Dimity Stoyle (AUS) on her way to winning her first ASP event, the Hunter Ports Women’s Classic. ASP/Will H-S
COOLANGATTA, QLD/Australia (Friday, November 1, 2013) – 22-year-old Sunshine Coast surfer Dimity Stoyle (AUS) is set to step onto the world’s stage in 2014 as she joins the elite ASP Women’s World Championship Tour. Stoyle has been on the cusp of joining the Top 17 female surfers in the world for the past three years, but nothing could stop her in 2013 as she stormed to No. 2 on the qualifying ASP World Rankings with a string on consistent results, including her first ever ASP event win at the ASP 6-Star rated Hunter Ports Women’s Classic in Newcastle over ASP World Title contender Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS).
In between surfing and experimenting with alternative surfboard designs and sometimes even shaping her own boards, Stoyle spends her time training at the Surfing Australia High Performance Centre where she has a scholarship to work on honing her mind, body and surf skills.
We caught up with Stoyle to talk about her qualification campaign in 2013 and how she’s preparing for life in on tour in 2014.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m 22 years old, I’m from the Sunshine Coast, I’ve grown up surfing points like Noosa, Snapper and Rainbow. I’ve always ridden all types of boards and I just love surfing. I’ve got a scholarship at the Surfing Australia High Performance Centre so I spend a lot of time travelling between the Gold Coast and Sunny Coast when I’m at home. I love to travel and see the world and experience new things.
Tell us about the moment you found out you were officially on the 2014 Women’s WCT.
It didn’t really sink in straight away. I thought I was in because I had a good start to the year, but I didn’t really look at the rankings all year. When I was in Spain I made the Round of 12 and I was pretty excited because that’s when I knew I was in. The night after the comp a bunch of us celebrated. Nikki Van Dijk and her sister and me and my dad, it was cool to share that celebration with Nikki because she’ll be there with me next year. The first year I did all of the ASP 6-Star events I only missed out on qualifying by one heat. That was a surprise because I wasn’t trying to qualify, I was just trying to get used to traveling the world and competing. The last few years I probably wasn’t ready, but now I am and I feel good and I’m really looking forward to it.
What set this year apart from the last few where you came close to qualifying?
Winning my first ASP event, the Hunter Ports Women’s Classic down in Newcastle was huge for me. Taking down Sally (Fitzgibbons) in the final was unbelievable! Then straight after that I went into the Roxy Pro Trials and I made it into the main event for the first time. In Round 2 I think I lost to Tyler (Wright) by 0.3 of a point. It was crazy! I wasn’t too bummed about losing that one, because I gave it my all. I’ll hopefully get her back next year. If you lose a heat, it makes you feel better if that person wins the event, and Tyler did and then she went on to finish second in the world. Those two events make me feel like I’m ready to be up there with the top women.
What are you most excited about for next year?
I’ve heard it’s going to be a big year for the women’s tour, there’s a new event at Trestles. I’m just excited to be a part of the tour, the level is super high. I don’t have a major sponsor right now so the prize money increases next year will take some pressure off, it’s hard to not have a sponsor and that helps for sure.
What are you most nervous about for next year?
Being in the spotlight more, with loads more viewers online and on the beach. It can be nerve racking being on the world stage, but right now I’m more excited than nervous.
What is it going to take to be successful on Tour next year?
I think the main battle is the mental side of things, I’m just going to try to be strong. I can’t let my mind freak out and I just need to not think too much and get too far ahead of myself.
Which events are you most excited about?
I’m so excited for Snapper, it’s my favourite event, it’s pretty much home for me. I’m also really excited for Trestles, it will be huge to have the women’s event on there and give us a chance to show our talent. It’s an exciting time and I’m just going to try to make the most of it.
