Please take me home

I ,M FREE!

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4spring 2015

Featuring:

Costa RICa

Indo

suRF FoRECastIng

Karina Rozunko

the travel edition

Shortboard Longboard SUP www.sunshinesurfgirls.com

Sunshine Surf Girls•Australia's only magazine for surfing women

The BeachThe sound of the waves crashing on the ocean’s shore and the feel of sand underneath my feet puts me in a relaxing mood.

It was an early day and the sun was out, not a cloud in the sky and no wind, the smell of the ocean was so strong it was like eating chips with too much salt. It was the warmth of the sun on my skin which made me feel like melting ice cream. I felt relaxed and was ready to catch some beautiful, magnificent waves.

I paddle out on my board, all waxed up and ready to ride. Sitting there running my hands through the shimmering crystal clear water praying for that one beautiful wave to roll in from the deep.

I see a little lump on the horizon, shortly after that I see another three slowly getting bigger each time. I find myself positioning in the water picking the best wave out of the set, it's the last wave and I'm paddling against other hungry surfers that have been waiting for this wave as well.

finally, the wave picks me up and I'm on, I jump up, bending my knees, leaning in as if I'm a pro, weaving up and down the fast powerful face, I'm in a world that no one else knows but me. It's a world of peace and tranquillity. It's the best place for me. I'm free.

Tallara RammWhat a great story Tallara. I think we can all relate to those feelings and the way you’ve expressed it is perfect. – Ed

Letters to the editor

Congratulations Tallara

you havE won a 12 Month subsCRIptIon to ssg!

One LOveSurfing is the only thing I've ever loved.

Surfing can frustrate me to no end and at the same time be the only thing in the world that comforts me.

Surfing in one moment can make me pound my chest, but in the next make me hang my head.

Surfing delivers my only feeling of camaraderie, but at the same time celebrates my loneliness.

Surfing, and only surfing, conjures emotions within me. emotions which concede the idea that maybe just maybe I'm a part of something bigger.

Surfing also makes me aware. aware that I belong to an exclusive group.

a group that knows the feeling of having the earth move us rather than us moving on the earth.

Blessed or depressed, the search for that feeling is what keeps me coming back. The hope and possibility of capturing these feelings makes me believe I just might belong... somewhere.

Scott CuttreSurfing can evoke so many different, sometimes conflicting, emotions. For me, that feeling of belonging is really profound and powerful. I like to think we all belong… – Ed

S u n s h i ne S u r f g i r l s Editi on 4 S p r i n g 2 015 3

When I first landed in Chile on what would be the first in a never-ending series of adventures, I didn’t speak a word of Spanish. It didn’t take me long though to pick up a few essential words and phrases like: ¿Hay olas hoy? (are there waves today?). over the last 20 years, with each new stamp in my passport come new words and, while I can’t do directions, food or tell the time, I can now talk about the weather and waves in Japanese, Devehi, roviana, Bahasa and a handful of other languages. I’m aiming to learn more.

I think all surfers share this wanderlust; the desire to travel and seek out new waves, new experiences and new friends. This edition celebrates that desire with the first of what we hope will be our annual travel edition.

This edition is also our first birthday edition and I couldn’t be more proud! What started as a dream has grown and grown and we’re so happy to be doing what we do. We’ve been on a really steep learning curve over the last year and it’s the feedback we get from our readers, contributors, advertisers and other supporters that make all our hard work seem so worthwhile. Thank-you so much for picking up our mag, for making it what it is, and for being part of our growing tribe.

as we continue to grow, we’re excited to be able to support some wonderful events across australia such as an all-girls Breath enhancement Training course, our first maldives surf trip, the Surfing mums annual getaway, the inaugural noosa Surf film festival and the Wanderlust festival.

Wanderlust is a global yoga lifestyle festival and is coming to australia from 15th – 18th october. regardless of what starts you on your path, Wanderlust is an experience that leaves you different than when you came — with new ideas, new friends, and newly discovered abilities.

We hope you’ll join us at some of our events and continue to explore, dream and discover.

See you in the lineup!

Liz.

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A note From the editor

We love hearing from our readers. Write in for your chance to Win a

prize pack¬o'neill LS fashie

¬rip Curl Swell Backpack

¬�rell Sun; the queen of makaha book

email your letter to editor@sunshinesurfgirls.com

We have 2 x four-day tickets (valued at more than $1000) for

Wanderlust to give aWay!

to enter just jump on our Website and tell us Why you Want to go. easy huh?

I am so happy I have found your magazine as the timing is very synchronistic with my "return to surfing" – I haven't surfed for 26 years and I'm heading back in the water this weekend (am buying a wetsuit first). also, the article "Women Who run With the Tides" was very inspiring! If you have any starting again advice for me I would be grateful.

