“Got the Ultimate Leader”: Former World No. 1 Surfer Takes Cues From Kelly Slater to Prolong Her Surfing Career

Former World No.1 surfer, Sally Fitzgibbons, is a star surfer hailing from Australia. And currently, she is aiming even higher. The high-profile surfer has the World Surf League mid-season cut, and Olympics 2024 lined up. The World Surf League at Bells Beach is starting from 4th April 2023. Fitzgibbons will compete against former world No.2 Courtney Conlogue and 8-time world champion Steph Gilmore.

The pressure to perform is quite real for Fitzgibbons, but she deals with it with the same adrenaline rush that is experienced in fighting for a world title. She has to be consistent in the semi-final or perform better at Bells and Margaret River to continue on the world tour. However, she has longer plans for a career in surfing and takes inspiration from all-time surfing legend Kelly Slater! 

Sally Fitzgibbons is not ending her Surfing career anytime soon

“I can’t wait to open up in the jersey and just do some more surfing,” says the 32-year-old surfer to the Herald Sun, her thoughts on continuing her favorite sport. Her sponsors such as Harvey Norman are always ready to back her surfing journey!

“We’ve always got the ultimate leader in Kelly Slater is still showing up and he has had to do that over three generations of people so there is no excuses, it is possible” the experienced surfer opines. She indicates that she would love to compete in her 40s and be a part of the 2032 Olympics to help the team.

Read More: Devoid of Any Feelings, Rookie Surfer Having a Super Year Stumbled After Failing Championship Tour

Sally gets re-energized to mold her surfing abilities when she sees teenagers in the locker room who have a completely new take on the sport and have the fire and confidence to compete. She ends by saying “ I will just go as long as my body can hold up”. 

Sally Fitzgibbons takes inspiration from Netflix’s ‘Full Swing’ series

The Netflix series Full Swing has got Sally’s attention as it depicts athletes rediscovering success many years after great victories, like that of Rory McIlroy.

“I liken it to that McIlroy example, a few of them came on and won majors straight away in their career then its been like eight years between drinks and just the discipline and focus it takes,” she says. Her surfing career with a Bells win in 2012 and a tour victory the previous year reflects the same.

Watch the story here: World’s largest surfing pool opens in $ 40,000,000 recreation hub amidst massive water crisis in Hawaii

The fans of the surfing world would love to see more athletes like Kelly Slater! And Sally Fitzgibbons is happy to walk on the same path by pursuing the sport beyond her 40s.