Sally Fitzgibbons working on transformation from world No.3 to world surfing champion in 2016

IT’S a physical and mental transformation putting surfer Sally Fitzgibbons into uncharted waters but one she hopes will earn her a long-awaited maiden world championship in 2016.

IT’S a physical and mental transformation involving gut-busting hill climbs. soft sand runs and a decision to throw herself into unknown waters Sally Fitzgibbons hopes will earn her a long-awaited maiden world championship.

An off-season involving paddle-boarding, track efforts, drills, long hours in the surf, cross training and board testing Fitzgibbons believes will provide the best possible launching pad to success in 2016.

A competition down time the newly engaged Fitzgibbons is using to help reinvent herself in the eyes of her rivals — and the judges.

Surfer Sally Fitzgibbons determined to win her first world title in 2016. Pic: John Appleyard

“You have to put the work in now to reap it later and I like to out in the volume early,’’ said the world No. 3 and Australia’s best performed female surfer on the world tour in 2015.

“I find that when I am physically in great shape I am also mentally sharper.’’

Key to a breakthrough year will be the new moves the 25-year-old Fitzgibbons hopes to unveil during her eighth season on the World Surf League.

“All these near misses have accumulated. They are driving me,’’ Fitzgibbons said of her string of podium finishes since her world tour debut year back in 2009.

“I also want there to be an element of surprise this year. When I stand on a wave I want people to wonder what’s coming next.

“I want to bring something new into my surfing to make people stand up and look.’’

Aussie surfers Felicity Palmateer, Sally Fitzgibbons and Laura Enever.

Fitzgibbons, whose partner is Penrith star Trent Merrin, believes the best way to stand out from the crowd is to make her surfing as different as possible.

“I won’ be playing it safe any more — that’s how you end up in the middle of the pack,’’ she said.

“I need to make big moves and risks to be rewarded.’’

The surfer from the NSW south coast has revealed the constant flow of young talent to the sport keeps her motivated to seek improvement across the board in her surfing.

Sally Fitzgibbons warms up at Bells Beach earlier this year.

“There are so many boxes I still want to tick,’’ she admits.

“And the next generation is coming. There’s plenty of room to be left behind. That’s what’s driving me on as well.’

SALLY FITZGIBBONS’ WORLD TITLE BIDS

2009: 5th 2010: 2nd. 2011: 2nd. 2012: 2nd. 2013: 3rd. 2014: 4th. 2015: 3rd

MEMORABLE WINS

2015 and 2014: Cloudbreak, Fiji,

2013 and 2011: Rip Curl Pro Bell’s Beach.

SSally Fitzgibbons surfing with a helmet in 2015 after bursting her eardrum.