Surfing New South Wales

SURFING NSW SUPERSTAR OF THE MONTH - PHILIPPA ANDERSON

Tuesday, 20 November 2012

SYDNEY (Tuesday, November 20, 2012): 2012 has been shaping up to be a cracker of a year for NSW surfer Philippa Anderson. Early in the year, the young Novocastrian embarked on a full-scale World Qualifying Series mission with the goal to climb the qualification ladder. When the last tour event wrapped up this year, Philippa only just fell outside the qualification cusp in 12th position, but ahead of prominent World Tour surfers like Coco Ho and Lakey Peterson. 

Domestically, Philippa has been notching up numerous victories over the past few months with wins at both the Dominelli Group Women's Surf Classic and the Jesus Pro-Am.

It's this very reason we're naming Philippa Anderson, Surfing NSW's Superstar Of The Month.

It's been a pretty big year for you so far, how do you feel about everything that's been happening?

The back end of this year was really good for me. I got two fifth place finishes and a third in WQS events, which was a massive confidence boost. I also got a third in the World Juniors which was great. Then I got home and finished with a win in the open division of the Dominelli Women's Surf Classic and a win in the Jesus Pro-Am. I've also been working on boards with my shaper and training in the gym with my trainer, as well as getting my diet under control. It's all worked out really well, so I'm stoked.

What things have you learnt this year?

Travelling with the older girls and seeing how they deal with things has taught me a lot. I think I've learnt how to get my head in the right space before a heat, like not to worry so much about who you have in a heat or what the waves are like. I think I had either Sage Erickson or Courtney Conlogue in a heat at one of the events and I ended up beating them, so that just gave me a massive confidence boost going into the next few comps.

How does it feel to beat a World Tour surfer like Courtney or Sage?

It is pretty overwhelming at the time, but it pushes you in a heat. If you come out with a win, it just builds your confidence. It's good to surf against them when the opportunity is there.

Moving forward, what things are you looking to improve?

I've had a bit of time off at home since the World Juniors and I've just been surfing and cruising. Next year, I'll be looking to be a bit more critical and take it to the air. I've actually been surfing with my brother [professional freesurfer Craig Anderson] and he's been helping a lot.

How does it feel that your brother Craig isn't all that competitive and you're filling the comp shoes?

I definitely think I got the competitive genes out of my brother and my sister. He doesn't care too much for competition, but he knows that I want that World Title one day and he helps me along. He always gives me really good advice also.

Speaking of airs, I heard you went for a mental double grab air in the Jesus Pro-Am last weekend that would've been a 10 point ride if you made it. Is that something your brother has been giving you advice with?

Yeah, we were surfing the other day at home and it was small, but the wind was perfect for airs and he would watch every wave I caught and tell me what to do. I was leading that heat so I thought I'd go for something a little crazy. The section was completely wrong for it, my board ended up flipping and my arm landed on the fin.

Looking forward, what's the grand goal?

The goal is definitely to make it onto the World Tour; that's the aim in the next couple of years. I was happy to make a semi final finish this year, but I'd like to go one further and make the final. If I can win an event I hope that everything after will fall into place.