FLICK PALMATEER - FACING FEAR

In 2016, I was not included on the confirmed invite list for the first-ever Big Wave Women’s Invitational at Jaws and I was devastated. Then, within days of the event running, I was awarded an alternate position and suddenly I was on plane to Hawaii and paddling out in the biggest surf I had ever seen. I was already scared sh!tless to say the least, plus my left knee was still far from 100%, after tearing the medial ligament earlier in the year.
In 2017, better news; I was a definite starter but then weeks out from the call, surfing head-high waves on the Gold Coast – snap! I did a layback and it sounded like a carrot popping inside my right knee. Injured again. Tears walking up the beach, tears in the car and more tears on the way to the physio …
Preparation really is the key to success, especially when it comes to life threatening conditions and convincing myself I could surf Jaws even though I was in pain walking, took some help! Weeks of careful training with Nam Baldwin at Elevation Fitness, weeks of recovery at P3 Sports & Recovery and shifting my mindset to a positive one.
Of course, you can always wish for different circumstances. It’d be nice to have been 100% and I could wish I performed better at Jaws, but given the circumstances, I’m proud knowing how much I learned during those periods.
I know by facing some of my own fears, I’ve become inspired to try harder. Fear is opportunity! Opportunity for growth. I hope I can inspire others to face their own fears and overcome the obstacles they might be facing in their lives. It can be a long road!
Here's an edit with some footage from the past two years …

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Credits:

World Surf League @wsl

Billabong @billabongwomens

Shane Peel @myhousepictures

Glen Claydon @gcp_

Tim Bonython @tim_bonython

Maui Media Cartel @mauicartel

JJ @pixjj

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