Tokyo Olympic: What is inspiring Sally Fitzgibbons ahead of surfing debut

She is the staunchest and proudest Aussie you could ever meet. But it is a flag of another nation helping inspire surfer Sally Fitzgibbons ahead of her Olympic debut.

One month to go before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics Australian surfer Sally Fitzgibbons at her home beach Gerroa in NSW. Surfing will be included for the first time at these Olympic Games. Pic. Phil Hillyard

Sally Fitzgibbons has long been dreaming of enfolding herself in an oversized Australian flag and celebrating winning a historic Olympic medal in surfing.

But strangely, it is the flag of another country providing the 29-year-old former world No. 1 with some special inspiration ahead of her chase for gold at the Tokyo Games next month.

Sally Fitzgibbons surfing to her gold medal at the world game. Pic: Surfing Australia

“I have a few special things I always have with me,” said the surfer from the far NSW south Coast town of Gerroa who “balled all the way home on the train’’ when she couldn’t get close enough to Cathy Freeman to sign her hat after the 400m runners stunning Sydney Olympic triumph.

“One is a special necklace that mum and dad gave me, part of the Tiffany Atlas series, just after the world surfing game in Japan in 2018 so that's pretty special. I won there whuch is ncie.

“And I always have the Senegal flag with me. At the World Games I surfed against them and it reminds me of how sport crosses over cultures, how sport is so big.

“They wrote a special message on it and translated it means ‘you have the heart of a lion’. I read that. It inspires me. It’s very special.”

Proud Australian surfer Sally Fitzgibbons after a recent win in El Salvador.

Fitzgibbons, who has lightened up and worked overtime to improve her air game for the expected small surf during the Olympics, always knew she wanted to compete at the highest level of sport.

A talented runner she showed precocious talent in surfing and made the switch as a teen, cracking the world tour in 2008 and regularly finishing in the top five surfers in the world.

When surfing was accepted into the Olympic program for Tokyo back in 2016 there was no one more excited than Fitzgibbons.

“It’s an absolute dream come true,” she said.

Now Fitzgibbons, who will compete in Tokyo with seven-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore, Owen Wright and Julian Wilson, is in the box seat to make her dream a reality with a breakthrough win on the world tour in Western Australian this year along with gold at the recent International Surfing Association World Games in El Salvador.

Sally Fitzgibbons is one of the most popular surfers on the World Tour. Pic: Tim Hunter.

“This feels like part of my DNA. I have lived every version of going to an Olympics for so long,” she said.

“I see myself in the line-up with a big cheesy grin on my face. There’s black sand on the beach, I’m sitting out the back, in the middle of the heat, and I’m going WOW. It feels like home.

“I can’t wait to get there. I am so pumped.’’

Celebration of Women in Surf // Layne Beachley

1 of 4 videos produced for the Sally Fitzgibbons Foundation event 'A Celebration of Women in Surf'.

In this episode we take a look at the esteemed career and life of 7 time World Champion Layne Beachley.

Sally Fitzgibbons has put her home on the market

Sally Fitzgibbons has put her south coast home on the market with hopes of securing more than $980,000 for the property.

The listing comes just two weeks after announcing her engagement to former St George Illawarra rugby league player Trent Merrin.

Originally from Gerroa, the 24-year-old pro-surfer purchased the home at 169 Charles Avenue Minnamurra in 2009, for $515,000.

Attracted to the home’s large yard and proximity to the Minnamurra River and local beaches, Fitzgibbons took on its renovation with gusto.

“We set about giving it a total makeover, it was my first go at a renovation and it came out really well. There is really not much left of the original home,” Fitzgibbons said.

“The renovation process was crazy, I was a bit younger then and I didn’t realise there was so much that had to go into it. 

“I watched all the renovation shows on TV and thought it was awesome… I can do that!. It was a cool experience and great to have another project to work on.”

Designed by local architect, the property includes a range of modern features including an outdoor shower, and custom board room which has been home to Fitzgibbons’ surf boards. 

She said her favourite feature of the home was the feeling of the new staircase dropping down to the flooring and the beautiful high ceilings.

“I wanted it to have an open feel with a lot of natural light and privacy.

“I love downstairs. I’m really proud of it, and it became my training space, and the gym looking out over the golf course is just awesome. I felt invincible.”

The home includes a home office, double garage, second kitchenette, huge rumpus room, an entertaining deck overlooking the golf course and plenty of storage.

“It’s the perfect family home, and it was perfect for Sally,”. 

Despite the pending sale of her house, Fitzgibbons said she still intends to stay in the area so she can keep training on the Minnamurra River, run up and down the hills and ride her bike around the neighbourhood.

Photo: Justin Regan

Photo: Justin Regan 

Photo: Justin Regan

Photo: Justin Regan

Photo: Justin Regan

You know, if you are over $ 980,000 make your proposal!

Try to keep up as we check out Sally Fitzgibbons week in workouts

Pro-surfer, sporting all-rounder, author and Run Australia ambassador, Sally Fitzgibbons proves there's not much she can't do. With a bunch of surfing titles in her trophy cabinet, a surfing app and a documentary to her name, this 24-year-old Aussie also trains all-year-round to keep her body in top shape. Try to keep up as we check out Sally's week in workouts.

Monday

• My Monday starts with a morning run and bike session followed by a dawn patrol surf session as sun comes up.
• I head to the gym for a weights session.
• Mid-afternoon yoga and breathing class.
• I end the day with a late surf session.

Tuesday

• I start my morning with a run and bike session.
• I go for a surf at lunch.
• Head to the gym for a weights session.
• End the day with a late surf session.

Wednesday

• Again I start my day with a morning run and bike session followed by a dawn patrol surf session as sun comes up.
• I make sure I squeeze in a yoga and breathing class.
• I head out for a late surf session at a different surf break.

Thursday

• Thursday, like every other day, begins with a morning run and bike session.
• I make sure I get in some yoga and breathing exercises.
• I go for a surf at lunchtime.
• The day ends with a weights session in the late afternoon.

Friday

• Start with a morning run and bike session followed by a dawn patrol surf session.
• I head to the gym for another weights session.
• I go to a yoga and breathing class after lunch.
• My week ends with a late surf.
• 
  
• What's Your Go-To Exercise Guaranteed to Get You Results?

"That's hard to answer as it depends what I’m training for. For me I train my body for different things and types of surf throughout the year. Sometimes I do more cardio, but in pre-season I do more weights to build a base for the season ahead. You can be guaranteed that every day contains a mix of surfing, weights and yoga/breathing exercises."