Sally Fitzgibbons is an Australian professional surfer on the Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour (2009 – 2013). She was born in Gerroa, NSW Australia. Sally started surfing around six years old, but surfing wasn’t the only sport she was enthusiastic about. She represented her State and Australia on 14 occasions in a number of different sports, including athletics – winning gold at the (2007 Australian Youth Olympic Festival) 800m and 1500m – touch football, soccer, surfing and cross-country running, while attending Kiama High School.
As a surfer, Sally had her first significant results at the age of 14, becoming the youngest surfer to win an ASP Pro Junior (Under 21’s) event, also finishing second at the World Qualifying Series (WQS) Billabong Easter Girls Festival on the same day. She continued to set records throughout her junior years, winning the Australasian Pro Junior Series in 2007 and again in 2008. At 15, Sally represented Australia at the International Surfing Association (ISA) U18 World Surfing Titles in Brazil placing second; at 16, she traveled to Portugal for the ISA U18 World Titles to win her first World Title and backed it up the following year winning both the Billabong ASP U21 World Title and the ISA World Games Open Title.
In her first attempt to reach the Women’s elite World Surfing Tour via the World Qualifying Series, Sally set a record by wrapping up the 2008 WQS series in the first five events, becoming the youngest World Surfing Tour qualifier in ASP history. 2009 saw Sally finish fifth on the World Surfing Tour in her rookie year, with a win at the Portugal WQS event along the way.
In 2010 Sally was runner up in three ASP Women’s World Tour events, and finished the year as runner up to Stephanie Gilmore in the 2010 ASP Women’s World Title.
On 23 April 2011, Sally won her first ASP World Tour event, defeating Carissa Moore in the final of the 50th Anniversary Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach to ring the Bell and announce her arrival as genuine world title contender. A week later Sally went back-to-back, winning her second ASP World Tour event at the Subaru Pro in Taranaki, New Zealand, once again defeating Carissa Moore in the final. With this win Sally took the lead in the 2011 ASP World Tour rankings.
In August 2011, Sally won her third ASP World Tour event, defeating Lakey Peterson in the final of the US Open of Surf in California, USA. Sally finished the season runner up to Carissa Moore, in the 2011 ASP Women’s World Title. Sally also won the 6-Star event Swatch Girls Pro France in 2011.
In February, 2012, Sally won the first ever Australian Open after defeating 2004 World Champion Sofia Mulanovich. In the process Sally became the first person to hold the US and Australian Open titles at the same time.
At the 2012 ASP World Surfing Awards Sally claimed three trophies. The first was for finishing runner-up in the 2011 World Tour. Sally’s second award was for Women’s ASP Heat of the Year, which was awarded to Sally and Carissa Moore by their fellow competitors. Finally Sally won the ASP Surfers’ Surfer, another peer-voted award.
In March 2012 Sally won the 6-star event, the Hunter Ports Women’s Classic during Surfest at Merewether Beach, Newcastle, Australia. Sally defeated Malia Manuel in the final. In April Sally took out the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, Australia, beating four-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore in the final. This meant back-to-back wins at Bells for Sally. May saw Sally win the Billabong Rio Pro in Brazil. Sally came up against Coco Ho in the final and victory took her World Tour event win tally to five, and also gave her a runner-up world title finish for the third consecutive year, an achievement she is truly proud of.
In the first event of 2013 Sally finished runner-up at the Roxy Pro in Queensland Aust. Sally made the final in Rio de Janeiro once more in May, but again finished runner-up.
Heading in to the final European leg of the tour the world title was just out of Sally’s grasp, but she set herself the goal to send a message that she was going to be ready for 2014. With a win at the Roxy Pro in France, and a runner-up to new world champ Carissa Moore in Portugal, Sally finished third in the world, with the highest average heat scores for the year, and did exactly what she wanted to.
Behind The Smile, Sally’s biopic, has just been released, showcasing the last year in Sal’s life and showing what will be required to fulfil her dream of one day becoming World Champion. As well as her title hopes Sally’s desire to travel the world and be the best athlete she can be remains as strong as ever… bring on 2014!
