At 20 years old Mihimana Braye is just beginning his quest as a professional surfer. Born in Pape'ete, Tahiti, and raised on a steady diet of reef breaks, he's lived up to his name, which in Tahitian, means "Try to find the spirit," (Mihi means search, mana means spirit, power). Following a runner-up finish at the SEAT Pro Netanya in Israel, Braye seems to be on the right track.
Mihimana Braye smashes the lip during 2016 World Junior Championship.
WSL: If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Why?
Braye: Home! Tahiti is one of the beautiful places in the world so why change? No season! Perfect waves, only boardshorts, best food, best sunsets and good vibes (It's paradise!).
WSL: Best compliment you've ever gotten?
Braye: Best compliment I've ever got is that I'm humble and kind, always smiling, spreading the good vibes no matter what. It's a culture for us Tahitians to be kind with people and welcoming.
Mihimana Braye at the recent SEAT Pro Netanya. - WSL / Laurent Masurel
WSL: Do you lean toward perfect crowded waves or uncrowded average waves?
Braye: Crowded perfect waves...I would say Teahupo'o but we are locals, so it's not that crowded haha! And an empty average wave Taapuna, a left reefbreak near my house.
WSL: When was the last time you teared up?
Braye: Last time I cried was a [few weeks ago] at the WSL SEAT Pro Netanya, I came in 2nd in the Final of the QS1500 and all the local people from Netanya chaired me up the beach. It was emotional for me. I feel blessed.
Mihimana Braye competes in Israel. - WSL / Laurent Masurel
WSL: What's one of the secrets to your recent success?
Braye: I'm vegetarian right now and I can feel the difference in my body. I used to eat fast food before like an animal haha. Now, only veggies and some fish from Tahiti.
WSL: What's the last song you listened to?
Braye: The last was Me, Myself and I of G-Easy. It reminds me all my hard work at the gym and motivate me a lot. It's my pre-heat warmup song also.
Despite being from Tahiti, Mihimana Braye's small-wave game is on point. - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Mihimana Braye goes above the lip. - WSL / Laurent Masurel
WSL: What's one thing you wish you could try?
Braye: I really want to try snowboarding because I been all around the world, but never touched the snow and I love board sports.
Mihimana Braye fans it out. - WSL / Poullenot/Aquashot
WSL: Describe your idea of perfect happiness.
Braye: Perfect happiness means for me to be good with myself first. Then do what you love. Surround [yourself] by good people, family love. Be healthy and, for sure, surfing perfect waves.
Mihimana Braye goes vertical in Israel. - WSL / Laurent Masurel
WSL: Describe your meaning of life.
Braye: For me the meaning of life is four words: happiness, love, health and surf. Live the life you love.
Meet Tahiti's newest threat, Mihimana Braye
WSL
At 20 years old Mihimana Braye is just beginning his quest as a professional surfer. Born in Pape'ete, Tahiti, and raised on a steady diet of reef breaks, he's lived up to his name, which in Tahitian, means "Try to find the spirit," (Mihi means search, mana means spirit, power). Following a runner-up finish at the SEAT Pro Netanya in Israel, Braye seems to be on the right track.
WSL: If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Why?
Braye: Home! Tahiti is one of the beautiful places in the world so why change? No season! Perfect waves, only boardshorts, best food, best sunsets and good vibes (It's paradise!).
WSL: Best compliment you've ever gotten?
Braye: Best compliment I've ever got is that I'm humble and kind, always smiling, spreading the good vibes no matter what. It's a culture for us Tahitians to be kind with people and welcoming.
WSL: Do you lean toward perfect crowded waves or uncrowded average waves?
Braye: Crowded perfect waves...I would say Teahupo'o but we are locals, so it's not that crowded haha! And an empty average wave Taapuna, a left reefbreak near my house.
WSL: When was the last time you teared up?
Braye: Last time I cried was a [few weeks ago] at the WSL SEAT Pro Netanya, I came in 2nd in the Final of the QS1500 and all the local people from Netanya chaired me up the beach. It was emotional for me. I feel blessed.
WSL: What's one of the secrets to your recent success?
Braye: I'm vegetarian right now and I can feel the difference in my body. I used to eat fast food before like an animal haha. Now, only veggies and some fish from Tahiti.
WSL: What's the last song you listened to?
Braye: The last was Me, Myself and I of G-Easy. It reminds me all my hard work at the gym and motivate me a lot. It's my pre-heat warmup song also.
WSL: What's one thing you wish you could try?
Braye: I really want to try snowboarding because I been all around the world, but never touched the snow and I love board sports.
WSL: Describe your idea of perfect happiness.
Braye: Perfect happiness means for me to be good with myself first. Then do what you love. Surround [yourself] by good people, family love. Be healthy and, for sure, surfing perfect waves.
WSL: Describe your meaning of life.
Braye: For me the meaning of life is four words: happiness, love, health and surf. Live the life you love.
Mihimana Braye
Tahiti's perennial powerhouse Mihimana Braye unleashed his hammer forehand attack to earn an 8.00 and join fellow Tahitians into the Round
Men's top seeds debut in absolutely dominant form from Eli Hanneman to Tahiti's own Kauli Vaast and more.
Tahitians thrive, Challenger Series rise and fall, and Avatoru dishes out the goods on opening day.
Final Challenger Series Spots on the Line in Paradise
The culmination of Hawaii/Tahiti Nui's QS season looms with the Air Tahiti Rangiroa Pro starting March 3 - 7. See who's ready.
News
Featuring John John Florence, Jack Robinson, Kolohe Andino, Filipe Toledo, Stephanie Gilmore, Ryan Callinan, Jeremy Flores, Italo Ferreira,
The most anticipated Pro Junior on the Australia/Oceania calendar returns to Lennox Head July 3-8, 2025.
Burleigh Heads provided one last day of spectacle to crown Filipe Toledo and Bettylou Sakura Johnson the 2025 Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro
From start to finish, the world's best and elite wildcards delivered absolute stunners leading up to Bettylou Sakura Johnson and Filipe
The Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWM conclusion left everyone wanting more after crowning Filipe Toledo and Bettylou Sakura Johnson