Alex Fitch

Details

Category: Ski & Snowboard

How did you become involved in your sport?

I was already skiing at a young age and wanted to be like my brothers so I asked to snowboard one year and was hooked ever since

 

Who is your sporting hero?

Torah Bright

 

Age you started in your sport?

8-9

 

Height, weight, age?

157 cm, 55 kg, 17

 

Accreditations/degrees/qualifications?

School certificate , doing my HSC now, Bronze medallion First aid certificate.

 

What is it about your sport that you love?

The fact that I can have the worst day at school, or be really stressed out but as soon as I jump on my board nothing matters and everything seems to just let go. I love to jump and do pipe because I feel like i'm flying, The bigger I go the better the thrill.

 

What motivated you to start your sport?

My brothers, I wanted to be just like them but after going to the snow once a year in 2006 Torino Olympics I saw Torah, the next year I decided I wanted to do freestyle snowboarding.

 

What is your current business/job?

Still in school. I was working at ESS boardstore for a while but school has become my main priority now.

 

Where is your favourite Ski Slopes?

Breckenridge, Colorado but I still love Perisher because its so fun and all my friends are there. Always the funnest to come home to your home mountain!

 

People that have inspired you both in sport and life?

My brother Aaron, he always helps me keep motivated and when I'm having a bad day and lacking in motivation he manages to give me an inspirational speech and put my ontop of the world again ( I think he should do inspirational talks)

 

Great experiences that have happened in your life?

Youth Olympics , that was awesome to even just go to there and feel the vibe but to get Bronze was awesome!
Also be able to ride against and see Torah, Shes one of my heroes and inspirations but she always trains at breck and I see her and shes just so cool and to be able to be so young and to be able to meet her and talk to her is great!

 

Your interests and hobbies?

Skating, Surfing , Hanging with friends, Facebook is definitely a hobby!

 

One tip or quote that continues to inspire you?

" If you ever feel like giving up, Remember why you kept holding on" . I'm not sure who its by but its helped me so much the past year and for my birthday my best friend gave me the quote in a frame and it sits by my bed so I can see it every day now.

 

Family Background(where did you grow up) and Current Family

I was born in Wagga Wagga but lived in Junee until I was 2,  We ended up in Toukley, NSW. We haven't moved far since, we have moved a fair few times but when I was 9 we moved into a place in Norah Head on the beach, it is only the suburb over from Toukley and i've lived here ever since, Apart from when I live overseas then there's way to many places to put down. I have 2 brothers, Andrew is 27 and Aaron is 24. My Mum Sandra and my Dad Bill, My Granny Shirley and my Granddad Ron are never to far away from us unless there off house sitting around Australia, and I couldn't forget my Godmother/ Aunty Chrissy they are all a big part of my life.

 

What is your happiest memory?

I have way to many to put down, but my general happiest memories was when I was younger and when I was a beach girl and a water rat spending every day at the beach with my friends, I did nippers and I have so many memories with my friends at the beach and in the surf. I still love going down to the beach and remembering all the summers I spent there that I don't get now. All my Surf Club friends are still my best mates and will be till the end.

 

Who did you idolize growing up?

Not really anyone famous, I wasn't the best at sports growing up. I would have to say my brothers again because I always just wanted to be like them and hang out with all there friends and be a big teenager. I loved and was inspired by Bethany Hamilton, She was out surfing at my local beach when I was about 12 and so my friends and I all got to meet her.

 

Were you always one of the better athletes growing up?

Not really, I did average at sports just a few podiums here and there I was pretty good at Swimming when I was young because my Parents owned pools since before I was born and I actually learned to swim before I could walk or talk ( they thought I was going to be a swimmer), but other than that I was average, did alright at running and my best event was high jump cause I was taller then everyone else, unluckily I haven't grown since I was about 12 so High jump isn't my best event now. I was always active though my week was filled to the top with sports every night sometimes 2 and my parents had to run me everywhere I had a different sport every night cause I tried them all.

 

What is one thing you would share with the children wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Just have fun. There's no point wanting to do something if you don't love and enjoy it , so do what you love not what your parents love. Doesn't matter how old you are you can start whenever, And buy protective gear cause your going to need it in this sport!

 

How has being involved/playing your sport changed your life?

I have visited soo many places at such a young age. I always wanted to travel but I didn't expect to do it all so young. My family call me the seasoned traveller cause i'm not home much these days. I also have so many friends from so many different countries I've been able to meet so many interesting and amazing people along my journey.

 

Who has been your biggest supporter?

My Mum and Dad, they are always there to keep me going and even if they were working they would take days off to come watch my competitions. The first year I spent the season overseas I got really home sick and as soon as my parents heard how upset I was they flew straight over in a matter of days. Mum and dad do everything for me and I Love them so much for doing this all for me.

 

Who has been your best coach?

Ben Boyd, his my current coach and I trust him with the world. He just gets me and knows how my brain works completely and he can read me like a book. Another 2 running up coaches would have to be Elijah Teter , awesomest guy you will ever meet and such an amazing coach and Aaron Savage , he taught me everything there is to know about snowboarding and he was my first coach ,his awesome and I wish he was still coaching.

