A win at the final event of the New Zealand Grom Series has led to Whakatāne teen surfer rubbing shoulders with some of the best surfers in the world.

Louis Macquet claimed the under-14 title at the final grom series event in Gisborne earlier in June – his first win of the season after previous third- and fifth-place finishes.

He was one of nine selected for a special session with World Surf League professionals during the Corona Cero New Zealand Pro, which began in Raglan last weekend.

The session gives him the opportunity to surf with and ask questions of some of the world’s best surfers.

Among those competing in Raglan are Gabriel Medina, Griffin Colapinto, Carissa Moore and Stephanie Gilmore.

“I’m very lucky. They’re the best in the world, so I’m really lucky,” Macquet said.

Macquet began surfing alongside his mum in Wellington at age eight.

He later received surf lessons for his birthday from his aunt, who lives in Taranaki, and has been hooked on the sport ever since.

“I caught a few waves and just got hooked,” he said.

He spent his early years surfing at Lyall Bay in Wellington before moving to Whakatāne about four years ago, and said his surfing progressed quickly in Wellington despite the colder conditions.

“Wellington was super cold, but the waves are better.”

Closer to home, Louis said West End was his favourite Eastern Bay surf break, while The Heads could also produce quality waves when the conditions lined up.

“The Heads sometimes pumps, but it’s not that consistent.”

Marquet estimates he has competed in about 10 events, with a Bay Boardriders’ event being the first competition he entered after a friend encouraged him to give it a go.

“I like to compete, and I’m competitive, so I actually kind of got into that.”

Among his favourite places to surf are Gisborne, Whangamatā, Ōhope and Raglan.

He said surfing takes up much of his spare time, with sessions after school and on weekends whenever conditions allow.

When asked whether surfing took up too much time, he laughed and said: “I wish it could take up more time.”

Macquet also credits Trident High School for supporting his surfing with school training sessions and trips away for surf competitions.

Looking back on his recent win in Gisborne, he believes confidence was a major factor.

“I probably picked better waves, picked the right waves and stuck to my strengths.”

He hopes surfing will remain part of his life for many years.

“It’s a pretty cool sport, and I hope to keep doing it for a long time.”