Barbados...an Island Paradise

Finally...June a month I was very happy to see! I finished my degree in Sports Rehabilitation and it mean't that it was time for my summer travels!! This excitment was made even better by picking up a new sponsor (Sili Sunglasses) and also being offered a job in a sports injury clinic ready for when I return.

This summer I was lucky enough to return to the beautiful island that is Barbados, 12 years after my last visit. I could not wait to get back there and see how much things had or hadnt changed and to create new memories adding to the amazing ones I already had. 

This was the first time I was old enough to surf in Barbados and the waves did not disappoint! With a super fun left and right beach break right in front of our hotel and a perfect left hand reef break 10 minutes up the road, it was heaven! 

After a surf in the hot sun all you need is refreshing drink. Luckily just down the road from one of the surf breaks there is a healthy and clean eating little cafe which makes the BEST post surf protein smoothies and freshly made sushi.

Barbados is not only home to great waves but also amazing snorkelling with 4 different breeds of turtles. On the last visit I was lucky enough to see baby turtles hatching on the beach as we were walking back from a surf, however on this trip it was slightly different. Just as I was getting out of the sea a massive Hawksbill turtle came up onto the beach looking for somewhere to lay her eggs! Sights like these are ones which are very rare and a memory that is never forgotten. This was not the only turtle sighting of the trip, one evening we got a catamaran which took us to ship wrecks so we could snorkel with the brightly coloured tropical fish and some more turtles! 

It's safe to say that this was not the last time I will be visiting Barbados!! Check out the video below of some of the highlights of my trip away! 

Been a While...

So it was brought to my attention that I havent blogged in a fair few months. Considering quite alot has been happening recently it seems like the perfect time to write about it, so here goes and enjoy :)


The Winter Months

Surfing is not the only sport I partake in, especially over the winter months. Netball is also a massive part of my life and is something I train hard for. Last season was my second year playing for my Universities 1st team and it will be a season never forgotten. With another unbeaten record in the league we were on top form leading up to our biggest game of the year against Plymouth University in Varisty. Its true what they say that hard work really does pay off! We got the win, for the first time in 7 years, with a convinving score of 35-28. It will be a game remembered by many for years to come.

Summer Time

As Uni had finished for the summer, it meant I could go back to Discovery Surf School working as a coach teaching complete beginners to those who are moving towards an intermidiate level of surfing. The South Coast of Devon is known for its lack of swell, so the summer is perfect for stand-up paddle (SUP) boarding along the coastline. I had the opportunity to become a SUP instructor allowing me to teach students from the ages of 14 and up. Being based at Bigbury-on-sea being able to take customers out to see the breath taking views shows them a side of Devon they wouldn't usually be able to see, with the crystal clear waters and iconic landmarks from the sea such as Burgh Island.

June, July and August absolutely flew by which meant it was time for me to take a trip to the South West of France to focus on my own surfing and spend some time with the family and friends. As always Seignosse did not let me down. Waking up, walking over the sand dune to check the surf, having crossiants and fresh fruit for breakfast and being able to surf in a bikini in the french shore breaks and sunshine was perfect and something I had missed alot.
Getting down to Seignosse at the end of August meant that I was able to watch the finals day of the Swatch Girls Pro. It was amazing to see the power in the girls manouvres on such small waves, it really was incredible.
We  also had a couple of smaller days whilst away which meant pulling out the longboard for change. Many people think its much cooler to ride shortboards, but in small conditions its just frustrating! My longboard surfs were some of the most fun surfs I have had in a long time, catching wave after wave and trying to perfect the cross step and hang 5. Overall it was a great trip, its like a home from home down there and I cant wait to get back!
Heres a short clip of my trip along with some pictures too :)

(If you can't see the video, please click this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DuheYQNUsk) 

Whats Next?

My final year of University starts at the end of Septemeber so its time to snap back to reality and get my head down. 

On the side of the studying, I will being playing netball again, focusing on surfing and also my fitness. I have chosen to focus on diet and fitness as it plays a massive part in what I do everyday. Im inspired by quite a few people who have changed their diet to clean eating and seen the results from their fitness regime and have decided thats what I want to do. So hopefully it all goes well and will be posting updates soon.