Leesa MareeWe're so glad you like the mag Leesa! I think the most important bit about starting again is not to judge yourself too harshly... getting back in the water after time out can be really hard – our bodies, our ability and sometimes even our coordination has changed. Remember that it won't be the same, but it will be something you' ll love so treat yourself gently and remember to enjoy the re-learning! – Ed

WIN

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DONAVON FRANKENREITER, SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM, MAMA KIN, WILD MARMALADE, DJ JEFF FELLOWS, THE TWOKS, AROHA, ARLI L IBERMAN, DUBARRAY

JANET STONE, DUNCAN PEAKEOIN FINN, AMY IPPOLITI

GWYN WILLIAMS, NIKKI RALSTONCLAUDINE & HONZA LAFOND

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Jenny RyanDreams of travelling the world

Essential travel gearWe take the hard work out of packing

Rochelle BallardOn barrel riding, life on tour and the future of women’s surfing

SurfAid in NiasGiving a hand up, not hand outs

Karina RozunkoLaid-back longboarding, Californian style

The Real Pura VidaLife in Costa Rica

Understanding Surf Forecasting with Surfline’s Katie Spagnolo

The Future is LiquidSupporting a sustainable future in the Mentawai

THe TeamEditor: Liz DavisonAdvertising: advertise@sunshinesurfgirls.comPublisher: Sunshine Surf Girls; Emma KrusicWeb Editor: Jaymie FaberGraphic Design: Melanie Kilby

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Recycle: After you and your friends have enjoyed reading me don't throw me out... use me as a layer in a no-dig vege garden!

ContEnts

ABN 14 452 593 792 Contributors opinions are not necessarily those of Sunshine Surf Girls © All rights reserved

Q&AWith rising WQS star, Isabella Nichols

Natural RemediesEverything you need for a natural first aid kit

Travelling GoodnessRecipes to help you eat well while travelling

SurferpreneurCatch up with Kat Hogg from Hive Swimwear

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Luke SorensenJo Brebnerolivia Williamsrafael mouraDave gleesonSean Scottfabian Van HolzenCorinne HabelHollie faye

edith WatsonChris grantJill Vining Ben Viningkatie SpagnoloShey IvanovBelinda Le griceThea mcDonald LeeLeah Cohen

natalie Jacqueskelly fieldingkat Hoggpeter Hoggrene marquez Jo Bentorui Leite

ConTrIBuTorS

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WORDS By HOLLIE FAyE

Talented all-rounder, Northern NSW water warrior Jenny Ryan lives and breathes the sea. She’s comfortable in solid 6ft Sumatran waves on a short board, but her biggest love is surfing a SUP.

Jenny’s dream is to surf the earth. With an enviable list of places including Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Scotland, England, France, Spain, Portugal, Thailand, Indonesia, Hawaii, New Zealand, Brazil, Peru and Chile under her leg rope, Jenny inspires us to lug our boards through customs and take flight too…

“I was about 16 and was helping my school friend and her dad clean out their shed when I first fell in love with surfing. There was an old beat up board and my friend’s dad said I could have it. I remember dragging it to the beach and nose diving straight into the sand and getting a blood nose! I got up laughing and went straight back for more. From that day on I was hooked.”

“years later, a very close friend of mine who knows I can be very competitive, challenged me to give SUP a try. I ignored his offer for quite a few months until I finally gave in. Once I got on the board, I immediately felt a connection and wanted to surf it straight away. It feels so natural to me and I have been surfing a SUP ever since.”

Six months before the competitive SUP scene starts, Jenny puts away the short board and concentrates on her training. She has already started prepping for the 2016 season with strength and conditioning classes, pilates and fuelling her body with the right food.”

“I LOVE making my raw bliss and raw treats to get me through the day! I’m actually a bit of a raw treat addict. I always have little homemade treats like bliss balls, energy bars on hand to boost my energy pre/post surf. I really love making acai bowls and green smoothies after a big session in the surf too!”

“Even though I compete on a SUP, short-boarding is still a big love for me. The biggest wave I’ve ridden would have been Ujung Bocur in South Sumatra last September when it was a solid 6ft+. I managed to get some great waves in between the bomb sets! There is something about South Sumatra. It’s still very untouched, remote and nothing like Bali. Amazing waves, beautiful people, delicious food, and lots of places to explore.”

