Last year, Gabriela Bryan (@gabriela_bryan_) became the first rookie to make the WSL midseason cutoff and compete on the Champion Tour. “It was an amazing achievement,” says the 2023 WSL Rookie of the Year. “My fellow rookie class was one of the biggest in a long time, and we pushed each other a lot I think.”
Having a grand group surely helped, but this 20-year-old Kaua‘iborn athlete has been motivated since her father taught her to surf at the age of 4. “I fell in love with surfing the moment I started. It’s something that my family enjoys doing together, so growing up, it was more than just an activity or sport. It was more like a passion,” she says.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HURLEY
“For me, home is where I am happiest, and being happy is the biggest contributor to having a wellness routine that works.” –Gabriela Bryan
Living on the North Shore of Kaua‘i eases Bryan’s approach to living a healthy lifestyle. “It’s so beautiful and warm that it’s easy to get outside and enjoy the sun. The abundance of healthy fruit and vegetables grown locally is a huge benefit to my wellness routine,” she says. Her morning starts with stretching, a glass of celery juice and a surf. Then, back home for breakfast… usually a smoothie, or eggs and avocado.
“I believe the biggest contributors to me feeling my best is when my diet is clean and balanced, I’m spending time in the ocean and surfing, less screen time, being active and exercising, and when I’m surrounded with positivity,” she says. “When I take the little things that I can control, like taking vitamins, moving my body, drinking enough water, less processed food, reading a book instead of scrolling on my phone, and keeping a positive outlook on life, it all adds up.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF HURLEY
“Consistency is hard for some including myself, but soon enough it will turn into healthy habits that you can’t live without.” –Gabriela Bryan
Cross-training at the gym with Kahea Hart is up next on her ideal day, but the type of training is based on how good the waves are each day. Good waves mean more surfing, so training is focused on exercises with low weights and stretching to keep the body aligned. On days with less surfing, the focus is on agility, cardio and strength.
“After a training session, I will relax for a little bit, take my dogs for a walk, eat a snack—usually fruit or a protein shake—and check the waves again for another surf, or just spend time at the beach with my friends or at home with family.”
The year ahead is an exciting time for Bryan as she aims to win a CT event, qualify for the Olympics and keep improving. Competition aside, balancing health and happiness is key for this passionate athlete who fully harnesses the power of the ocean. “Surfing is something I can always count on to make me happy. When I stand up on a wave, I am so in the moment that nothing else matters. I feel it is so important to have something you can go do and take your mind off of everything going on in your day-to-day life. And for me, that is surfing, my happy place.”
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