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.

The Return to Bali Part III

So it was that time of year again...Uni was getting tiring and the weather was not improving. This was the indication that is was time for me to go to Bali again!

Based in Nusa Dua, it was the perfect get away to be able to relax, forget about all my uni work and surf world class waves for 2 weeks.

This time accompanied by some family friends, it allowed us to travel all around to show them the amazing sights of the Island.

As always a visit to Ulus was on the cards for many days of the trip, with its perfect left handers peeling along the reef, it would have been rude not to have spent endless hours in the water! Making sure I made good use of the GoPro whilst I was able to surf in a Bikini and clear blue water. Check out my video below!!!

On a day where the waves were lacking, it was an ideal opportunity to go inland and go to the monkey forest and the rice padi fields in Ubud. Lets just say the monkey's and I didnt get on too well...

However taking my mind off of the unfriendly creatures, the views of the rice padi's were simply breath taking, never had I seen anything quite so amazing!

Water Bom, the aqua park in Kuta is always great fun, whether it was to relax on the lazy river or to have a massive adrenaline rush of the most insane water slide ever! With a trap door releasing you into a vertical drop, then looping around exposing you to 2.5 G-force of speed...My god what a ride it was!

Unfortunatley 2 weeks went by far to quickly and it was soon time to return home to the endless amounts of assigments and the horrible grey weather. Back to training hard now though and getting in good shape ready for the summers adventures.

 Ulu's my favourite place

Vita Coco - Powered By Coconuts

Its been a while since I have posted on my blog, but I have some great news about a recent sponsor.

I have been lucky enough to gain the support of Vita Coco Coconut Water, to help me through all my training by helping to keep me hydrated.

Vita Coco Coconut water are the perfect drink to consume before, during and after exercise to replace the fluids being lost. As many athletes would know keeping hydrated is a vital part of a training regime and also to help reach optimal performance. 

Water can be really boring to drink, so what makes Vita Coco even more appealing is that the drinks come in a range of different flavours. My personal favourite is the coconut water with pineapple, tastes so refreshing on a lovely summers day! 

Check out their website and have a look at all of the amazing products! 

http://vitacoco.com/uk/

Bali Bound!

Easter holidays...finally a chance to have a break from A-levels and to get out of the cold weather, what better place to go than Bali!

Two weeks of pure sunshine and amazing waves were definitely the main things I was looking forward to as I set off on the 24 hour journey.

This was my second time of visiting Bali and was a chance for me to get some training done, visit temples taking in the different cultures and ways of life that the Balinese lead (crazy moped driving!!!) and also to be able to just chill out on the beach and not have to worry about revision or coursework deadlines!

A definite highlight of my trip was visiting the temple at Uluwatu, seeing the stunning views, they were simply breath taking, and also being climbed over by the monkeys!
Not only does Uluwatu have a temple but it is home to a world class wave, with long peeling left handers, perfect for practising my forehand surfing! It is safe to say Ulu's is definitely my favourite place to surf in Bali!

Here's a few pictures taken along my trip!

Maroc 'n' Roll!

Last week I returned from my first trip of 2012 to Morocco, training for a week with Joel Gray (coach) and getting some shots with Alex Williams.

Being able to surf in warm water 3 times a day and soak up the sun was definitely a highlight of the trip and I was not looking forward to coming home and having to wear endless amounts of rubber!
Other favourite parts about the trip has to be riding a camel, eatting amazing food and simply laughing non stop with the other girls.
Its safe to say this trip will be a topic of many conversations between us for a long time!

Make sure you check out Moroccan Surf Adventures for great accomodation, food and company!

Here's a few pictures from the trip!

New Year Madness!

Soo 2012 is here! And events for the year are already starting to appear on the cards, with a possible trip to Morocco in February and a trip to Bali in April!

But to start the year what better way to spend the 1st of January going for a bikini swim in the sea!
Around 200 swimmers all participated in the yearly event to raise money for the Shekinah Mission here in Plymouth, the thought of madness sprang to mind as my friend Emma and I prepared ourselves in the freezing cold and rain to take the plunge, but we did it and it was sooo worth it! Considering we were asked to do an interview for the news and also to have a photo shoot for national papers and magazines!

The event was absolutely amazing and we will definitely be heading down again next year to do the same again!

