Find out what makes your favourite sports star tick

If you’ve ever wanted to meet the pro, now’s your chance – with aRed Bull Australia competition for fans to win an experience with athletes like Central Coast surfer Molly Picklum.

Red Bull Australia is running a competition for fans to win an experience with our Red Bull Athletes – like Central Coast surfer Molly Picklum. Picture: Brett Hemmings

If you’ve ever wanted to meet the pro, now’s your chance.

Red Bull Australia is running a competition for fans to win an experience with our Red Bull Athletes – like Central Coast surfer Molly Picklum.

“Firstly, I’m professional surfer, that’s what I do – but who I am is a really bubbly, fun loving, caring person, but down to have a good time, and yet also get to work and sink your teeth into a good sport,” the 22-year-old tells Insider.

“I think 2024 was a huge year to digest, for sure, and there was so much learning, so I think 2025 it’s fresh energy, new year, world title on the line, and all sights for that.

“To me, what’s most important is the connection that I have with my family and friends.

“I really love my time with them.

“Being a part of the ocean, being a part of something bigger than yourself. Surfing gives back so much to me.” Picture: Brian Bielmann/AFP

“And then, of course, just getting into Mother Nature is super important to me.

“Being a part of the ocean, being a part of something bigger than yourself. Surfing gives back so much to me.”

But her story wasn’t always one of a pro surfer.

“My story is interesting, because as a kid, when my mum said ‘what do you want to do?’ it would be, ‘I want to be a vet’ because I loved animals.

“Then I played a lot of touch football growing up.

“And when I was 14, a surf comp and competition with touch football was clashing, so that was the moment where I had to choose.

“It was a real fork in the road moment for a 13, 14-year-old to make this decision – and look where I am.

“Now, it’s kind of crazy that it came down to one decision but, yeah, that’s how it all went down.”

The reason she choose surfing was because she felt it was the only sport that kept changing daily.

“I felt like certain sports I’d get bored with, but the ocean … I can never master it, so it’s a dangling carrot for life, kinda,” she says.

“I think for me, the consistency of trying to achieve what you want (has been my biggest challenge), but only have minimal time and energy in a day, so you really run yourself into the ground.

“And I tried so hard to get good and travel and just … I want to win.

“I was so focused on that, that I tired myself out and potentially resented the sport for it – and that was scary.

“For something that I loved, that then I didn’t like, was a hard moment.”

“I mean, what a cool experience,” she says of making the 2024 Olympic Games.

Molly Picklum’s ultimate goal is to win the world title. Picture: Brett Hemmings

“It’s definitely a huge thing just being a part of it – but it really lit a fire under me to want gold and want medals and really bring home some for Australia.”

Her ultimate goal is to win the world title, with all her friends cheering her on.

“I would love to have all my family and friends roll down to the local beach car park with the trophy and everyone there and just jump out and hug everyone and share that trophy with them all,” she says.

“Because I feel like my whole community has played a really big part in who I am, and also the surfer I am today.

“So it’s head down in the season – but you know, life takes its toll and anything may happen, so I’m ready. I’m ready to play with it for 2025.”

From January 9, buy a can of Red Bull and scan the QR code to complete the Red Bull Meet the Pro quiz and go into the running to win an experience with someone like Molly.

There are four major prizes – one per athlete – which include an expenses-paid trip for you and a friend to meet your favourite athlete and participate in an experience relating to their sport.

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