Felicity Palmateer is a Professional Surfer, Artist & Conservationist, from Australia. In 2015, she rode the biggest wave ever ridden by a female Australian surfer at Cowaramup Bombora off the coast of Margaret River, south of Perth. Since then there has been no stopping and she has been chasing bigger and higher waves. Felicity Palmateer talks about her passion for surfing and what it takes to be a professional one, exclusively on Women Fitness.
Namita Nayyar:
You are a Professional Surfer, Artist & Conservationist. How do these roles define you?
Felicity Palmateer:
Surfing has played the biggest role in my life and most of my decisions are based around surfing – where I live, who I spend my time with, my itinerary, training schedule, diet and so forth. I enjoy being really fit and a day does not go by where I am not checking the surf or planning for it in some way. And surfing is where I draw much of my inspiration from with regards to my art. The colours I use, mediums and the images I am inspired by have largely been coastal or ocean related. I have held two solo exhibitions and have a few commercial collaborations at the moment – with Nudie Juice, Billabong and iBark (phone covers). My next project includes an audio-visual element, photography and art and has been two years in the making. Stay tuned! The conservation stuff is usually all marine-based too. Understanding and helping to preserve marine life is a passion. I was included on a shark-savers mission to the Galapagos, travelled to the Seychelles where some ground-breaking reef restoration science is underway, have visited the Great Barrier Reef as a guest of Tropical North Queensland, and participate regularly in fundraising work with SurfAid International. All that and more keeps me very busy! And it’s all based around my love for surfing.
Namita Nayyar:
Your workout routine?
Felicity Palmateer:
When I’m home, I train at Elevation Fitness on the Gold Coast and they have great facilities. Including an altitude room, where you can work out at reduced oxygen levels. Nam Baldwin has been a big influence for me, in the past 24 months, he trains lots of surfers including World Champions Mick Fanning and Steph Gilmore, and it was Nam who helped me prep for the Big Wave events at Jaws. Before Hawaii each year I’ll usually include pool training and B.E.T. (breath enhancement training). Recovery is important, I’ll hit the P3 sports recovery centre when I’m finished at the gym and alternate between hot and cold pools. On the road, I’ll do running, stairs, various body weight exercises and stretch. But usually when I’m home is where I’ll put in the work.
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Namita Nayyar:
Best workout place: Gym or outdoors?
Felicity Palmateer:
I love a combination of both! You can’t beat some sunshine on the bod and fresh air in your lungs, but obviously, a decent gym has the apparatus and accessories that enable you to focus on specific parts of the body. Handy when the weather is rainy or cold too! I’m not a fan of crowded gyms but you take what you can get!
Namita Nayyar:
In 2015, you rode the biggest wave ever ridden by a female Australian surfer at Cowaramup Bombora. How would you describe the experience?
Felicity Palmateer:
It wasn’t my intention to go and ride the biggest waves ever surfed by an Aussie female, so for me it kind of just felt like I was going for another surf. Especially being from WA I knew a lot of the other guys in the line up so it made me feel really comfortable. But I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t scared. It was forecasted to be the biggest swell to hit Australia in a long time so I was definitely nervous. Once I came in from the surf, the real shock was seeing photos starting to pop and I could actually start to see how big it really was.
Namita Nayyar:
Your breakfast comprises of?
Felicity Palmateer:
I often start the day with some fresh lemon juice squeezed into warm water, maybe a pinch of salt. A mouthful of apple cider vinegar is a good digestion aid too. I am a MASSIVE avocado fan; my boyfriend calls me the avocado monster. So, I’ll spread avo on some toast (wheat and gluten free bread if possible), add a bit of feta and tomato. I’m lucky enough to have Nudie juices delivered to my door when I’m home in Australia and a tonne of coconut yoghurt, so I’m always smashing Nudie products. Not a day passes where I don’t drink a juice or smoothie. When I travel overseas, I’ll buy organic wherever possible. And COFFEE! Can’t get moving without my double shot almond cap. A walk and coffee and surf check, then breakkie!
Namita Nayyar:
Your surf inspiration role model?
