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What’s it like to parent a pro surfer? We meet Anne Fish, mother of Georgia Fish

Do you worry about the pressure on female surfers to look like models and promote that side of themselves on social media? Do you think it affects Georgia?

It’s same age old issue isn’t it!  Focus on what they look like and not what they are achieving. I think there are a lot of girls who are competing now who are confident enough in themselves to not feel the need to have the model image – if it’s not something they are comfortable with. The system should focus on the whole person – we all know beauty is only skin deep……There are a lot of really lovely, talented girls on this circuit!

Georgia is aware of the whole beauty/model side of the business, but I think she has found a good balance – and she would definitely prefer to be acknowledged for what she is doing rather than what she is looking like.  She understands that people/companies support her and that they may require her to advertise and present their product in a certain way. But she is choosing to align with people that fit with her ethos so I don’t think it is an issue. I think many of the girls, including Georgia, have had their self esteem crushed at one time or another by the surfing system!

How would you feel if she did the ESPN body issue?

Ok what’s that?!  If it’s like Stab, I don’t think she would do it.  She would want any article to reflect the holistic, social, health and surfing side of who she is.

Have you always travelled with her and how has that been?

I have always travelled with her – and when I haven’t been there her father has. I think it’s great to have someone on the beach who is completely behind you. She can focus on surfing, preparing, resting etc while I take care of everything else. It is challenging at times for both of us – but we have both learned a lot and I think we have a pretty good working relationship. I am so grateful that I can be there, particularly when times are tough.

Which female surfers impress you the most and why?

I absolutely love Bec Woods. As well as being a smart and talented competitor, she is always happy to stand up for the rights of the girls.  Even when we didn’t really know Bec that well, she would always make a point of encouraging Georgia after her heats. It really meant a lot to Georgia to have someone of Bec’s calibre helping her.

Lots of changes on the ASP Women’s Tour this year, what do you think about it?

Still lots of changes needed…..

Would you like to see surfing in the Olympics one day?

Not sure that they could really facilitate it. It would need to be in a wave pool so that there was a level playing field…..

Can you surf?

Depends on your definition of surfing!!! Yes I took it up aged 44, because I got sick of sitting on the beach watching.  I have Georgia to thank for that.

Do you have any parenting heroes?

My mother was an amazing mother – very loving, but gave us very clear boundaries and never judged us allowing us to be who we chose to be.

Is there anything else you’d like to talk about?

I just hope that the ASP offers the same conditions to the women as they do the men!  The same formats, the same priority systems, and when there are mixed contests – same opportunity to get good conditions.  Not putting them out in conditions they wouldn’t consider sending the men out in!

Thanks Anne!

Pleasure.

For more on Georgia Fish go to georgiafish.com.au and keep checking back to the site as we’ll be running an interview with Georgia very soon.

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