I grew up in a little town along the east coast of NZ called Gisborne. Since moving overseas I’ve realised just how good I had it growing up there and I always look forward to coming home.
I moved to the Gold Coast when I was 18 (I’m 23 now). I’m currently studying Marketing and work as a Lifeguard.
Most of my memorable moments in life have had something to do with being in the water. From dad picking me up half way through swim training to go surfing to paddling down the Copenhagen canals in Denmark.
Each day for me pretty much revolves around the ocean. I work all along the central beaches of the Gold Coast and on my days off I’m usually surfing down the coast or having beach days with friends. I can’t seem to get away from it.
On her accomplishments...
Paddling the Molokai to Oahu race would have to be up there as a big one.
I’ve been extremely lucky to have travelled all around the world thanks to surfing and my parents who worked so hard to get me to all those places. Two highlights so far would’ve been a Mentawais boat trip I did last year with 10 other girls and probably a Europe trip I did with my mum a few years ago.
Gisborne is a pretty multicultural town and the schools I went to were good eye-openers to just how privileged my life is. As a kid I was aware some of my Māori mates at school didn’t have the same opportunities I had or the same every day essentials I had. I guess - with a lack of sugar coating things, from a young age I saw how Māori people are systematically oppressed in New Zealand without quite understanding just what that meant yet.
Whilst I’m still educating myself by listening, reading, watching, and talking, a change I wish to see in this world right now would be to ensure every person has equal opportunity in their lives.
This is why I love the partnership between Salt Gypsy and Surf Aid's Mother and Child Health program. What they do for remote communities, (like places we all travel to on surf holidays) is amazing and I’m so stoked to have had a tiny involvement in it!
