One To Watch: Introducing Mahli Abbott
Australian longboarding sensation Mahli Abbott is without doubt one to watch, and we couldn’t be more stoked to welcome her to the C-Skins family. The NSW State Champ in both U18 Girls and Open Women has grown up and shaped her surfing in a region rich in surf culture, great waves, and opportunities for technical and competitive development.
We caught up with Mahli, fresh off the plane from a family surf trip to Fiji and right before the start of her last half term of high school for the year before the Australian summer break.
Hey Mahli, can you tell us a bit about yourself, please?
Hi, I’m Mahli, I am 16 years old and I live in a small town in New South Wales, Australia, called Pottsville. I love surfing, travelling my family, friends and the beach. I LOVE longboarding, and travelling!
How did you get into surfing?
Both of my parents surf and I grew up with Dad shortboarding and mum longboarding. I first caught a wave when I was three. At that point we were living in South Australia and we had gone to Byron for a holiday, Dad hired a longboard in the bay and took me out at the pass with my lifejacket on and pushed me into a wave, and since that moment I have been hooked.
When we moved back here to Northern NSW I was six and started shortboarding a lot with dad.
What made you choose to pursue longboarding? What is it that appeals to you about this style of riding waves?
I grew up shortboarding until I was around eleven or twelve. Then one day I was surfing Cabarita with mum and my mum’s friend, a longboarder called Belén, and she said that she wanted to introduce me to her friend and shaper Beau Young. Beau’s a former World Longboard Champion [and the son of 1966 World Champion Nat Young], and when I was thirteen he made me my first custom log. I instantly fell in love with longboard surfing and this board is what got me so hooked. I have progressed to a larger longboard over the years and now surf for Bennet Surfboards as a team rider, however that beautiful first log from Beau has now been passed down to my sister Freya as her first log and then to my littlest sister Indigo.
Long boarding is so open to showcasing your individual style and allowing you to try new things, which I love. Just watching longboarding is like watching someone dance on the water. It is so beautiful.
“Mahli’s got the potential to go all the way. She’s got class, she’s got grace, she moves so beautifully on a mal, and for one so young? It’s unbelievable.
I think keep your eyes on Mahli because, I’m telling ya, that girl could well be standing on a podium one day with a World Cup in her hands and a World Title to her name.”
What role does competition play in your surfing life?
Competitions have allowed me to improve my surfing over time, and to get an understanding of that side of the surfing environment. They have allowed me to be noticed by others, make so many lifelong friends who share the same passion as me, and improve my surfing career. It opens so many doors for opportunities.
Can you tell us about the surf community in your area?
I spend a lot my weekends surfing Byron Bay, Wategos, or The Pass.
My family and I are part of The Byron Bay Malibu Club, which is the longest standing Malibu Club in Australia. Our club meets each month and it’s a morning I always looking forward to. It’s like a big surfing family; there are young families, and also surfers that have been there from day one – some of them are in their seventies and they absolutely rip!
Growing up Surfing around Byron I’ve watched surfers like Josie Prendergast and Elise Trigger since they were my age and who inspire me so much. I have always looked up to them and have always admired their style. I’ve got to know them in the water and they are the nicest people.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I am still in school and have started my final year of High School, Year 12. Monday through Friday I am at school from 9am, but my sisters and I try to surf at least twice a week before school at either our local break, Cabarita, or at Greenmount (on the Gold Coast) or in Byron. One of those days is a before school coaching session.
Then on weekends I am surfing with my family, at Mal Club or a local event, and when the surf is no good I love to go spend the day at the beach with friends.
I am part of the Sporting Excellence Program at my school for Surfing this coming year, so I will get extra strength training tailored to surfing, as well as coaching in sport psychology, nutrition and other areas to help me to develop further as an athlete, which is super exciting.
You’ve travelled to surf a fair bit already – what have been your highlights?
I have been lucky enough to travel to many places and go surfing. My favourite destination of all is Tavarua island in Fiji. It’s the most beautiful little island surrounded by right hand and left hand reef breaks, my favourite being the long peeling left that wraps around one side of the island, called Restaurants. Another highlight I had was travelling around Sri Lanka with my family for three months searching for new waves to surf. Travelling has allowed me to surf so many different waves, understand other cultures and make lots of friends, which is why I love it so much.
What are your plans for the rest of the year as Australia moves into spring and summer?
By summer this year all of my comps will be done until next March. I’m really looking forward to the water getting a bit warmer and six weeks of school holidays so I can surf as much as I can. I hope to improve my surfing as much as possible in time for next year’s competitions.
We're delighted to be supporting Mahli, and can't wait to see what she achieves in a C-Skins wetsuit.
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