
By Patrick Lujan
17 years old Irie Fitzgerald is well on her way to becoming a professional surfer.
The Santa Rita resident recently qualified to surf in the United States National Surfing Championship June 19-20 in Trestles Beach, California after finishing fourth overall in the Western Surfing Association’s West Coast Championships last month in Huntington Beach. Fellow Guam surfer Jared Gogue finished third in the men’s division.

Raised on Guam all her life, Fitzgerald knew what she wanted to be since she first stepped foot on a surf board at the tender age of 10.
“I remember seeing people surf while I was at (Talofofo) Beach and I told my parents that I wanted to try.” Her dad Brian gladly obliged and two years later, young Irie was competing.
“I love to surf because it is very connected with nature. The sport can also teach you so much about the ocean, from how tides and swells work to taking care of our reefs. I feel like surfing isn’t just a sport but a lifestyle.”
PRO AMBITIONS
In order for her to turn pro though, she has to compete in regional competitions to gain points. However, opportunity lately has been few and far between in the Asia and Oceania regions because of the global pandemic. She does feel she’s on the right track.
“Most of the girls I compete against are pro,” Irie said. “My chances are high. The pros on tour right now are competing in the same organizations I’m competing in and their placement is at the same level. If I keep pushing it and pursuing my dreams, I feel I can make it.”
OLYMPIC DREAMS
For the first time ever, surfing is an Olympic sport this summer in Japan. Though the window to qualify for these Games narrow by the day, Fitzgerald knows there’s future opportunity for Guam surfers like herself as well as Jared Gogue and Noa Mendiola.
The surf is definitely up!
Note: Irie plans to enroll at GCC this fall to study art and graphic designing. You can follow her on Instagram at @iriefitz
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GPS Sports Calendar
January 2023
- SU
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- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
- 1
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- 7
Events for December
31st
Events for January
1st
Events for January
2nd
Events for January
3rd
Events for January
4th
Events for January
5th
Events for January
6th
- 8
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- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
Events for January
7th
Events for January
8th
Events for January
9th
Events for January
10th
Events for January
11th
Events for January
12th
Events for January
14th
Events for January
15th
Events for January
16th
Events for January
17th
Events for January
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL
Events for January
21st
LIFT HEAVY + LIFT FAST – BFF SERIES
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for January
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for January
24th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for January
25th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for January
26th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for January
27th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
GLORIFIED SPARRING X
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL
Events for January
28th
5K DASH FOR ASH
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for January
29th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 1
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL
Events for January
30th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for January
31st
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL

Running/Track
’23 TRACK SEASON OPENS

Basketball
TAKUMI SIMON MAKING THE BEST OF PRO LIFE

Volleyball
H.S. BEACH VOLLEYBALL IN FULL SWING
COMING SOON …
- 3rd Quarter Sports