Sally Fitzgibbons sets up next wave of champions with International Beach Festival

SALLY Fitzgibbons used to dream of surfing alongside her surfing heroes when she was a tacker but it didn’t come true until she was a teenager. Today’s kids are about to be luckier.

Oscar Randazzo, 7, Sybella Daly, 7, Ocean Bradley, 7, and Cooper Holmes, 7, with surfer Sally Fitzgibbons at Cronulla Beach. Picture: Justin Lloyd

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SALLY Fitzgibbons used to dream of surfing alongside her surfing heroes when she was a tacker but it didn’t come true until she was a teenager.

Now the pro surfer is working to make sure the dreams of a next generation of surfers come true much sooner.

At Fitzgibbons’ inaugural International Beach Festival at Cronulla this week, the 25-year-old surfer has organised a pro-assist for little groms between five and eight from surf lifesaving clubs across Sydney.

“I just want them to feel safe and happy and to be having a good time,’’ said Fitzgibbons, who started surfing when she was just three-years-old and will be on hand with other top women pros to push the budding surfers onto waves.

Sally Fitzgibbons’ inaugural International Beach Festival will launch next week. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“It’s nice to get a bit of a power boost sometimes and things like this really accelerate the learning process.

“The more kids surfing the better in my world.’’

Fitzgibbons was given her own helping hand by seven-time world champion Layne Beachley when offered a wildcard into the champions world tour event when just 15.

“I still remember how excited I was,’’ said Fitzgibbons, now a regular on the world tour and one of the best women’s surfers in the world.

Cooper Holmes, 7, Surfer Sally Fitzgibbons and Sybella Daly, 7, at Cronulla Beach. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Fitzgibbons has established the beach festival and is also backing the Sydney International women’s pro from November 3-6 to help push and promote women’s sport and a healthy lifestyle in general.

The Shire ocean swim and mile run is open to elite athletes and the public with the festival also including Cinema by the sea, yoga classes, a boardriders competition and an ironwoman invitational.

Further details are on the website www.internationalbeachfestival.com.au