Ryan Gallina, originally from Hawaii. Kelia’s mum is Tahitian, and together they’ve raised their daughter just steps from one of the heaviest waves on the planet. It’s no wonder her Instagram handle is simply @MissTeahupoo.
A Backyard Break with a Global Stage
Teahupo’o is not your average training ground. It’s the kind of wave that has humbled world champions — and kept others away entirely. It’s shallow, sharp, and raw. After being excluded from the women’s tour for 16 years (from 2006 to 2022), the break is now back on both calendars, and the women are proving they belong. Last year’s 8–10ft barrels saw the top female surfers take it on with grace and grit.
For Kelia, though, the wave is a constant.
She first surfed it at four and a half years old. “I think I was scared,” she laughs. “But it’s kind of hard to remember.” Since then, she’s become a staple in the lineup, often paddling out with her dad when the swell pulses.
“I’ve been surfing Teahupo’o for 23 years,” Ryan says. “So I know it pretty intimately. I pride myself on knowing when it’s safe for her. But of course, you worry — like when they cross the street. That never goes away.”
From Rising Tides to Rising Star
Kelia’s surfing journey is steeped in community. She’s a regular face in WSL’s Rising Tides initiative — a mentorship program pairing young local girls with pro surfers during event stops.
“It’s the best birthday present ever,” she says, referencing how the Tahiti Pro often falls near her August 10th birthday. “It’s super inspiring to surf with Caity Simmers, Molly Picklum — all those girls. I’m excited to have them in a heat.”
Now, the same athletes she’s looked up to will be sharing a heat with her. And while the spotlight might be daunting for some, Kelia is just stoked.
“I’m pretty surprised,” she admits. “I just can’t wait.”
No Pressure, Just Passion
While qualifying for the WSL full-time is on her radar, the Gallina family is keeping things in perspective.
“We always visualised this,” Ryan says. “But we never thought it would happen this soon. It’s a goal – but not the goal. Surfing is a lifestyle for us. Whether or not she makes it on tour, it’s about being in the ocean, getting better every day, and loving what you do.”
And there’s wisdom in that.
As her dad points out, Kelia is the ultimate underdog. “No one expected her to make it this far. There’s no pressure on her — the pressure is on the other surfers. You don’t want to lose to a 12-year-old girl.”
The Moment Awaits
As the Teahupo’o swell begins to build, the Gallina family are hoping for waves — but not too big. Ryan won’t be able to assist in the lineup this time. “We’re praying the waves aren’t too big,” he says with a laugh. “But there’s comfort in knowing the best water safety crew in the world will be out there.”
Kelia’s already made history by paddling out. What happens next is up to the ocean.
“I’m just going to wait until the moment,” she says.
And maybe, just maybe, that moment will belong to Miss Teahupo’o.
(Images: Guardian Sport)
