Tayla Hanak
Surfing Doctors Profile
Nationality?
 Australian 
Current Position? 
University of Wollongong – Post-graduate medicine program – 3rd-year student.
Education and work experience?
Undergraduate degree, The University of Southern Queensland.
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science. 
Honours: 
Flinders University 
Gut-Brain Axis Research
Current:
The University of Wollongong 
Post-graduate Medicine 
Medical interests
General surgery, emergency medicine, obstetrics. 
 
Local surf spot?
Currently, Culburra Beach.
What is your favourite surf destination?
JBay. 
Travel experience?
Australia – lots of travel in the van. 
America- Califonia, Florida, Hawaii. 
China – Hainan Island.  
Indo – Sumbawa, Mentawai.
Japan – Ichinomiya in Chiba.
Mexico – Cabo, Puerto Escondido, Barra de la Cruz.
New Zealand – Taranaki. 
South Africa – Durban, JBay, Cape Town.
Best surf trip ever?
Mentawai boat trip, age 14, teen heaven. 
Worst surf trip ever?
Mexico – long story. 
What is the best thing about surfing? 
Spending time in the ocean, sharing waves with old and new friends.

Best advice you were ever given with regards to surfing?
The better surfer you become, the more responsibility you have in the water to look out for other surfers and help keep beginners safe. 
Who is your favourite surfer in the world, and why? 
 Paige Alms -Big Wave World Champion.
 Paige consistently pushes the limits of Women’s Big Wave Surfing. She uses her platform to advocate and inspire positive change, exemplified through her work with Equity in Women’s Surfing (CEWS). I resonate with her connection and commitment to our ocean and environment. I see her as a custodian of the planet.
Current go-to surfboards? (make and dims)
Webster Naplam 6’2 x 18 5/8 x 2 5/16, the fluro pink spray makes it go faster.