Surfer Sierra Kerr qualifies for elite tour after Lyme disease battle

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 06:38 · Archive

Australian junior world champion Sierra Kerr has qualified for the World Surf League's Championship Tour after recovering from Lyme disease.

Australian teenager Sierra Kerr has qualified for the World Surf League's Championship Tour after recovering from Lyme disease, a tick-borne bacterial infection that left her unable to walk.

Kerr, 19, was struck down by the illness following her junior world titles in the Philippines in January 2025. Between February and April, she was out of the water completely with neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms. After multiple hospital visits and misdiagnoses, she was diagnosed with Lyme disease in October. Doctors in the United States helped her find answers after she was unable to get clarity in Australia.

She has since relearned to surf and returned to competition. Kerr finished third in the Challenger Series event in Ribeira d'Ilhas, Portugal on Monday, which secured her enough points as the rankings leader to lock down a spot on the Championship Tour in 2027. She achieved five top ten finishes this year, including victories at the US Open of Surfing and the Galicia Pro in Spain in August, making her the first woman to secure a Championship Tour position.

Kerr, daughter of former professional surfer Josh Kerr, was embraced by her father on the beach after her qualification was confirmed.

How it is being reported

• 'It's been hard': Surf star's success after illnessAfter battling debilitating illness last year, Australia's former junior world champion Sierra Kerr has clinched a spot on the World Surf League's premier tour.Perth Now · 13 Oct, 06:02
• 'It's been hard': Surf star's success after illnessAfter battling debilitating illness last year, Australia's former junior world champion Sierra Kerr has clinched a spot on the World Surf League's premier tour.The West Australian · 13 Oct, 06:02

In this story: Sierra Kerr · Josh Kerr · World Surf League · Australia · Portugal · Philippines · United States · Spain

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