Mia is your quintessential Aussie surfer girl with a free spirit, positive attitude and a willingness to take chances. Raised by salt of the earth parents , both from Portland in South West Victoria, Mia has the ocean running through her veins. Growing up on the surf coast of Victoria and perfecting her skills in crisp offshore conditions alongside her two younger sisters, Mia knows the struggle of surfing in cold, heavy water. Later moving to Queensland, Mia was able to gain invaluable experience in what could be considered Austalia’s surfing Mecca.
At only 21years of age, Mia has so far lived a life that many could only dream of. Travelling, surfing and competing, all with her close knit family by her side. But, chasing waves for a living is not without its challenges.
We chat to Mia about her early life, her professional surfing career and the new adventure she’s embarked on with her partner, Eli. It’s well worth a read if you’re looking for some inspiration today.
Q. Mia, tell our readers a little bit about yourself, where did you grow up and how did you get into surfing?
A. I’m originally from Jan Juc Victoria, but we moved up to the Gold Coast as a family about 4 years ago. My dad was lucky enough to be one of the many surfers Pete Robertson (RIP) took under his wing and shared the love of surfing. And as soon as dad had us he shared the love of the ocean and surfing with us.
Mia kneeling into a sleek bottom turn, Image: Charlotte Eckebus
Q. Having lived in both Victoria and Queensland (QLD), how do they compare in terms of wave options, weather, people, and how has your surfing evolved since moving to QLD?
A. Qld is easy, it’s pleasant to surf and it’s quick to access. You can grab your board drive 5 minutes and walk out, surf for an hour, and then go home. You’ve had an hour surf in pretty good conditions and only been gone for an hour and 10 mins.
Victoria is a little more rugged! You’ve got to be keen and you’ve got to embrace the cold, going out in a wet Wetsuit most of the time. You’re probably getting more consistent bigger swell but it just takes more commitment and energy.
I’m not sure which one’s better. We often miss home (VIC) but QLD is always sunny and nice. It also definitely helps to be on the Gold Coast for opportunities within the surfing industry, as everything and everyone is here.
Q. Surfing has been such a huge part of your life. Growing up in a surfing family and pursuing it at a professional level, take us through what your competitive surfing journey has been like and where you are at with that now.
A. My competitive surfing journey has taken me to some really cool places like Nias, Krui, Taiwan, and Portugal to name a few. The people you get to travel with and meet and the waves you surf are all so much fun. I finished 5th in the overall rankings in 2023 and 2024 in the open women’s in Australia. After this I took a little break to complete my Osteopathy degree. I have now finished my degree, and with the boat (more on this below) I’d potentially love to sail to a few of the Indo comps and compete in them.
Mia loves anything in and around the ocean
Q. Can you share your experience on the QS? The good, the bad and ugly?
The QS and that side of surfing can be really taxing. You’re away a lot, you miss out on what a lot of people would say are normal things a kid would do. Competing is hard and draining mentally, I find. I can put a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself which makes me flip out! I haven’t quite learnt to harness it yet, whereas my sister Isla, that’s her super power. It’s definitely not for everyone, but it takes you to amazing places with likeminded people surfing pretty good waves, so I don’t think I can complain to much.
Q. Who are your biggest surfing influences?
A. My biggest surfing influences would have to be the family. Dad (Marcus) who is our number one supporter and mentor. Also, my little sisters Isla and Anna, who continually push me every day.
Q. You've recently purchased a yacht with dreams of sailing and chasing waves and you're documenting the journey on social media. Take us through the journey so far and when you'll set off on your maiden voyage?
A. We’ve had the boat for three months and it’s full a restoration project! We were told it only needed a new starter motor however that was a lie! We have completed a full engine rebuild, which was crazy, but we learnt so much. We need to re-run the electrical and pretty much refit the entire boat and paint everything. We had to remove an entire marine ecosystem and barnacles about as thick as your forearm. I’d say we are about 35% completed at the moment and our goal is to begin sailing south at the start of the new year. We hope to find little islands to surf and spearfish as we go and one day sail and surf some of the comps.
Q. Have you sailed before or are you learning as you go? Any advice for our readers that have dreamed of doing the same thing?
My partner Eli and I have bought this 45ft ketch sailboat with no sailing experience! We have a basic understanding of sailing now but we knew nothing going into it. There’s been so many people reach out to share their knowledge and help us through the last three months, we are so grateful for that.
My advice for anyone wanting to do the same: as long as you’re willing to put the work in, just do it! It’ll never be a perfect time.
Mia and Eli taking the boat for a test run
Q. You have a close connection with South West Victoria, tell us about that:
A. Both my parents are from Portland in South West Victoria, so we have a really special connection there. My grandparents are all still there, Mumps has a farm in the area with what we call “the shack”. We stay there when we visit. The raw rugged conditions, beautiful coastline and waves are something we look forward to every year, and we can’t wait to surf. I think being around conditions that South West Vic puts you in is definitely part of what drew us to purchasing this boat. With dreams of finding more places like it.
Q. Favorite place to surf and why?
A. My all time favourite place to surf so far has been Fiji. I loved it there! The warm, crystal clear water and the surf was awesome and the people are legends.
Words By: Mia Huppatz @miahuppatz
Story/Edit By: Kylie Palmer @the.slablab.store
