But a new coach and the "sparkle" of Olympic qualification this season ensures the popular surfer will head to Bells Beach for another event in good spirits.

Chasing a maiden Gold Coast World Surf League title, the 28-year-old's charge was again stopped in the semi-finals at Duranbah Beach on Monday.

"I didn't quite pull off what I was after, but you kind of have to love it unconditionally and say my intention was there," she said of her loss to long-time rival Carissa Moore.

The top-four finish still puts her at the top of the queue for an Olympic berth at surfing's debut in Tokyo next year, where the country's top-two ranked women will surf for Australia.

A champion middle distance runner as a junior, the former Kiama High School stduent blushes when starting to entertain the thought of a Games tilt.

"Just to know it's a possibility and it being on the agenda and having that sparkle to things moving forward (is exciting)," she said of Olympic qualification.

"Whether you get it or not, I've always thought about the road to, and the team's developed with that in mind.

"The intention's there and all that energy's moving towards Tokyo, so just enjoy the journey."

Three times a world title runner-up, Fitzgibbons spent 40 minutes on the beach chatting to fans before returning to the marshalling area and discussing with new coach Glenn Hall where it went wrong.

Former tour surfer Hall also currently coaches Culburra Beach's Owen Wright and guided his sister Tyler to back-to-back world titles.

Fitzgibbons said her off-season recovery from a fractured shoulder gave her time to think about her next move and their union - after going the bulk of her career without a full-time coach - was the result.

"It does feel like a comfy pair of shoes; we've known each other from way back and it's a brains trust that matches my level of enthusiasm," she said.

"I was ready to offload some of my over-thinking; over the years you take more on.

"You want to go back out there (after debriefing the semi-final loss) but there will be a jersey on offer at Bells."