Get Philippa Anderson on the World Championship Tour / Indiegogo from La Lune Cinema on Vimeo.
I’m currently in El Salvador, getting ready for our next QS6,000 event, after a 9th place at Oceanside in America last weekend. Every contest I enter, I want to walk away with the win–or at least know that I gave it 110%. I’m really happy with my 9th place finish at the Supergirl Pro, as it betters my result from the first contest this year, so that is a positive outcome. And I’m stoked with my 3rd at the Los Cabos Open of Surf in Mexico.
I’m sitting on the balcony after a fun surf out at the contest area and I’m just feeling really lucky to be here. If it wasn’t for my campaign and all the incredible humans that so generously donated, I wouldn’t be in the position I am now with a chance to surf these events and have a shot at qualifying for the World Tour.
When I was eight-years-old, I followed in my brother Craig’s footsteps and began competing. While he eventually moved away from competing (and became one of the most sought after free surfers in the world), my burning desire to qualify for the World Tour never faded.
After a very successful pro Junior career, I began competing on the WQS. Then, in 2012, I heartbreakingly missed qualification on to the Women’s World Tour by two places. To add insult to injury, I was then dropped by my main financial sponsor, and left to fend for myself on the incredibly exciting but expensive WQS. I lost a lot of confidence and hit the lowest point of my surfing career, as not only had I lost my financial backing, but also my support system, my coaching, and the security of being part of team. Since my dream has always been to compete on the World Tour, it was a tough blow.
Since then, I have worked in bars, coached surfing, babysat, held yard sales, all while training and spending as much time in the water as possible. I trained hard, surfed harder, and my confidence has slowly returned with the help of my family and friends. I am in the best shape of my life and my passion for my sport drives me forward. I have just returned from Mexico with my best result to date; a 3rd place finish at a QS6,000, hard earned by claiming heat wins against two of the top women already competing on the Women’s World Tour.
It really sucks that money is such a huge problem for many of the girls that don’t have major financial sponsors on the WQS, and even the WCT. It was amazing knowing that a company backed your surfing and were supporting you to cover the costs of competing. It was really hard losing my financial sponsorship. Not only was the money an issue, but I felt like I had failed; like I wasn’t good enough to be a part of that brand, and it hit me hard. I’m so blessed to be able to still travel and have a chance at reaching my goal. People don’t realize how much of an impact they have made on my life just by donating or sharing my campaign, and joining my journey to try to qualify for the World Tour. I have proved to myself that I am capable, I have the passion and the work ethic–all I need now is to get to these upcoming events, surf my heart out, and collect those vital points to qualify. I am already so close, please help my take that final step!
To help Philippa achieve her dream, check out her crowdfunding campaign HERE.