ASP Women’s World Tour Wins
| Year | Event Venue | Country |
| 2011 | Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach, Victoria | Australia |
| 2011 | Subaru Pro TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival Taranaki | New Zealand |
| 2011 | Nike US Open of Surf Huntington Beach, California | United States |
| 2012 | Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach, Victoria | Australia |
| 2012 | Billabong Rio Pro Rio de Janeiro | Brazil |
| 2013 | Roxy Pro France Hossegor | France |
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Sally Fitzgibbons professional Australian surfer ISA World Champion and winner of number of ASP Women’s World Tours in surfing. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You begun surfing at an early age of six years and reached the pinnacle of success by winning a number of competitions like Roxy Pro France 2013, Billabong Pro Rio de Janeiro 2012, Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach 2012 and Nike US Open of Surf 2011 in professional surfing. Tell us about your journey in the professional surfing career and what factors you consider were responsible that made you achieve that?
Ms. Sally Fitzgibbons:
Surfing was a way of life in our small beach side town of Gerroa and being the younger sister of my three brothers it was so natural for me to pick up any sports they were playing. My Dad and Brothers were really into their surfing and I wanted to be in it and hang down the beach, so I kept nagging them until they taught me to surf at age 6. I did my first professional junior (Under 21 division) event when I was 14 and won it, I was absolutely over the moon.
I put my prize money into going halves with my oldest brother in a Sea-Doo PWC to further my training. I was one happy grom thats for sure. It was a great build up through my amateur ranks to get that first professional win. I competed in a lot of events up and down the east coast of Australia with my family travelling and supporting me, which I’m very thankful for.
So I guess the main factors for succeeding were the competitive instinct I got from my brothers and the support of my parents who tirelessly took me to training driving me thousands of kilometres around Australia and eventually around the World. I can’t remember Mum or Dad ever saying No to any of my requests or ideas. They even let me go to China to play soccer when I was 11 even though it was an under 16’s team and I was the smallest player selected
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
When you were in Kiama High School you represented your State and Australia on 14 occasions in a number of different sports, including athletics – winning gold at the (2007 Australian Youth Olympic Festival) 800m and 1500m, touch football, soccer, surfing and cross-country. What was the catalyst that made you focus and pursue the career in surfing?
Ms. Sally Fitzgibbons:
I loved all the sports growing up for different reasons. The decision was forced upon me when representative fixtures starting clashing and my junior career in surfing was already established and going well with major partners like Roxy and Red Bull so the decision was a natural one as I could see my path to the top of the surfing world. I still value running as an integral part of my daily routine and I regularly start the day with a run in the dark before my morning surf.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you shall like to share?
Ms. Sally Fitzgibbons:
My blueprint for competing and preparation leading into competition puts me in a great mind set leading into the event. I have a routine and just monitor how my body is feeling and weigh up what surf conditions we are expecting and go from there. You have to be flexible around events and adapt really quickly to changes or surf conditions that pop up.
My training involves surf sessions at all different times of the day to get use to the break we will be competing at and then I have great variety in my land based sessions. For cardio I will do; run, swim, bike, boxing, skipping and Strength work in the Gym. I put in extras in around the main sessions depending on how the day is going, like yoga, stretching or skateboarding. I have really busy days which is something I’ve always enjoyed.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit ?
Ms. Sally Fitzgibbons:
Diet and nutrition is hard to strictly maintain when on the road. It is all about selecting the best options at the time wherever I am in the world. Being Lactose intolerant is my only restriction so mostly my diet comprises of raw foods, fruit and vegetables and to that I add quality proteins and a variety of different soups.
Remember to always take time to treat yourself with your favourite foods no matter what that might be. It is important to find the balance that works for you.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Do you take some kind of skin treatment to keep it young and glowing and secondly what you do to your hair to make them look so stunning?
