Sawyer Lindblad. Photo: Miah Klein
Like many kids from San Clemente, California, Sawyer Lindblad knows how to surf. Not only does she surf, but she surfs well. Really well. Lindblad grew up playing a variety of sports, but when she landed her first sponsor at age 12, she decided to put all of her focus into riding waves. At 14, Lindblad competed in her first WSL QS event. And won it. Recently, the 17-year-old beat defending champ Caroline Marks to win the 2022 Super Girl Pro. We caught up with Lindblad between sessions and talked about how she first got into surfing, competition results over the years, and her goals looking forward.
How did you first get into surfing?
I’ve grown up in San Clemente, Calif. my entire life and started surfing at a very young age. My dad grew up surfing and eventually taught my brother and I how to surf. My parents wanted us to do a bunch of different sports when we were younger, so I didn’t really start focusing on surfing until I was around 12. I played tennis and soccer competitively for a long time. I figured out that I loved surfing the most out of all the sports I played, so I decided to put all my focus into it when I got sponsored.
When did you first start competing?
I started competing when I was 10; it was always just super fun and exciting. I started with the WSA push-in division for the first year of competing and then once I got comfortable paddling into my own waves, I did NSSA and USA surfing contests. When I was 14, I did that first WSL QS contest and won. I’ve been competing in WSL events ever since then.
When did you know you wanted to be a pro surfer?
I knew that I wanted to be a pro surfer after I won the first WSL contest I ever entered. I was just focusing on having fun and getting practice competing against the older girls in the contest. I surprised myself when I ended up winning, and I realized that I wanted to see how far I could go with my surfing. I’ve been working as hard as I possibly can to do well in the Challenger Series and gain one of the five spots to qualify for the CT.
How has the CS been going this year?
This is my second year competing in the CS and it’s been a really crazy and fun experience. I’m still really young, so these first couple years I’m mainly focused on learning and improving my surfing. Qualifying for the CT is definitely a goal of mine. I’m currently ranked ninth on the CS and I need to be in the top five with two more events left to qualify.
Tell us about your win at the Super Girl Pro.
The Super Girl event has always been one of my favorite contests to watch. Growing up, I always admired how the Super Girl contest was the only all-female surfing event in the world. I remember going down to the contest when I was young and watching all my heroes compete. It was always an event that I dreamed of winning someday. When I made the final and was up against Caroline, I knew that I was going to have to surf my absolute best. To be the youngest to ever win that event feels really special and I will remember that day forever.
Which competition results are you most proud of?
Winning the Super Girl is definitely the result that I’m most proud of because I had just come off of two second places, and to come back and finally get the win felt extra special. Also, getting third in the CS event in France last year was a proud moment.
Where’s your home break?
T-street and Lowers. I like how they’re very different waves — one being a beachbreak and the other being a point break. Lowers has influenced my surfing by being able to go down there during the summer and watch some of the best surfers from all over the world. It’s such a good wave to help improve your surfing and it’s helped me a lot growing up surfing out there. I feel grateful to live in San Clemente and be able to surf all year around.
What are some of your greatest strengths, and weaknesses?
My strength is probably my backhand turns. Being a goofy foot, I’ve always worked really hard to improve my backhand since so many of the greatest waves in the world are rights. My weakness is probably surfing big, powerful waves.
What does a typical week look like for you (surfing, cross training, etc.)?
I surf every day for at least three hours and train twice a week with my trainer, Stu White, in Huntington Beach.
Are you homeschooled? Any college plans?
I’m currently a junior in high school and have been doing online school since COVID. I plan on doing online university once I graduate from high school. I’m really interested in studying law and criminology.
What are your longterm goals?
Definitely to qualify for the CT and win a world title.
