A common refrain heard about surfing is that the best thing for surfing is surfing. While that’s definitely true, hitting the gym can’t hurt. Need proof? Well, there are lots of examples. For most, the first person who comes to mind is Mick Fanning. He was one of the first to focus on the gym with surf-specific workouts, leading to a full-blown facet of the iron-pumping industry. Sally Fitzgibbons ain’t a stranger to the gym, and it’s paying off in spades. She just won the Margaret River event, and it’s not a fluke.
Sally’s always been a contender. Although last year was her worst year on tour– an eighth-place finish–no one in their right mind counted her out. For the last few years, she’s been working on a fitness program that uses her experience as both a professional surfer and a seriously healthy person.
After beating Stephanie Gilmore in the semis, Fitzgibbons moved onto the finals with Tyler Wright, she moved into the pole position (tied with Gilmore) going into the Bells event, where she’s historically done very, very well.
With her fitness on point and her confidence soaring, it’s not hard to see Fitzgibbons taking a commanding lead in the race for the world title.
Everything I’ve been working on – it’s paying off,” she said to the WSL. “Results aside, I’ve had a fantastic week. My body and my mind, I’m right where I want to be.”