Ms. Sally Fitzgibbons:
It is always hard to battle against the harsh elements I work in each day; sun, salty, surf and wind. To combat this I find myself constantly moisturising my hair, skin and face with a range of Garnier products but in particular Garnier Pure Active scrub and making sure I cleanse my face at the end of each day to free my pause from being clogged with sunscreen.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding professional surfing girls who all are your fans, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in the field of professional surfing?
Ms. Sally Fitzgibbons:
The road to becoming a professional surfer is definitely challenging if you are trying to make it on the elite stage. There is no shortage of hard work, dedication and competitive mongrel needed. You have to be passionate about what you are doing and take the setbacks in your stride and look at them as a challenge to find a new way to succeed. Don’t take NO for an answer. Good luck and go get ’em!!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How did you feel before and after when on 23rd April 2011, you won your first ASP World Tour event, defeating Carissa Moore in the final of the Rip Curl Women’s Pro at Bells Beach?
Ms. Sally Fitzgibbons:
Wow!!! That was such an incredible feeling that words can barely describe. I had been chasing a win for two years and had been in many finals only to place second each time but in 2011 all the planets aligned. It was the 50th anniversary of the Ripcurl Pro so all the past legends were there as part of the celebrations. I remember the finals day I had to surf 4 heats in the freezing cold and the waves were pumping… I still get goosebumps just thinking about it.
I beat Steph Gilmore in the semi and had Carissa Moore in the final and there was an amazing crowd lining the cliffs when I looked back from the water. When the siren went to finish and I realised I had won I just cried with happiness. I was chaired up the historic Bells stairs with pictures of all the champions and now I was one of them. I remember being so tired I could barely lift the trophy and nearly fell of the stage. A lifetime memory for sure 🙂
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
At the 2012 ASP World Surfing Awards Sally you claimed three trophies. The first was for finishing runner-up in the 2011 World Tour. Sally’s second award was for Women’s ASP Heat of the Year, which was awarded to you and Carissa Moore and third was ASP Surfers’ Surfer. What responsibility these award bestow upon you in your future efforts and activities in the field of surfing?
Ms. Sally Fitzgibbons:
It is always special to receive an award of recognition of your hard work and I do cherish these. It was a nice feeling to receive the Surfer’s Surfer award from my peers and there is definitely some events that surfers want to win because of the special trophy attached like the Ripcurl Pro Bells Beach. When I am training at home it is a bit of a reminder for me to keep training hard.
Sally Fitzgibbons on Women Fitness: Women Fitness website is such a positive place to visit there is a great balance of articles, stories and useful information. It is definitely in my bookmarks for a regular visit.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Apart from Australia, you travel to every part of the globe for surfing. How you are able to adapt to these foreign locations and different kind of environment to compete professionally in surfing ?
Ms. Sally Fitzgibbons:
As glamorous as it sounds it is a challenge travelling the world and competing at a professional level. I have been competing internationally for six years now and probably travelling for eight. I feel comfortable now and have learnt to adapt and be flexible using the environment that presents itself at whatever country I am in.
The first thing I do is go for a run to explore what is on offer looking for hills, stairs and checking out the gymnasium if there is one. It is always motivating to train somewhere special to remind you of where you are as well in between your regular training.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You have worked on your biopic “Behind The Smile”. Tell us more about this endeavour of yours?
Ms. Sally Fitzgibbons:
Behind The Smile was a special project for Red Bull Media House and a look into the work that goes into trying to win a World Title. They followed my progress and shot behind the scenes at events, at home and some training projects to give the public a glimpse into what it takes. I have been runner-up to the World Title three times so I know I am on the right track but in surfing there is only so much in your control and it is important to stay positive.
I am really proud of the film and received some great feedback from the public in Australia. Red Bull made 5 short excerpts for YouTube called Sally Stories Season 2 where you can see some of the scenes.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Ms. Sally Fitzgibbons:
Women Fitness website is such a positive place to visit there is a great balance of articles, stories and useful information. It is definitely in my bookmarks for a regular visit.
To know more about Sally Fitzgibbons: Check out at: http://sallyfitzgibbons.com
Women Fitness Team thanks Sally Fitzgibbons for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her and made this interview happen.
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All content on this site is copyright of Women Finess 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.