Youngest WSL Competitor in History
Kelia Mehani Gallina riding the powerful Teahupo’o wave before her WSL debut
Kelia Mehani Gallina will be the youngest competitor in World Surf League history when she makes her debut at the Lexus Tahiti Pro from 7–16 August 2025. Only 12 years old, the local Tahitian qualifies for the main draw after a win in event trials last month.
Gallina’s first game is against Australian world number one Molly Picklum and American surfer Lakey Peterson in the first round. Her debut is just a few days before she turns 13, something she will celebrate while in competition.
Familiar Waters at Teahupo’o
The competition venue, Teahupo’o, is rated as the world’s most challenging and most deadly wave. Gallina lives in the village nearby and can see the beach from her home with her family. Her father, Ryan, a surfer of Hawaiian origin, has instructed her in how to surf through the reef’s challenging conditions ever since she was a child.
She began surfing at three and paddled out for the first time at Teahupo’o at four and a half. She has learned the reef over the years, with assistance from twice-daily training sessions.
Preparing for the Swell
A big southwest swell is forecast for the competition, and waves are more likely to hit 10 feet. Due to her smaller height, Gallina’s father acknowledges the physical disadvantage of receiving the largest sets.
The plan is for her to target the medium waves between the bigger sets. This approach is risky, though, as mistakes in positioning can result in taking a big wave on the head. Safety remains paramount for the family, with plans for her competing in heavy conditions yet to be determined.
Early Career and Local Recognition
Gallina grew up the first few years of her life in Teahupo and earned the nickname Miss Teahupo and went ahead to make this her Instagram name. She has also risen in prominence and is affiliated with WSL Rising Tides program in addition to surfing with the most influential female pros in every part of the world.
Gallina celebrates winning the Tahiti Pro trials to earn her main event spot
She is one of the most discussed among the competitors of the event due to her Tahiti Pro qualification in the international arena. Her family insists that although her surfing career is facing a lot of media scrutiny, surfing is still a way of life and not a sport.
Facing the Best in the World
Gallina meets two of the sport’s most experienced surfers in her opening heat. Picklum, who performs best under thick Hawaiian conditions, is a favorite to win the Tahiti Pro, as well as the finals next week in Fiji. Peterson also brings strong experience to the contest.
Although Gallina has already surfed waves of faces 12 feet high under the watchful eye of her father, competition rules will put her by herself in the sea. The family hopes for good conditions to allow her to showcase her skills safely.
A Milestone for Women’s Surfing in Tahiti
Teahupo’o returned to having a women’s competition after a 15-year absence in 2022. High-rated women surfers yesterday impressed pinnacles in steep 8- to 10-foot barrels, lifting the level of play at the break.
The fact that Gallina now looks a certain way is only another page in this development- a new breed of Tahitian surfers ready to conquer the world with the most daunting waves of the world.
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Final Thoughts
The appearance of Kelia Mehani Gallina at the Lexus Tahiti Pro is one of the professional surfing weirdnesses. At mehani the age of 12 years, she won the contest in one of the competitive fields of the sport of the best surfers in the world.
After the experience, years of training, and being concerned about safety, mehani Gallina will attempt to mehani surf thundering waves of Teahupo. Whether she cuts or not, she brings with her news of a young prospect in the surf competition scene.
