Featured Femme: Irie Fitzgerald

The life-enhancing past time that once used to hold such a questionable reputation in society has sure come a long way. Barely 30 years ago surfers were often stereotyped as juvenile delinquent,unruly hooligans. Today, the surfing world has far expanded with surfing received positively from a society that somewhat scorned it. The counter-culture activity has since shattered the walls of social downgrade, and is adorned and soulfully sought after by people all over the world. Over the decades, for tens of millions--surfing changed the way we dressed and it helped redefine the lives we have sought . In the surfing lineup, today you will find everything from doctors and lawyers to martial artists and mechanics... and also ambitious teenage girls. From the opening ceremony on September 21st to its closing ceremony on October 1st, Irie Fitzgerald of Nimitz Hill represented Guam in the 2017 Vissla/ ISA World Junior Surfing Championships in Hyuga Japan. Proudly waving large Guam flags through the streets of Hyuga Japan with fellow Guam youth surfer Noa Mendiola, Irie would take many pauses to take photos and videos with many of the thousands of excited residents eager to take part in the Miyasaki Prefectures largest-ever sporting event. Enduring a painful Man-O War attack on both of her legs just 30 minutes prior to her first heat, Fitzgerald delayed medical attention and maintained focus to compete instead through the first round of the Under 16 Women's Division. Also competing in under 18 women's division, Fitzgerald was able to place Guam above 7 of 40 other countries. Doing Guam proud in our island's first participation in the 38 year history in the world's largest youth surfing event, her goal setting paid off tremendously as she made resounding waves in international surfing even as Guam's solo competitor. Fitzgerald grew up swimming as a baby and spent alot of time with her father, Brian Fitzgerald, At ten years old she finally started surfing at Talofofo Bay and on tiny days at Ricks Reef. Slowly gaining experience to edge her way into the lineup of her favorite break today --Left Side Hagatna Boat Basin. "She fell in love with surfing and enjoys the nature around it. The water is like her second home and no matter how she feels before her session, she always feels better after. "Through surfing shes been given the gift to connect with nature and to develop character through her passion. the ocean is as important for her as food for life" -Tamami Fitzgerald,Mother In preparation for this event she had watched a ton of surf videos to help improve her technique .To tighten up her weak points and for better competitive strategy, she worked diligently with her surf coach, long time international surf competitor and International Guam Surfing Ambassador Fred Mendiola. For cardio she worked in a lot of swimming and underwater training. To develop her confidence,She cross trained with kickboxing and volley ball. "Her performance was respectable considering she was at least 2 to 4 years younger than the other countries' competitors. She trained hard and every aspect of her preparation was spot on. Having her represent Guam was such an inspiration to see. She demonstrated so much island pride and professionalism. By having Guam's Surfer athletes represent our island at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics would be such a great opportunity to further share and promote Islan Guahan's Awesome Culture and People." -Fred Mendiola, Coach With only 3years of surfing experience, Fitzgerald has already had quite a career.Shes competed in more than 15 events throughout, Guam, Japan, and Hawaii , Surfed in 5 different countries, has attended surfing camps to train under professionals, and, in light of North Korea's recent threats on Guam, has even been recently featured in the New York Times! Despite what might seem like her fast track to surfing notoriety--Fitzgerald remains humbled and hungry-- A pursuit of comppetitive Surfing comes with its hard times. Tracking flights for weekend competitions to Hawaii from sleeping in their car to make ends meet to finding sponsors to support her dream --- It has been her family's unwavering support, to keep her seeking to surf new places, to improving her technique, and to surfing against the best competition.

Irie Fitzgerald raised on the beautiful island of Guam, she is a talented surfer and artist. She has been proceeding her mind since ever since and has been a member of National Juniors Honors Society since 2015! This Femme Achiever embraces her dreams and goals in the form of competition surfing. She has also recently taken up training in the art of Muay Thai with our other Femme Achiever Brogan Sanchez. With a bright future ahead, she sets a great example for our Youth Brigade Movement. Check out What she has to say!

How could you/do you make a positive contribution to the world?

I do coastal cleanups and I am a member of Surfrider foundation. I am involved in environmental programs and I want to teach young kids to conquer their fears of the ocean.

How could we all make the world a better place?

Always smile, be kind, have good manners, and give more than what you take.

What is your favorite quote?

"Work hard in silence and let success be your noise."

Three things about Irie:

1. I am a surfer. I have a grade four license for NSA (Nippon Surf Association) in Japan. I was a place for my first year of HASA (Hawaiian amateur surf association) in Hawaii. I am the champion of boat basin monster energy 2015.

2. I am an artist. I like to paint, and make shell necklaces from ocean materials. I like to edit videos and photography.

3. I am half Irish and Japanese and I've lived on Guam whole life.

August 20th 2017 The New York Times published an article that shared viewpoints from a 6 young people who are from Guam. The purpose behind this article was to share some thoughts about the standoff between USA and NK from the people who hold Guam's future in their hands. Irie was chosen to be a voice for the young people of Guam, you can read her article here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/20/world/asia/guam-north-korea.html?mcubz=3