Getting back to basics

I have been stand up paddling for almost 2.5 years now.... I still remember that feeling when I first jumped on a Sup! My toes were gripping into the deck so hard I got cramps! I couldn't work out how to use the paddle ... But sure enough it all came together.



Providing instruction to my friend Anna

 Over the weekend I had the opportunity to teach 10 close friends how to stand up paddle! It brought so many memories. Scott Penwarn from starboard had several boards for my friends to have their first Sup experience. After a brief instruction , the group took to Sup very quickly, and almost everyone fell in :)

I could see a mixture of excitement and fear in my friends.... It was only a few years ago I was the same!

It was a great feeling to be able to share my love and passion for the sport with my close friends and let them have a small insight into my sport!


All were amazed at the thought of surfing and racing- and a new found respect was found for what I enjoy doing! In return, it brought be back to basics. I haven't had a slow, relaxed flat water paddle in almost 2 years as my focus and drive has been to train... It was great to get right back to basics and enjoy why I fell in love with Sup in the first place!

Up and away!


I had been so busy training, that over time I had forgotten why I started getting into Sup. I had forgotten how peaceful, tranquil, and grounding Sup can be.  I forgot how easy SUP can be - just grab a board/ paddle and seek out a body of water!

Living on the Gold Coast, there is an abundance of water ways, creeks, canals, and of course the ocean. There is so many places to explore!



My friends may be inspired by what I do, but in return they have inspired me to share my love and passion for the sport, as well as setting aside some time each week to find some more places to SUP.

A huge thanks to Scotty for allowing the girls to have the opportunity to try out the sport!

Back to Basics

Learning life's hardest lesson - self acceptance

I believe we all have lessons in our lives... How many lessons will depend on the person! One of my biggest life lessons to date was to learn to accept myself!

I had been struggling for many years with my body image. Being born with strong broad shoulders and athletic body would be some people's dream but for me- it was quite the opposite. I was constantly being asked if I was a body builder, swimmer, triathlete, or how much protein to carb ratio I would eat. People constantly stare - and ask what do I do to be so fit, built, toned,  and big. I have random people telling me I shouldn't work out in the gym anymore or I'll get to big..... Funny as I never go to a gym!

I constantly struggle to find clothing that suits me due to my physique!

Years of constant torment and negative comments about how unnatural my body was for a female lead me to believe and feel I was unattractive, and a freak. I would have very narrow minded people saying I had muscles like a man- it was through the negative thoughts in my head - I was attracting this negativity.

It wasn't until I stood up to myself that things started to change. A few instances where I put people back into their place made me realise that no one has the right to put down your body!  After seeing my healer Julie Kay, and working extensively on changing my thought process from negative to positive. I started to accept my body as a gift rather than a curse and over time things started to change.

I started to thank my body for the gift it has given me- for without it I probably couldn't surf or paddle as strong as I can. I learnt to respect my body and in return my body gave me energy, and strength for racing.

I've come along way.... And the way I see things now that if a complete stranger can't say something positive then they are not worth even knowing!

What I once saw as my curse - My broad shoulders

Everyone has something about there body or themselves that they aren't happy with- but by not allowing yourself to be free of this- your not living your life to full potential!

Hello 2012 and an introduction into me!

Well 2011 has been and gone........ and my NY resolution was to get a blog started...! This will be part of my new business idea- which I hope to also get underway by the end of 2012. 

What a year 2011 was! I'm sure everyone had ups and downs.. I had some great experiences in 2011!

I managed to achieve 2 dreams... compete and win overseas, and go to the Maldives!

In August 2011, I travelled to the Maldives.... HEAVEN! After saving my money, I booked a 2 week trip. 1 week on the Boat - Ocean Dancer, 1 week at Kandooma Resort. Well worth the saving!!!!!

Ocean Dancer

The boat was amazing! I travelled with 6 other people. 3 fellow Aussies, 2 Hawaiians, and one pommie! We didn't score all time epic waves - however we did surf 3-4 ft most days, with only 6-15 people maximum at any one time. This is my idea of heaven! We had some stormy weather - but overall it was fantastic! Surfing Sultans, Jails, Cokes, and Chickens! Cokes was my favourite. It has the most size and punch when we were there! I became very close to a few local sea urchins....







I was so happy to finally be scoring nice long 4ft rights, wave after wave, without any aggression!

The Maldives is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been too. I surfed 3,4 even 5 times a day! I couldn't believe how clear the water was. Besides surfing, we would snorkel, fish and jump off our boat! The snorkeling was amazing - manta rays, eels, sharks, turtles, dolphins, and an array of fish (including NEMO!)

Boat Jumping! YYEEWWW

After every surf , we would celebrate by jumping off the top deck! Scary and exhilarating at the same time! The resort was also great. The southern atolls were allot quieter, but also had perfect waves! My favourite was Lucky Joes,,,, A left hander that would break like Bingin. We surfed here 3 days straight 4ft everyday with NO ONE OUT!

