Kelia Gallina: The 12-year-old earmarked for surfing greatness

What were you doing at 12 years of age? Kelia Gallina isn’t even a teenager, but is already being earmarked for the very top of the surfing world.

Tom Boswell

@TomBoswellGCB

2 min read

August 8, 2025 - 4:00PM

News Sport Network

TEAHUPOO, TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA - AUGUST 6: Kelia Gallina during the Rising Tides activation prior to the commencement of the Lexus Tahiti Pro on August 6, 2025 at Teahupoo, Tahiti, French Polynesia.(Photo by Beatriz Ryder/World Surf League)

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A 12-year-old girl who spent last year’s Olympics selling bracelets to athletes on the foreshore of Teahupo’o shapes as the greatest threat to the likes of Australian Molly Picklum at a break boasting one of the world’s most dangerous waves.

To the average person strolling past the end of the road in Tahiti this time last year they would have been forgiven for thinking Kelia Gallina was just a local excited to have the Olympics in her home town.

The small, blonde haired Tahitian greeted everyone from Olympic staff to athletes with an enormous grin while showcasing the jewellery her and some friends had made from sea shells against the backdrop of a wave that has taken lives.

Unassuming, humble and without the aura of world champions like Gabriel Medina who walked past.

Kelia Gallina in the water at Teahupoo.

Punters were none the wiser but nearly every surfer already knew Gallina, the girl who watched champions crowned but could be a gold medal contender herself by the time the 2028 Olympics arrives.

Check out 6 year old Kelia Gallina/missteahupoo shredding hard. Kelia coming through! pic.twitter.com/jdPywjTfvg
— SurfGirl Mag (@SurfGirlMag) August 17, 2018

Gallina has spent her life moulding her surfing skills in Tahiti, building a profile that has her now affectionately known as Miss Teahupo’o.

She may not have to wait as long to enjoy the same success on the World Surf League’s Championship Tour.

Gallina will compete in this year’s Tahiti Pro after winning a wildcard at the trials and will become the youngest surfer to ever compete in a CT event.

She will face Picklum in her round 1 heat along with US athlete Lakey Peterson.

“Molly is one of my heroes, and I love Lakey’s surfing, so it’s so cool to be competing with them in my first heat,” Gallina said.

“The surf looks solid, so it will be a challenge, but I surf here most days, so I feel comfortable a lot of the time.

“I’m just excited every time the event comes and all of the best come to Teahupo’o, so it’s crazy to be a part of it.”

Kelia Gallina chats to the press.

Kelia Gallina, pictured on the right, with her friends selling seashell jewellery at the 2024 Paris Olympics in Tahiti. Photo: Supplied

It could be just the first of many Tahiti CT events for the girl who played a part in last year’s Olympic opening ceremony given the WSL has just signed a deal to keep it on the world tour until 2027.

Kelia Gallina shows off her skills.

Picklum enters the event ranked number one in the world and is considered one of the best female backhand barrel riders.

“I’ve been here for a little while now, so I’m feeling in the groove,” Picklum said.

“It was nice to have some days of smaller, fun surf to get re-acquainted before it went super massive.

“It looks like we will have more good days coming, so I’m really looking forward to the challenge. I love how much this wave challenges you and how awesome the reward is if you commit.

“I am keen to fix any strategic mistakes I’ve made because I know when I’m surfing my best, my opponents will have to surf their absolute best to beat me.”