Australian Tyler Wright has won her maiden world surfing title sparking emotional scenes on the beach at Hossegor in France.

The 22-year-old claimed the title when her only rival, America's Courtney Conlogue, was toppled in the semi-finals on Thursday (AEDT).

Wright, who took out Tatiana Weston-Webb in her semi-final, would go on to lose to three-time world champ Carissa Moore, who beat Conlogue, in the final but it did not matter.

"There's a lot that's gone into this, a lot of hours. A lot of fun," said Wright, who won four events this year.

A brain injury to older brother Owen has put things in perspective for Australian surfing star Tyler Wright, writes Brittany Carter.

Less well known has been her private battles dealing with the death of her uncle, to whom she promised a world title.

"There's a lot of reasons why I set out to win this world title this year, a lot of reasons I didn't mention to the public," Wright said.

"Last year was such a hectic year, even this year ... I lost an uncle and this was his last event that he ever saw me compete in.

"A lot of emotional moments but pretty much from that moment, I promised him I'd win a world title. And I did.

"And from that point, so many things happened this year. (My family) I just love them so much."

Wright, who has won the past two titles at the Landes break, held a commanding lead heading into the season's penultimate event but, despite reaching the final, had to hold on to her victory dance until the final seconds of the second semi-final.

As she walked down the beach and Conlogue's final wave scores were read out over the loudspeaker, it became clear that the 24-year-old had not done enough to reel in fellow American Moore.

It prompted Australia's six-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore to give the new champion a hug before Wright broke away to raise her arms in triumph.

Wright joins Layne Beachley ('98-'03, '06), Gilmore ('07-'10, '12, '14), Wendy Botha ('88, '89, '91, '92) Chelsea Georgeson ('05), Pauline Menczer ('93) and Phyllis O'Donnell ('64) in the ranks of Australian women who have taken the title.

The Culburra native kicked off the season with victory at Snapper Rocks in March, beating Conlogue in the final as a sign of things to come in the season.

After finishing fifth at Bells Beach the next month, before back-to-back victories at Margaret River and the Rio Pro.

She came back to earth with a thud when compatriot Bethany Hamilton claimed her scalp in round two in Fiji, but her next trophy came in California two tournaments later.

AAP/ABC