May Feature Sister Bonnie

Give us a little introduction about you? What you do for a living? where you live? And What you love outside of the surf? 

Hi, I’m Bonnie. I’m originally from the UK and moved to Australia 11 years ago. I live on the Redcliffe Peninsula and own a Real Estate Business. Outside of surf, I love spending time with my family, watching live bands and heading to the gym.

When did you start surfing and why did you get into it?

I started surfing 14 months ago, it was something I was interested in for a long time. Whenever I went to the beach I would admire the surfers but never had the confidence to try it myself, due to being petrified of waves and the fear of drowning. It was only when Angie started SOS that I began to seriously consider giving it a go. I think it was the fact that Angie had been able to create a surf retreat that catered to my beginner needs and that gave me the confidence to try it, and I’m so glad I did! I do procrastinate at times however when the Lombok retreat became available I booked it right away!

Tell us what you love the most about Surfing and one of your memorable moments in the ocean?

There’s many things that I love about surfing, for me it is the adrenaline of being out in the water and being able to catch a wave. It may take a bit of time to catch one but it’s the sheer excitement and achievement that comes once you catch a good wave. Also, I love how the water clears my mind. Running a business can be stressful and you’re always on the go, I find being on the water calms me down and clears my mind…. It may not look like that when I get wiped out but trust me it does 😂 

One of the most memorable moments was my first retreat in Lombok. Near the end of the retreat I caught a really long wave at Kuta that went on forever! I was super proud of myself for being able to do that as it took me a while to get to that point! 

You’ve just come back from your 2nd Lombok trip  with sisterhood of surf. Can you tell us why you chose to come back to Lombok? 

I really enjoyed my first retreat in Lombok, and as corny as it sounds it was life changing for me. To learn a new skill and build up your strength later in life can be a task in itself but I loved the challenge and focus on getting better.  Coming back to Lombok for my second retreat was a no brainer. It was nice to revisit the breaks I surfed 14 months prior, the accomodation and activities outside of surfing are all 5 star and the surf coaches are fantastic! Full of wisdom, care and passion! 

What changes did you notice in your surfing progress since last year?

 How have you progressed?

I have definitely noticed progress with my fitness, having had a neck injury a few years ago I was only able to surf around 1 hour a day last year however in the last 12 months I’ve focused more on upper body strength, which has paid off as I was able to surf for 2-3 hours this time round. 

I also feel more comfortable and calm in the water, for someone who was petrified of waves I’ve been able to put the fear behind me. I feel it was the combination of Angie’s Surf Apnea training and trusting the coaches that helped me. Yes I get wiped out and roll around in the white wash however I’m much calmer since having the right training and guidance from Angie and the coaches. 

Give it a go!! Don’t sit on the beach admiring the surfers. Be the surfer. Yes it’s tiring, and hard work but the feeling you get when you ride that wave…. It’s the best feeling! 

Definitely find your surfing pack, for beginners especially it’s important to get the correct training so that your surf journey is memorable for all the right reasons!

Love Sister Bonnie x