 

Sporting Background?

Nippers & Swimming is about all I was decent at.

 

Favourite Foods/Diet you follow?

Anything my Dad cooks, I love his food.

 

Your typical training split and favourite thing to train?

Its so hard to say which one is my favourite, if your talking hard training then I would have to say Half pipe cause I love it so much but I love just mucking round learning new tricks with friends in slope style ( which in this sport is actually training)

 

Worst injury you have suffered?

I guess the compression fracture to my L1 in my Back is considered the worst but it doesn't affect me at all anymore besides some muscle damage, it was just annoying cause it happened right in the middle of the fun stuff in a season. I would have to say the most annoying and pain injury is my shoulder, I dislocated it and Have had trouble ever since. I have been to physio the past year and its only just getting better.

 

What is the ultimate prize in your sport?

Gold at the Olympics, X Games and the Dew tour. Also to win a Grom Prix would be pretty good to but Not as much as the others.

 

What do you find to be the toughest aspect of your sport?

Leaving my family and friends at home, all the sacrifices of a normal life to follow winter is the worst. Its hard to homeschooled and not being able to just go to school and slack off a little. Its always the worst not spending Christmas and Easter with your family but finally this year my whole family is coming to Breckenridge for a white Christmas this year so its gonna be great!

 

What is your favourite movie?

So many! Disney movies are my favourite ( i'm still a kid!)

 

What one lesson did you take from your parents?

If you haven't got anything nice to say don't say it at all.

 

How do you deal with temptation?

horrible... food is the worst. I am a big sucker for chocolate but i'm getting good because i'm now on a health food diet, strickly no fatty foods.

 

What is your favourite music/band/song?

I love all the top hits on the radio and stuff but I have the biggest variety in taste of music its ridiculous it depends what mood i'm in . I love rap , punk, country, old school, techno, dubstep , the lot really but depends what mood you catch me in.

 

What is your biggest fear?

The dark ( or whats in the dark I should say )  having 2 big brothers had an effect on me, they loved to scare me as a little kid with the boogie monster and all types of stories.

 

Do you believe "never giving up" is the difference between making it and not making it in any sport?

Yes , definitely . There has been a few times already ( i'll admit it) that I have wanted to give up. It's normal I think. I think kids these days see there heros as people who have never gone through hard times and it looks super easy but really its the times that you push through when you feel like giving up that make you stronger. Its where my favourite quote came in " If you ever feel like giving up, Remember why you kept holding on" what I remember is that this is what I want, I want to be able to do what I love as a job and I remember the feeling of being on my board and flying. That's what keeps me going.

 

Have you ever failed at anything? If yes how did you overcome this?

Yes, many times. Everyone fails sometimes. I have failed in learning a trick. I just kept trying it and trying it and going back to my coach to see what I Had done wrong so I could correct it.  I think I almost failed year 9 to haha whoops.

 

What inspired you to succeed?

Being able to do what I love and consider it as a job. To be the best in the sport.  Everyone wants to be the best, but its the best that have really succeeded.

 

What did you want to be as a kid growing up?

So many things its not funny, I went through phases. The ones I remember is  I wanted to be a vet because I always loved animals ( my dad burst that bubble on the ATAR score I needed ) then a Marine Biologist for along time ( then I started high school and realised I sucked at science ) I always loved Animals and still do.

 

Your future goals in your sports, and goals when you finish your sport?

Obviously to become a high professional Snowboarder and to compete in the X Games, Olympics, Dew tour and maybe some World cups and podium in them. I want to change the history of women's snowboarding so that women are equal to men such as equal prize money and so on. Out of sport I wanted to be a Child care worker cause I also love babies and I'm doing a course at school that qualifies me to be one but i've decided now I want to do something relating to sports media either a sport embassdor or working in the competitions commentating or something to do with TV. I'm not sure yet but i'm sure i'll make alot more changes before I get it. I'm going to go to uni while I am still competing though and I'll actually be doing my HSC on the same year as Olympics so hopefully it will be a busy year ( fingers crossed)

 

Achievements/results so far?

Bronze Medal Slopestyle- Youth Olympic Games, 4th Place Half pipe- Youth Olympic Games,

 

2012 Youth Olympic Games – Innsbruck – Austria

3^rd Ladies Slopestyle

4^th Ladies Halfpipe

               

2011 Perisher Playstation Night Slopestyle Series Final

Overall Grom Girl winner

 

2011 PlayStation Night Slopestyle Series-event 3

3^rd Grom Girls

 

2011 PlayStation Night Slopestyle Series-event 2

2^nd Grom Girls

 

2011 PlayStation Night Slopestyle Series-event 1

2^nd Grom girls

 

2011 Thredbo Freeride Overall Champion

Junior Girls

 

2011 Thredbo Finals Big Air

1^st Junior Girls

 

2011 Thredbo Freeride

3^rd Junior Girls

 

2011 Thredbo Freeride Ridercross

2^nd Junior Girls

 

2011 Thredbo Freeride Slopestyle

2^nd Junior Girls

 

2011 Thredbo Freeride Rails

1^st Junior Girls

 

