Felicity Palmateer, nicknamed “Flick or Floss”, was born on August 4, 1992 in Perth, Western Australia. She spent her childhood on the beaches of Western Australia surfing with her father and two younger brothers. She was only 12 years old when she dominated in her first surf contest. However, art has been a dominate force for Felicity before she every got into surfing. Felicity’s parents, both artists, have always encouraged and supported both of Felicity’s careers of art and surfing. They were also instrumental in infusing a positive attitude and easygoing style, which their daughter processes with ease.
When Stillstoked.com asked Felicity if surfing influenced her art and your art influence your surfing, she stated “I think the two go hand in hand. I don’t think of surfing as ‘sport’, more of a lifestyle and a type of art in a way. The wave is like the canvas and you are the artist. Each person will draw different lines on the wave depending on what they see. Also, I love the fact that no two waves are the same. The ocean is everything to me. It’s one of the reasons that I get up in the morning. I fell in love with the ocean and surfing. I don’t think that there’s ever been a surf that I’ve regretted. You always feel better afterwards. The thing that inspires me the most about the ocean is that it’s constantly changing and it’s the reason I get up in the morning – to see that.”
Felicity has been traveling and competing in surf contest since she was 16 years old.
This Australian surfer girl had a successful junior career and after her first year on the 2011 WSL Qualifying Series. Sadly, she missed out on making the Championship Tour (CT) by just one spot. The pregnancy of Chelsea Hedges in 2012, however, opened up a spot for Felicity for half of the CT events that year. “I had a taste, but it was bittersweet because it wasn’t the full Tour,” she said. “And doing both tours took its toll.”
For the next two years, Felicity again missed out on qualification, and discovered that she had lost the intense desire to compete. With her sponsors paying her to travel the world as a freesurfer and model, she scaled back her competitive commitments, rode an array of different boards and simply had fun. Felicity feels surfing different styles of boards for the right conditions improves her surfing.
This Australian blonde surfer girl currently lives in Burleigh Heads on Queensland’s Gold Coast. When she isn’t surfing or creating artwork, she enjoys skating on a carve board, snorkeling, cooking, getting outdoors and keeping busy!
Other Passions
Felicity is passionate about marine conservation and creating beautiful artwork. With her artwork, she tries to tie in an environmental message. “The ocean is everything to me. The thing that inspires me the most is that it’s constantly changing and it’s the reason I get up in the morning – to see that. I think as surfers we play an important role in protecting the ocean”, shares Felicity.
Big Wave Charger
In 2015, Felicity Palmateer makes Aussie history by riding a 30 foot wave at Cow Bombie, Western Australia, which is the biggest wave ever ridden by an Aussie woman, a title that was previously held by Layne Beachley. The video of her ride became an entry in the Billabong Ride of the Year category of the 2016 WSL Big Wave Awards.
She was invited to compete in the 2016 Pe’ahi Women’s Challenge on the island of Maui with other Australian surfer, Laura Enever. “When I first laid eyes on it, I’d never seen a wave that size pitching that much,” said Palmateer. “It draws off the reef so hard and throws so far. I was like, ‘How on Earth am I going to take off on my backhand?’ But I was there and I had to go. There was no way I wasn’t going to catch a wave, so I just put my head down and went for it.” This event and the thrill of riding the famous monster wave, “Jaws”, which can grab you out of heaven and send you straight to hell, reignited her love of competition. It was during this time that Felicity decided to go back and compete in the Qualifying Series (QS) full-time and to compete in the Big Wave Tour (BWT).
Staying Healthy
Felicity incorporates running and yoga into her training regime, which is easy to do when she is traveling. In addition, she has been doing more strength and conditioning work. And eating healthy is a must, for this talented surfer. She tries to only eat natural or organic foods and opting out of wheat and sugar. Her favorite food is avocado.
Felicity’s Motto to Live by
“I love hanging around people that make me laugh, it is the best medicine and always puts me in a good mood no matter what.”
Felicity Palmateer Photo Gallery
(Photos can be purchased at: Best Photos Online )
Surfing Career Highlights
2013 1st Margaret River Pro Trials – Australia
2009 2nd Billabong Pro Junior – Australia
2009 Open and Junior State Champion – Australia
2009 1st Chill Pro Junior – Australia
2009 1st Rip Curl Gromsearch National Final – Australia
2009 3rd Rip Curl Gromsearch International Fiona – Australia
2008 1st Rip Curl Gromsearch – (under 16) – Australia
2008 2nd Parko Grom Stomp – (under 16) – Australia
2008 1st Taj’s Small Fries – (under 16) – Australia
2008 4th Roxy Surf Festivial – (under 18) – Australia
2007 1st Volcom Stones Cuttlefish Surf Series – Australia
2007 1st Rip Curl Gromsearch – (under 16) – Australia
2007 1st Margaret River Open Women’s Classic – Australia
Height: 5’9”
Surfboard Shaper: Channel Islands
Stance: Goofy
Felicity Palmateer’s Sponsors:
Billabong | Channel Islands | Future Fins | The Surfboard Room