Riding High, While Staying Grounded
From the crystal-clear waves of Fingal Head to the world stage in El Salvador, Dane Henry has quickly become one of Australia’s brightest young surfers. The Tweed Coast local has already claimed both the ISA World Junior Title and the Men’s Open Title, proving he’s a force in competitive surfing. But beyond the backflips, the adrenaline and the podiums, what
people are most drawn to is his humility, his mindset and the quiet, steady love he has for home. When we caught up with Dane, it became clear that while he may be travelling the world and landing manoeuvres most of us can only dream of, his heart is still right here on the Tweed.
When he gets home after a long stretch abroad, the first thing Dane does isn’t glamorous or surprising,it’s grounding. He goes straight to see his parents and siblings, settling back in with a debrief and a home-cooked meal. After that, he slips into the Sharpeye AUS factory to dissect the trip and talk boards, a passion that seems to light him up as much as surfing itself. And once the surf talk winds down, he heads to his girlfriend’s place for some proper downtime. “We just cruise or go to the beach. It gets me away from surfing for a bit, which is nice after being so locked in.”
Of course, with Dane, the conversation always circles back to what happens in the water. Lately, that includes the backflip, the aerial that has made him impossible to ignore. When asked what it feels like to land one, he smiles like someone replaying a moment he never gets tired of. “In a comp, with eyes on me, the adrenaline is unreal. Every time I land one, I think of young Dane and how stoked he’d be to know it’s possible.” It’s a reminder that even though he’s pushing the future of surfing, the kid inside him still gets the loudest cheer.
That sense of belief in himself is something Dane has fine-tuned over time. Before heading to El Salvador, he told TCL, confidently but calmly, that he would take home both the World Junior and Men’s Open titles. And he did exactly that!
“My support system is massive,” he says. “I’ve learnt to surround myself with the people who are best for me. When the people close to you believe in you, turning that belief into results becomes so much easier.” It’s not bravado, it’s alignment, backed by a community that has poured into him since he was a kid.
These days, when he’s not travelling, Dane keeps things rooted at home. He’s spent plenty of time in the
Coolangatta scene, but home is where he feels most himself. Fingal. Kingscliff. The waves he grew up on. The coffee cart at Chinderah. “Kath at KK’s is a big supporter of mine,” he says. “It’s always nice to go get a good coffee and have a chat.”
And then there’s the community that raised him — something Dane talks about with genuine gratitude. “I have been in Kingscliff Boardriders my whole life and that club is a massive part of my growth into the person and surfer I am today,” he says. “Guys like Mitch James, Brad King, Chooky, Micah
Margo and all the families we’re close with and see at every Boardriders are such a great support group for me.”
His circle extends beyond the local crew, too. “I’ve been lucky enough to be part of the Surfing Aus program and I’m really close with a lot of people in there,” he adds. Through that program, he connected with coach Adam Dufner (“Duf”), someone who’s been by his side for some of his biggest moments this year. And then there’s his dad, the person who has shaped him the most.
“My main mentor and role model is my father. He’s originally from Raglan and rips. He’s my biggest critic and supporter and without him I wouldn’t be anywhere near the surfer or person I am today. He came to every grom comp he could and coached me to every result I’ve ever had. My dream is to get on the CT and have Dad and Duf by my side for every big moment in my career.”
It’s not just talent that’s driving Dane forward, it’s the mindset behind it. He grew up in a family where independence and resilience were part of daily life, and those qualities shaped how he approaches competition. “Surfing is such a mentally draining sport,” he says. “I’m naturally competitive, and I’ve always believed I could excel at whatever I choose to do.”
He has rituals that keep him steady, including a pre-heat stretch routine and a mantra he repeats to himself. It changes from time to time, but the current one is: “Workboots, get the job done.” It’s simple, gritty and very Dane. When he finds his rhythm, everything clicks, though he’s also working on performing even when that flow state doesn’t come easily.
Surfing has also taught him how to navigate life beyond the water, especially the importance of adaptability and the value of a strong inner circle. Travelling so much has shown him who lifts him up, and who doesn’t. “My friendship group is smaller now, but it’s made me a better person,” he says.
Ask him where he sees himself in ten years and he grins, but his answer comes with certainty. “I’ll be a world champion. Whether it’s one title or multiple, it’s not if, it’s when.” He imagines he’ll be engaged or married, maybe thinking about kids, and hopes he’ll have earned a business degree along the way. And he’s already thinking ahead to giving back, coaching local groms around the Tweed and beyond, passing on the knowledge he’s gathered from years on the road.
For now, Dane is enjoying the ride, the hard work, the travel, the community, the quiet moments and
the feeling of coming home to the Tweed Coast, where everything settles back into place. He’s one of the
country’s most exciting young surfers, but he’s also just Dane: grounded, driven, grateful and always ready for whatever the next set brings.