2011 World Rookie Fest in Thredbo

1^st Grom Girl

 

2011 Hotham Rail Jam

1^st Youth Girls

 

2011 Australian Junior Series – Overall Female Champion

Australian National Female Champion

 

2011 Australian Junior Series – Perisher - Halfpipe

1^st Youth girls

 

2011 Australian Junior Series – Perisher - Slopestyle

1^st Youth girls

 

2011 Australian Junior Series - Hotham Big Air

1^st Youth girls

 

2011- USASA National Snowboarding Championships –

12^th   Open - Slopestyle – (April)

17th Open - Halfpipe (April)

 

2011 Junior World Championships – Australian Team- Italy

9^th   Open Slopestyle (April)

12^th Open Halfpipe – 5th (April)

 

2011- Rev Tour – Mt Snow – Vermont - USA

6^th Open - Slopestyle – (March)

6th Open - Halfpipe (March)

 

2011- Rev Tour – Borreal – California - USA

12^th Open - Slopestyle –(February)

12^th Open - Halfpipe – (February)

 

2011- Rev Tour – Mt Hood – Oregon - USA

4^th Open Slopestyle – (January)

 

2011- USASA Rocky Mountain Series –

Youth Series winner – 1st

 

2011- USASA Rocky Mountain Series - Copper Mountain –

Halfpipe - 1^st Youth (March)

Slopestyle - 1^st Youth (March)

 

2011- USASA Rocky Mountain Series – Vail –

Slopestyle   1^st Youth (February)

 

2011- USASA Rocky Mountain Series – Winter Park -

Slopestyle 1^st Youth (February)

 

2011- USASA Rocky Mountain Series -   Copper Mountain -   Halfpipe 1^st Youth (January)

 

2011- Gatorade Free Flow tour – Vail - Slopestyle

5^th OPEN Slopestyle (January)

 

2010- Thredbo Freeride Series- Thredbo

Overall 2^nd Female Youth

 

2010- Boardercross - Freeride Series- Thredbo – 24^th August, 2010

4th – Female Youth

(Fractured a vertebrae in the final - was leading the race)

 

2010- Ripcurl Freeride – Thredbo – 17^th August, 2010

1st – Female Youth

 

2010- Australian Jnr Series- Australia

Australian National Junior Female Champion

 

2010- Australian Jnr Series-Perisher

NSW Female champion

 

2010-Ausralian Jnr series-Perisher-11-14^th August, 2010

1st – Slopestyle Female Youth

1st – Halfpipe Female Youth

2nd – Boardercross Female Youth

 

2010- Austalian Jnr Series-Hotham-22-25^th July 2010

1st – Rail Style Female Youth

3rd – Big Air Female Youth

 

2010- Thredbo Freeride Series- Big Air 20^th July

1st – Female Youth

 

2010- Thredbo Freeride Series- Rail Jam-19^th June

3rd – Female Youth

 

2010 ESS –Rail Jam - Erina - Australia - 22^nd May 2010
1st – Open Female

2010 USA - Rocky Mountain Series - Aspen
1st - 14/15yrs Girls Halfpipe
1st - 14/15 yrs Girls Slopestyle

2010 USA - Rocky Mountain Series - Copper Mountain
2nd - 14/15 yrs Girls Halfpipe
3rd - 14/15 yrs Girls Slopestyle

2009 NZ – Junior Nationals 2009 (Cardrona) NZ)
OVERALL FEMALE SNOWBOARD CHAMPION
U16 Female Snowboard Champion
U14 Female Snowboard Champion
1st - Snowboard GS U16's
1st - Snowboard Halfpipe U16's
1st - Snowboard Parrallel GS U 14's

2nd - Snowboard Slopestyle U 16's

3rd - Snowboard Gravity X U 16's

2009 Ocean & Earth Teenage Rampage Series - Girls

Youth OVERALL 2nd
1st – Slopestyle - 2009 Ocean & Earth Teenage Rampage

3rd – Halfpipe - 2009 Ocean & Earth Teenage Rampage
4th - BX - 2009 Ocean & Earth Teenage Rampage

2008 Ocean & Earth Teenage Rampage Series –

Youth OVERALL 2nd
2008 Ocean & Earth Teenage Rampage - Slopestyle 1st
2008 Ocean & Earth Teenage Rampage - Big Air 3rd
2008 Ocean & Earth Teenage Rampage - Slopestyle (2) 2nd

2008 Ocean & Earth Teenage Rampage - Pipe 4th

 

If you could have dinner with 5 people who would they be?

beyonce, taylor swift , team manager of redbull (try get sponsored)  Bethany Hamiliton & Julian Wilson

 

What is one item you cannot live without?

my phone

 

People you would like to thank?

My whole family, Mum, Dad, Aaron, Andrew, Granny, Grandad,Aunty Chrissy, My sponsor Betty Rides, All my best friends Laura ,Bec, Casey, Riley , Lexi, And all my other friends and all their families. Anybody who has helped me get to where I am.

 

Any further comments

Thanks to my parents for their on going support and trust in me. I'd also like to thank Betty Rides for supporting me with their awesome outerwear and other goods.

 

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