Full Name: Gabrielle Moana Paul
Nickname: Gabi
Date of birth: 18/08/2001
Hometown: Piha Beach
Ethnicity: NZ European/Maori
Iwi: Ngapuhi
Height: 169cm
Stance: Natural
How many boards do you own: 8
Length range: 5’7 – 9’1
Shaper: NA
Sponsors: sol zinc
Surfing Since: 6-7 years old
How did you start surfing: My dad bought me a boogie board for Christmas, but I told him I wanted to surf instead.
Surfing competitively Since: 9-10
Competition strategy: Varies from contest to contest, but I consistently try to only focus on what I can control, how many waves I catch, where I am sitting etc, and ignore my competitors surfing.
New Zealand teams: 2 x longboard teams, trans-Tasman cup team
Career highlight: Travelling overseas for the NZ team and travelling all over NZ with friends.
Ambitions: I would love to win an open women’s national title, and maybe give the QS a crack.
Main surf breaks you surf: Manu Bay, Ngarunui, Ruapuke (I live in Raglan)
Favourite surf break: Too many to choose, probably one on an island I can’t disclose, locals wouldn’t like me.
People you surf with the most: Jay, Aimee, Jack, Conor
Occupation: Student, occasional surf coach
Other interests: Music (playing and listening), food (cooking and eating), my degree, art, travel (prior to covid)
Surfing heroes: Steph Gilmore, the Ladybirds, Jay, Carrissa Moore, Johanne Defay, Mischa, Griffin Colapinto, Mason Ho, Kelia Moniz (who throws themselves over a big one at Teahupoo on a longboard!?) and more…
Life heroes: My family (dad especially), my close friends
Favourite food: Anything, but Sushi and other Japanese cuisine, and chocolate, I could live on those things.
Favourite moves: Watching huge airs and pits, turn combos with no break in between.
Favourite surf video: Roxy Shimmer, Leave a message, and Riss.
