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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