News Clip of the Swim and Our Interview!!

UKPST Awards!

Last weekend saw the surfers on the Uk Pro Surf Tour get all glammed up and suited and booted ready for the biggest event on the UK surfing calander!

Bright and early last Sunday morning was the start of what was going to be a day full of fun, as it was time for the final contest of the season, a contest where the champions were going to be decided ready to be crowned at the awards later that evening.

But before we got our short dresses and high heels on a spot of girly relaxation time in the Esplanade Hotel pool and jacuzzi was in need, as it was a chance to chat, chill and laugh with some of the girls. Below is a few pictures taken by an amazing up and coming surf and lifestyle photographer Ornella Hawthorn Gardez.

When the big hand hit the 12 and the little hand hit the 7,we all had are dresses on and make up done it was time to head down stairs for what we had been waiting for all year, the Uk Pro Surf Tour Awards Evening! Everyone looked stunning and it was nice to see the boys out of their jeans and into the smart black trousers. The evening went down a storm and so much fun was had by everyone, a massive well done goes to all the champions and award winners and I can't wait to see what is in store for us all next year!

A few of us girls all dressed up (c) Ornella Hawthorn Gardez

A Whole lot of Nudists With Some Nalu Bead Fun!

Chuck in a load of French nudists and 17 Janners and you have got yourself a lot of giggles and many strange faces....

Soulac sur Mer, a small french village in the south west of France, a place which seems to have many sights that you may not wish to see, and also some that are very artistic, such as the bunkers on Le Gurp, brightly graffitied with different images all shapes and sizes, as seen below on our mini photoshoot.

A group of 17 friends all from my home town Plymouth, got together for a much needed group holiday filled with sun, fun, surf and also as a surprise for the girls on the trip a Nalu Bead work shop which I was going to be running on day during our 2 weeks. 

The weather could not have been better there was sun everyday which meant it was perfect for hitting up the beaches, although these beaches did come to a bit of a shock when we turned up fully clothed as you do, although thats what we thought, sat in left, right and centre to us were naked bodies, we looked completely out of place! The sights we got to see were not to pleasurable especially the older men that casually wondered pass hanging loose, anyway this didn't stop us as there was some surf, only small but a really fun size, the picture below are of me and my friend Harry surfing Monitlivet.

Once the holiday was really getting going it was time for our Nalu Bead work shop, each of the girls got a kit consisting of the 3 beads, Coxos, Bali and Putsborough. I was there to teach them how to braid their own bracelet. Everyone constantly had a smile spread from cheek to cheek the whole time and where soo happy with what they had created, a quote from Tania who was taking part said " I have now got the bug for Nalu Beads I must go and buy some more to add to this they are amazing!". 

Hearing that makes doing workshops like this one so worth while, I have put together a short video of some pictures taken of the day.

Over all this holiday was so much fun and the company was amazing, it is definitely going to be the talk of our conversations for a long time.

Latest Coverage

Following my trip to France working with O'Neill Surf Affinity, Amy Carter from Flowatersports Magazine contacted me to ask a few questions and find out a little bit more about my background of how I got into surfing and surf coaching and where I am aiming to take it.

Check out the article through the link below:
http://www.flowindsurfing.com/node/1148 

Also earlier on this week a lifestyle picture of me was posted onto Magic Seaweed on the Constatine report page and reached the World Photo page within 75hrs of it being on there, it goes to show how many people visit the website with now over 10500 views.

The photo below is the one which was posted onto the website.

Back to the Cornish Coast

After an amazing trip to France I am now back on the Cornish coast working at the O'Neill Surf Academy, training and also a spot of wild swimming.
Dan one of the coach's at the surf academy invited Ashleigh (Head Coach) and myself to go along with him for a wild swim after work, the sun was shining and there was no wind so we couldn't refuse the offer, besides I had never done it before so wanted to give something new a try.
We drove to Porthcothan and walked about 5 minutes along the cliff path until we reached a little path which would take us half way down the cliff into a little cave, we got suited and booted and were ready to go.
It was so much fun jumping of the cliffs into clear blue water and swimming through all the different gully's, definitely will be doing this again!

There is a short video attached to the link below of our adventure below and also a picture of the group from Latymer Upper School who had a ball at the surf academy this week.

http://vimeo.com/25841253