Empty Lucky Joes

After battling Anaemia through 2010- I finally got my iron levels under control by March 2011. I could finally get back into training and start to focus on heading to Hawaii to compete in the Olu Kai race! I trained a solid 4-6 months prior and before I knew it- I was off to Hawaii!

The Olu Kai race (in Maui) was on the same weekend as the Battle of the Paddle (Oahu). It was a hard decision to choose  which race- but in the end I decided an endurance downwind race at the famous Maliko was what I really wanted to do.  I managed to get a 14ft Naish race board from Naish Paddle Centre in Maui (thanks Coach) and did some epic runs with Suzie Cooney, and Chris Pagdilao prior to race day. Race day came round - what a buzz. Such an awesome experience competing overseas! Everyone in Maui welcomed me with open arms, and the vibe was electric!  The race was fast with good winds, and nice glides.... I managed to place 2nd overall in the 14ft class, and won the 30-39 female (14ft) with a time of 1hr 8 minutes for the 8 mile course.  (12.8km for the Aussies) after being so sick - it was great to finally feel on top again! My close friend Suzy Cooney won the 40-49 division -(this pic is of us celebrating our wins)

The Olu Kai race was the second race I competed in over in Maui.. Back in 2010, I flew over to compete in the Naish International Stand Up Paddle Race.. This race was also on the famous Maliko run - covering 9.4 miles. 

This race was what inspired me to start competing overseas. It was such a surreal experience paddling with some of the best paddlers in the world. I set my goal - a time of 1 :40:00 about 6 months prior. I had only started SUP 2 months prior- so I was very unsure of how I would go! To my surprise and delight- I had an awesome race. I hit my target time of 1:40:22 and placed 6th in the elite unlimited women's. At the time, I didn't know I was suffering from Anaemia. This pic is of me- finishing 6th

I also competed regularly at Stand Up Paddle Surfing Comps across Australia. It's great that SUP surf comps FINALLY have a women's division. For most of 2009 -2010 - Aussie girls would have to compete against the men. It's an amazing feeling knowing in someway I have helped women get noticed in SUP surfing by providing us with our own divisions.



In 2010, the first ever Women's Australian Stand Up Paddle surf comp was held. I placed 2nd in this comp and also scored a sponsorship with Laguna Bay Stand Up Paddle. Tully st John has been great, providing me with the option of surfing some amazing boards.

Wild Womens Water Day

My results for 2011 include:

2nd place - Wild Womens Water Day (Surf sup)
4th Place- Noosa Festival of Surfing
3rd Place- Noosa SUP Race
3rd Place - Malfunction (Surf sup)
2nd Place- Coast of origin (regional)
2nd Place- Qld State Surf Titles
3rd Place- Australian Surf Sup Titles
2nd Place - SUPSA SUP Surf Womens

2009-2010

1st - Greenline Sup Race
1st - Australia Day Paddle Race (2010)
3rd Noosa Sup Race
3rd Roar Industries SUP Race
2nd Salt Sup Race
6th Naish International Paddle Race (Hawaii)
2nd Australia SUP Surf Titles
2nd Greenline BOP Race

Malfunction- Final 3rd place (WIPEOUT!)

A little into me....

I also love surfing.... I have surfed for almost 15 years..... I have always loved the ocean, but until I was 15 I could never venture further than up to my waist. I had chronic ear problems for almost 10 years - starting when I was 4 till 14. I have a series of ear infections which led to a number of grommets being inserted in my ears. When I was 9, one came out to early in my left ear - leaving a hole in my ear drum. I couldn't get any water in my ear due to the high risk of infection. Living in tropical Queensland, and so close to the beach - my mum would get specialised ear plugs and a bathing cap - so I could play in the surf. Years of teasing and torment didn't stop me.  I was just happy to be in the ocean. Once I turned 13, i was old enough to have a skin graph operation performed to close the hole in my ear drum. The operation was a success and I was free to go in the ocean- without earplugs. I remember that day- It was at that stage the happiest day of my life. A week later, I went to Sea world to celebrate. For the first time in my life (at 14) I went on water slides - it was a dream come true.... Until I managed to catch an extremely rare tropical ear infection. This caused my ear to constantly weep for 15 months. No drugs stopped it - I was placed on several types of antibiotics to no avail. Several Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialists,CT Scans and tests showed nothing. It wasn't until one Specialist suggested an old wives tale - Aluminium Acetate.. then the infection stopped. It cleared up in 3 days.

It wasn't until this moment, that I was able to get back in the ocean. Armed with earplugs - I started to learn to surf. I think my passion for the ocean steamed from this experience as a child. Today I still bare a scar from the skin graph, and lost about 80% of my hearing in my left ear due to the infection - but it doesn't stop me in any way. I'm still surfing as much as I can today!