Felicity Palmateer:
There is something inspirational to be found in every surfer (or person). Personally, I get a lot of enjoyment out of watching someone new having a go at surfing for the first time and recognising all those feelings and sensations that they experience. That’s really cool! It reminds me of the fundamental sensations that make surfing special. Performance inspiration comes from watching the very best. Last year in particular when I was competing at jaws. The performances by surfers like Aussie Ryan Hipwood, Brazilian Lucas Chumbo and eventual winner Ian Walsh, were ground breaking – and it helped make the Invitational the best big wave event ever. I also travelled to Indonesia last year with Maui surfer Kai Lenny and gained a true appreciation for how talented he really is. He surfs everything from kites to foils, tow boards, S.U.P.s and he looks like he’s having fun in every condition, from 1ft – 50ft. The level of surfing now on the men’s world tour is amazing too. And now that Joel Parkinson is retiring, I’d say my new men’s is Griffin Colapinto. I also can’t go past Steph Gilmore’s style.
Namita Nayyar:
Other than surfing, what other projects are you working on this year?
Felicity Palmateer:
It’s taken some time, and has actually been a little frustrating but I’ve finally decided on what I’ll be doing for my next art exhibition. It will be a combination of photography, painting and include an audio-visual component. If I can combine the content the way I’d like to, I am confident it will be extremely memorable, not to mention the culmination of a lot of hard work. There are still many phases of production to work through, but slow and steady wins the race!
Namita Nayyar:
Favourite beach destinations to surf?
Felicity Palmateer:
It’s hard for me to go past a few surf spots in WA. Nothing beats surfing at home with friends and family. WA is so raw and beautiful and still so untouched. If I had to pick somewhere overseas it would be Tahiti. It has amazing surf, some of the clearest, cleanest water and the pace of life there is something I could really get used too.
Namita Nayyar:
What does Women Fitness mean to you?
Felicity Palmateer:
I’ve got a new-found love for living a balanced life at whatever my healthy weight may be. Learning to listen to and read the obvious and subtle signs my body gives me has been really crucial for me over the last year and trying not to be too hard on myself. Self acceptance and self belief are very important states of mind.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you like to spend your days off?
Felicity Palmateer:
I don’t really have any particular “day off”. I’m either focusing on some aspect of my surfing or art, or having down time. So I guess if I am in “Cruise Mode” and having some down time, it’s more about keeping things slow and doing what feels right in order to recharge. So that would mean not travelling. Just staying in one place for a few days or a week. Travelling is generally quite disruptive.
Namita Nayyar:
Favorite swimwear brands?
Felicity Palmateer:
Billabong, of course!
Namita Nayyar:
Top 5 things you carry while going on a surf?
Felicity Palmateer:
- Surfboards! (By Lost/Mayhem).
- Creatures of Leisure legrope and deck grip.
- Good bikini (that doesn’t slide or move too much) or a wet-suit (By Billabong of course!)
- A towel.
- Good company.
Namita Nayyar:
Myths about surfing that need to be busted?
Felicity Palmateer:
Sharks are predatory, human killing machines and if you enter the water, you will be eaten. No, they’re not. Unfortunately, people are sometimes injured, often severely and some fatally, as a result of a shark interaction. Undoubtedly, some sharks do intentionally attack humans, but this is not cause for their elimination. Surfing is a relatively safe sport and I’m sure if we knew how often sharks are actually checking us out from below, it would waylay much of the uncertainty, blame and unpredictability we project upon their species. Statistically it’s human beings who are the most dangerous, predatory species on Earth! Localism is bad. It’s not! Parochial localism is often shunned these days, but local surfers should be respected and such dynamics encouraged. Hawaii is the prime example. It’s the travelling tourists, beginners and the overly enthusiastic who are most likely to interfere and get in the way when visiting a new surf spot. Just because the ocean is “free” it doesn’t mean you should be able to paddle out at a new spot and take the next wave. Locals are usually the most experienced at any particular spot, have surfed the break in every conceivable condition and thereby deserve the best waves on the best days. They’ve put in their time and have earned it. It’s usually the locals who help keep the beach clean and form the fabric of the community and local culture you are visiting. So, slow down, wait, observe, be respectful and let the locals have their share. If you’re lucky, you’ll be next in line. But don’t just show up and expect the next wave. Respect those who have been there longer than you.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you create a balance while using social media?
Felicity Palmateer:
Social media comes pretty natural to me. I guess the job I have takes me to some pretty amazing and exotic places so it’s not hard to take a few snaps and upload them while I’m on the road. Although sometimes I find that I am spending way too much time on my phone and I just need some space to disconnect from everything and go for a surf. It’s one of the reasons I love surfing so much. There’s no distractions, it’s just you and the ocean and it’s easy to become totally lost in the moment and reconnect with nature.
Namita Nayyar:
Message for your 171K followers on Instagram?
Felicity Palmateer:
Be true to yourself and don’t take life too seriously.
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All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http:// www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2018 Women Fitness