OLYMPIC GAMES DREAM
Q With surfing now part of the Olympics, is that something within your sights?
A It is eventually. I think they’ve already selected the team for next year but of course I’d love to represent my country. This last few years, there’s been a lot of Olympic talk but my first goal was to qualify, so I was focused on that solely. But now that I’m on the tour, it’s opened up that possibility, so maybe in four years’ time but four years is such a long time away. It is definitely a dream of mine though to represent Australia.
Q The WSL introduced equal pay for men and women in 2018. What’s it like being part of the women in sport revolution more generally?
A It’s awesome. This is such a good time to be a woman in sport. Everyone is becoming more inclusive with women. In the past, I know it was pretty male dominated even just in the line up but now everyone is very supportive and there’s so many more girls coming up now. There’s only upwards to go so it’s very exciting.
Q Are you able to make a living off professionally surfing?
A It’s definitely gotten a lot easier than say 15 years ago. Obviously, the surfing industry goes up and down but these days, it’s so much easier to make a living as a female athlete. It’s cool because it gives younger girls something to live up to. I felt like back in the day, parents would tell their kids they had to go to university and get a job to earn a living because sport wasn’t an option.
Now it’s the other way around.