She is currently the only female surfer actively surfing in Port Vila and the only female participant at a recent training camp.

Her international journey began with an impressive performance at an Oceania surf camp in Fiji last year.

At just 13 years old, Taleo claimed a silver medal in her first international-level competition, immediately demonstrating her potential against surfers from across the region.

For Taleo, surfing is more than a sport. She says riding the waves at Pango brings her joy and peace, and she is proud to now carry that passion onto the world stage.

As she prepares to compete against some of the world’s best young surfers, Taleo said she is excited about the opportunity to gain experience and learn from elite international athletes.

She also has a message for young girls in Vanuatu: be confident, believe in yourselves and pursue your dreams.

Coach Ben Johnson said the focus of the trip is not only on competition but also on developing Taleo’s skills and confidence to compete at a higher international level.

Before the championships begin, Taleo will take part in a six-day workshop with international coaches. Johnson said the workshop will provide an opportunity to strengthen her technical skills, build confidence and help her adjust to the hot conditions in El Salvador.

He hopes Taleo will take as much experience and positivity as possible from the competition and bring those lessons back to Vanuatu to share with her friends and the wider surfing community.

Although her heats have yet to be determined, Johnson expects Taleo to face tough competition from surfers around the world.

“She will be facing some tough surfers from around the world,” Johnson said, adding that his main hope is for Taleo to perform to the best of her ability and gain valuable international experience.

Vanuatu Surfing Association President Michael Barthelmess said it was a positive development to see a young female surfer representing Vanuatu at a world championship.

“It’s really positive to see a young female surfer representing her country on the world stage,” Barthelmess said.

He hopes Taleo’s participation will inspire other young people, particularly girls, to take an interest in surfing.

“Surfing is a great sport that encourages a healthy lifestyle and is a fun activity accessible to all youths to try,” he said.

Barthelmess described Taleo as already being a role model and said he was looking forward to watching her compete for Vanuatu.

He said there has already been interest from other girls, and with greater training and commitment, he hopes Taleo will have more female surfers alongside her in the category next year.

Barthelmess also highlighted the importance of developing Taleo both as an athlete and as a young leader.

“Emily is a very smart young woman and a dedicated surfer who has skills, but there has to be discipline, health and other essential paths of life,” he said.

“We are not only making an athlete out of her, but also producing a good president of Vanuatu.”

The Vanuatu Surfing Association acknowledged the support of private-sector sponsors, including Vanuatu Ferry, Dinh Van Tu, Loic Dinh and Titan FX, as well as other supporters who have helped make Taleo’s international campaign possible.

The association also thanked VASANOC for its assistance in organising the trip.

For Taleo, the journey to El Salvador is an opportunity to test herself, learn from experienced surfers and inspire others back home.

As Vanuatu’s lone female surfer on this international campaign, she hopes her appearance at the ISA World Junior Championships will encourage more girls to take up surfing and follow their own dreams.

The competition in El Salvador will be a major learning experience for the young Pango surfer, but whatever the result, Taleo has already made history by stepping onto the world stage and showing that young women from Vanuatu can compete among the best.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST