India Robinson was aged just 10 when she carried the surfboards of her heroes at Bells Beach. Now, the homegrown surfer is ready to take them on.

Robinson, 21, is a rookie on tour, but the Jan Juc resident has made a big impression in three events so far, ahead of a crack at her local Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach.

Australian India Robinson in action last year at the Roxy Pro France.Credit:World Surf League

Robinson said it wasn’t that long ago she was caddying for some of her idols, including Australian great Mick Fanning, who has returned to Bells Beach as a wildcard in an attempt to win his fifth title.

“I’ve been coming down from a really young age,” Robinson said.

“Surfing Victoria set up a really cool idea for a lot of us groms to board caddy for a lot of [the stars], so I’ve been probably down here from the age of 10 and holding all [their] boards.

“I caddied for Mick. I ended up caddying for all of the big guys, and I couldn’t hold their boards properly. A lot of people I look up to, for sure.”

Now she’s surfing against them and holding her own. She had to pull out of her first event in Hawaii due to injury, but finished fifth at Sunset Beach, and fifth again in Portugal, giving her confidence heading to Bells Beach where she basically learnt how to surf.

“I definitely didn’t cut myself short,” she said.

“I definitely knew I was able to beat some of the girls, and I was good enough. Obviously, they’re more experienced on this bigger stage, so it’s something where I had to just believe in my ability and trust everything that I was doing and good enough.

“I definitely know the wave, it’s my local beach, so I definitely feel comfortable out here, and I’m just excited.”

India Robinson has a kick of the footy before competing in France.Credit:World Surf League

COVID-19 forced Robinson out of Victoria to NSW two years ago, but it was basically the move that set up her career.

“I moved to northern NSW when COVID hit,” she said.

“Everything was starting to shut down and my coach was up there, my trainers, so I finally made the leap to leave home, and it was probably the best thing I could have done for my surfing. I was able to knuckle down for two years and train every single day and put in the work, so it worked out.”

Some supportive words of advice from family friend, Australian pro surfer Nikki Van Dijk, encouraged her to pursue her dream, and now she gets the chance to imagine ringing the bell on one of Australian sport’s most iconic trophies.

“That’s literally every night when I go to bed I, dreaming that I can ring that bell,” she said.

“My coach gave me a little bell, and he’s like, ‘You just remember you’re working towards ringing a bell’. It’s a huge goal of mine and hopefully, it comes true.

“I’ve been working towards this for a long time and to finally be a part of the event, it’s a bit exciting.”

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