At the age of 60 I decided to start surfing (early 2024). I've heard a saying that your first 30 years are about learning, the second 30 about living and the last 30 about reflecting.
Well, there's no way I'm ready to sit back, reflect and let life's amazing opportunities pass me by!
My motivation came partly through one of my disabled husband's carers who is a super fit triathlete and surfer, and very positive and encouraging, and like many others I just love the ocean, and having moved to the Sunny Coast in 2021 there's so much beautiful ocean to play with đ
Before starting to surf I bought a 7' board, which seemed huge at the time, then I subsequently found out that bigger boards are more stable and easier to get started with đŹ. After an intense session trying to get out with relentless waves coming in, I thought proper lessons might be a good idea. Through Maroochy Surf School I got started with about 5 lessons (using their bigger boards) and then caught up with other learners informally and through the Sunny Coast Surf Sisters.
Any way that I could connect with others, particularly in a structured sense, made the experience feel safer and more supported, otherwise time just slips away.
While googling local groups I came across the Sisterhood of Surf site and saw many clips of long, low, safe waves being surfed in Lombok. It looked so amazing that I immediately thought 'That's what I need!'.
The May 2024 Lombok retreat was wonderful with Angie being so enthusiastic, very well organised and overflowing with positivity. We had excellent, local surf coaches who were always cheering us on and giving guidance. It felt magnificent to be able to stand up and ride a wave in, and so, so good when there were a group of us able to catch the same 'Party Wave' đȘ đđđđ.
The other women on the retreat were all diverse, yet united by our passion for surfing. We shared so much laughter, meditation, music, tears and dancing. The time I had was so much fun that I've now booked for Sri Lanka 2025 and can't wait to catch up with some of the mischiefs from Lombok 2024, and to make new connections too đ.
If you're wondering about surfing, yes it's a challenge, and yes it's awesome!
Claire X
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