Britt is a well-accomplished Australian surfer from the Far North Coast of NSW, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of seven. She loves sports and took to surfing around the age of twelve. Britt was determined to follow a path in professional surfing, despite her health battles. Some of Britt’s competitive surfing career highlights include various Pro Junior results, three consecutive NSW State Titles, an Australian Title, a World Surf League (WSL) world ranking of 24, Team Australia representation in the ISA World Surfing Games (2016 and 2017), and selection as Australian Team Captain (2017).

Britt has achieved more than most in and out of the water, all while fighting an invisible battle with her Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is a lifelong chronic condition that causes inflammation and ulceration within the gastrointestinal tract.

Learn more about IBD - click here.

Britt has been a volunteer Ambassador for Crohn’s and Colitis Australia for over ten years. She was recognised as the Northern Rivers Adult Volunteer of the Year in the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards for 2020. She hopes to raise more awareness about the condition and has openly shared her journey in the media, at youth camps, luncheons, corporate events, and Parliament House. After a very long and complex journey, and three separate ileostomy bags, Britt now has a permanent colostomy bag (yes, she still surfs with it).

Britt has a zest for life and a vibrant personality. Her smile lights up a room and there’s a warmth about her that people gravitate towards. She’s a glass-half-full type of person, with everything she does. She has become a genuine mentor not just for kids, teens, and other athletes…but for other people with an ostomy bag, IBD, or a health condition.

Britt’s health obstacles eventually forced her to step away from competitive surfing as an athlete, although she is still passionate about the sport and passionate about helping others. She has since worked in the surfing industry in numerous roles, including as Head Coach for the Irukandjis Australian Para Surfing Team at the 2022 ISA World Para Surfing Championships in California. Britt is currently in her final year of a Master of Occupational Therapy (OT), and hopes to one day be able to blend her personal health experiences and sporting background into her profession as an OT.

Learn more about Britt in the July 2022 issue of Allied Magazine - click here.