Philippa Anderson thought her dream of making the world championship tour was over.
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Three times she had come so close yet felt still so far away from qualification.
But a career-best result at the end of last year was just what she needed to put some fire back in the belly.
“I think mentally, before that event, I had kind of given up because I was so tired of losing and getting so close each year then not getting through; it’s draining,” the Merewether 25-year-old said.
The result was second to former world No.2 Silvana Lima at the Sydney International Women’s Pro at Cronulla in November.
At the time Anderson said she had “been a bit lost” but described the result as “a massive turning point” in her career.
“I think that second place just sparked the fire again and hopefully I can go alright this year,” she said last week.
“And if not, I’ve had such an amazing life that surfing has blessed me with, so you can’t really be too sad.”
Anderson has made a good start to 2017. She was fifth at the Carve Pro at Maroubra last month then was the runner-up to in-form teenager Macy Callaghan at the Kommunity Project Great Lakes Pro this month.
She is eighth in the qualifying series standings heading into her home-town event at Surfest this week.
Anderson remains the only local to win one of Surfest’s main events and can boost her qualifying campaign with a strong showing at her home break of Merewether Beach in the 6000-rated Anditi Women’s Pro.
“Last year was tricky,” Anderson said.
“Each year you’ve just got to play it after each event, where you’ve placed prizemoney-wise hopefully to get to the next event.
“I’m definitely committed to doing the qualifying series again, it’s just the bank account … but that’s the plan, do two solid events here [Surfest and Manly] and definitely look at the middle of the year.”
I think mentally, before that event, I had kind of given up because I was so tired of losing and getting so close each year then not getting through; it’s draining.
- Philippa Anderson
The Anditi Women’s Pro and Maitland and Port Stephens Toyota Pro both carry a 6000-point rating.
The contests started Monday with the top surfers expected to hit the surf Wednesday or Thursday.
Defending champions Sally Fitzgibbons and Matt Wilkinson headline a strong line-up in both contests.
Merewether pair Ryan Callinan and Jake Sylvester will carry local hopes of victory in the men’s event.
