Sally Fitzgibbons won the 2024 Challenger Series before the season ended, securing her spot on the 2025 Championship Tour. Fitzgibbons has been one of the most consistent performers since she joined the Tour in 2009, achieving significant moments like finishing as runner-up in the World Title race several times and winning in Fiji in 2015 despite blowing out her eardrum. Throughout her career, she has won 12 Championship Tour events, including back-to-back victories at the Bells Beach competition in 2011 and 2012. One of her most impressive stats is that from 2010 to 2016, she reached the quarterfinals or better in nearly every event, missing the mark only once.
However, in 2022, when the WSL introduced the mid-season cut, Fitzgibbons found herself on the wrong side of the line. She received a wildcard due to injury and returned to the CT in 2023, but the results didn’t come together, sending her back to the Challenger Series. Despite this setback, Fitzgibbons dominated the Challenger, winning the US Open and the event in Portugal. At 33, many of her contemporaries chose not to return to the Challenger Series, but Sally kept fighting.
When asked about her response to the WSL’s mid-season cut, Fitzgibbons acknowledged the emotional toll it took on many surfers, including herself, and how it felt like a rejection of her long career. Yet, she emphasized that her passion for surfing and competing remained strong, regardless of the changes in rules or the business side of the sport. For her, it’s about showing up and fighting for her place, regardless of the emotional ups and downs.
Fitzgibbons didn’t hesitate to return to the Challenger Series after missing the cut, fueled by her desire to express her creativity and evolving skills in competition. She felt a responsibility to continue representing her generation of surfers, who had worked hard to elevate women’s surfing and pass on the baton to the new talent coming through.
Reflecting on her career, Fitzgibbons mentioned the pride she takes in how her surfing has evolved over 20 years. She has consistently improved and adapted her style, adding new tools to her competitive arsenal. Despite being more on the bubble now, she remains focused on performing her best, accepting the highs and lows of competition, and staying true to her core values as an athlete.
When discussing her competitive mindset, Fitzgibbons highlighted her “never say die” attitude, cultivated in her home region of New South Wales. She recalled moments like competing in Fiji with a severe injury and how such experiences have built her internal confidence. Fitzgibbons praised the camaraderie among female surfers, recounting moments when competitors would help each other during tough situations, showcasing the strong bond on the women’s tour.
Fitzgibbons also commented on the current depth of talent in the Challenger Series, with younger surfers bringing fierce competition. While not expected to win as an older athlete, she enjoys competing against the new generation and appreciates the larger picture of women’s surfing thriving.
In 2024, Fitzgibbons won the ISA World Surfing Games for the fourth time, but despite her efforts, she didn’t qualify for the Olympics. Although disappointed, she found solace in the support from her small community, which celebrated her as a champion in their eyes. She remains hopeful for another shot at the Olympics in 2028.
Fitzgibbons has been vocal about advocating for equal representation in professional women’s surfing, calling for more spots on tour for women. She emphasized the growing popularity of women’s surfing, the intense competition, and the audience’s desire to watch more of it. She believes it’s time for women’s surfing to achieve equal footing with the men’s events, with more days dedicated to showcasing female athletes.
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