Full Name: Leia Millar
Nickname: Lei
Date of birth: 13/01/2007
Hometown: Piha
Ethnicity: NZ European
Height: 5’5
Stance: Regular
How many boards do you own: 4
Length range: 5’4-5’6
Shaper: Primal Surfboards
Sponsors: O’Neill, Primal Surfboards, Goodness Gracious Cafe, Skinnies Sunscreen.
Favourite board: 5’5 squash tail all round board by Primal Surfboards.
Surfing Since: Around 7 years old.
How did you start surfing: I grew up in Piha near the beach and my parents taught me to surf.
Surfing competitively Since: 12-13 years old
Competition strategy: be calm and get two waves quickly.
New Zealand teams: 2022 and 2023 NZ junior worlds team.
Career highlight: 22nd at the 2022 ISA junior worlds in El Salvador.
Ambitions: To travel to many cool places worldwide while achieving my goals in competitions.
surf breaks you surf: Piha and Whangamata beach.
Favourite surf break: Whanga Bar
People you surf with the most: Friends, Family and Surf Academy.
Occupation: Student
Other interests: Snowboarding, travelling, swimming.
Surfing heroes: Steph Gilmore and John John Florence
Life heroes: my parents and the older surfers I look up to.
Favourite food: chocolate and pesto pasta.
Favourite moves: Backhand snap
Favourite surf video: Toasted
What is your favourite event to compete at in the New Zealand junior Series?
Piha Billabong Grom Series comp.
Have you been to Brazil before?
No, this is my first time.
Is this your first ISA Campaign?
No, I competed in 2022 in El Salvador placing 22nd.
What are you looking forward to most about the trip?
I’m looking most forward to the warm water and new surf breaks.
What boards will you be taking? I will be taking an epoxy, and two all round boards.
Is there anyone you would like to thank?
I would like to thank everyone who is supporting me to get to Brazil, especially my family, friends and sponsors.
What are you doing training wise on the lead up to the ISA World Junior Surfing Championships?
I am surfing as often as I can and doing a strength and conditioning programme with FPT.
