Why Sally Fitzgibbons is honouring Layne Beachley, Tyler Wright and other surfing world champions

SURF star Sally Fitzgibbons has won countless titles and trophies over her career but it was a first round heat as a schoolgirl against her idol that remains the most memorable.

Layne Beachley gave Sally Fitzgibbons her first wildcard into a world tour event.

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SURF star Sally Fitzgibbons has won countless titles and trophies in her career but it was a first round heat as a schoolgirl against an idol which remains the most memorable.

The now 25-year-old was just a grommet when seven-time Layne Beachley identified her fervour to surf and awarded her an Aim for the Stars scholarship of money and mentoring.

The surfing superstar now also famously gave Fitzgibbons a wildcard entry into her own world surf tour event — the Beachley Classic.

Sally Fitzgibbons with Layne Beachley who identified her as a potential star.

“I remember it so well. It was awesome,’’ said Fitzgibbons who, at just 15, beat Beachley in their opening round heat. Beachley avenged the loss in round three to send the precocious star to the sand.

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Anna Meares and Layne Beachley at a recent awards night.

“Lane was my hero. She was incredible.’’

Now a decade on, Fitzgibbons has honoured the feats of Beachley and seven other Australian women who won world surfing titles.

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Fitzgibbons says paying special homage to the women world champions of Australian surfing is long overdue and the inspiration behind her latest venture.

Last Friday Fitzgibbons hosted a gala where five of the eight women who have won world surfing titles — including 2016 champion Tyler Wright and Beachley — were honoured.

Sally Fitzgibbons with Trent Merrin during the recent NSW State of Origin Blues' Ball.

“I didn’t want to see this history lost,’’ she said.

“I also want to leave the sport a little better than I found it.

“To leave a bit of a legacy and to inspire like the older surfers did me.”

Friday’s gala at Manly was the first time such an event has been held to specifically honour the often overlooked female champions of the sport.

“Over the years you have seen other sports all paying homage to their legends from all generations and I thought, why are we not doing this for women’s surfing,” Fitzgibbons said.

The gala is one of three major events Fitzgibbons, the businesswoman, is juggling with being Fitzgibbons, the world pro tour surf.

This week she will run the women’s only Sydney International Pro world qualifying event and the International Beach Festival from November 3-6 at Cronulla.

For more information, or to enter events such as the Ocean swim or Shire Mile at the International Beach Festival, go to the main site of the International Beach Festival.

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