“I’ve travelled most of the East Coast of Australia, down to Victoria and Tasmania. There are so many beautiful waves. I love going to new places and surfing new waves. A few places I love visiting include Port Macquarie, South Coast of NSW, and Tasmania. I still remember visiting my friends in Vicco a few years ago and doing a road trip to Bells and the whole time scoring empty, perfect, offshore waves. The coastline along the Great Ocean Road is absolutely beautiful and we managed to score waves the whole week I was there! We camped at so many spots and had a fire every night to warm up. It was a great adventure with the girls!”

“One of my most memorable trips was when Todd (my fiancé) and I hired a van for 6 weeks and surfed from France to Portugal. When we got to Peniche in Portugal we were robbed. They broke into our van and stole money, phones, clothes, backpacks

and jewellery, but they also took the key! We were stranded in Peniche at a surf spot called Baleal for 4 days while we were waiting for the spare key from our van company to arrive. We managed to meet some really amazing people who helped us in so many ways – they would watch our van while we surfed, or went to get food, kept us company, and would sleep in the same carpark to make sure we were not alone. The hospitality of strangers is amazing!”

“Once our key arrived, we stayed on a few extra days. We moved our van to another car park about 200m from where we were robbed and by chance started talking to some locals. When one of them went into the bush to pee he found a key, pressed the button and our van unlocked! yep, he had found our key that was taken!”

“When I travel, I usually take my surfing SUP and 2 short boards and it’s always a nightmare at airports. I’m very lucky my SUP is light. It’s only 5kg and is lighter than my double board bag. Places like the Maldives are perfect if you don’t have any transfers and your boards can go straight onto the boat but Indo can be challenging, especially in remote places like South Sumatra… I highly recommend taking your own tie downs just in case.”

Where will Jenny’s adventurous spirit lead her next?

“My next trip is to Indonesia for 6 weeks this Sept/Oct for my honeymoon!! And next? Maybe Taiwan or Mexico. I always want to explore new surf destinations…”

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding Jenny. We hope your honeymoon adventure provides you with epic waves and good times!

Jenny RyanarounD THe WorLD WITH

“I try to go on a surf trip a couple of times a year, or save my leave from work and go on a big trip. Travel is a big part of my life. If it’s not a surf trip, I’m planning a snow trip.”

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Ok, maybe it’s just me but I love my booties. They make me dream of tropical islands, warm water and of course, reef.

supERFREaK tRopICaL st bootIE RRp$59.99

¬�Split toe¬�Heel cinch

¬�Velcro adjustment ¬�Available in sizes 5-14

These booties from O’Neill are my faves because not only do they come in my size (v.small), but they’re also super comfy and grippy. After a few minutes in the water, it’s easy to forget you’re wearing them… until you hit the reef and you find you’re the only one in your group of friends whose feet aren’t all cut up!

Rip Curl have come out with a new range of travel bags that just make me want to grab my passport and go!

tEst pattERn whEELEd gEaR bag RRp$109.99

¬�Available October 2015 ¬�75L capacity ¬�Telescopic handle¬�External pocketIf you’re someone who needs to travel with a range of clothing and footwear options, or if you’re travelling with a friend and are happy to share space, this bag is ideal. It’s very pretty (and easy to identify on the baggage carousel) and I like the small external pocket on the front, which is great to stash small things. For me, an internal divider would make this a perfect item.

F-LIght ECo tRansIt paLM IsLand RRp$189.99

¬�Available November 2015¬�Telescopic handle¬�50L capacity ¬�2.4kg bag weight (empty) ¬��Recycled 600D fabric - made using

recycled plastic water bottlesThis bag is perfect for the zen traveller who doesn’t need to take much gear – I love it! It’s small enough to take as carry on (unless you travel with AirNZ or Virgin Domestic) but just the right size to pack everything you need for your next surf trip. It’s easy to carry even when it is chock full of stuff, and the internal compartments make it easy to keep your clean and not so clean things separate. you can also get a matching shower caddy and beauty case.

paLM IsLand tRavEL waLLEt RRp$49.99

¬�Available November 2015¬�ID window, card holders¬�Pen holder, coin compartment¬�Multi document holders¬�Size: 20cm x 15cmI’m pretty good at losing all my important travel documents, so this nifty little travel wallet is great to keep all my stuff together (perhaps Karina Rozunko needs one too? Read the story on page 17).

swELL baCKpaCK RRp$59.99

¬�Available November 2015

¬��Three separate zippable compartments

¬��2 external side mesh pockets

It seems like a no-brainer but it’s essential to take a spare leggie (or two) with you. This Komunity Project one is a favourite of mine because, while the 7mm may be a bit heavier, for me it means extra security (it’s less likely to snap!). I also love that it comes with a three year warranty. I do wish it came in more colours though.

Ks 1.1 – uLtIMatE 7'0" onE pIECE LEash – 7MM RRp$54.95

¬�3 year warranty ¬�One piece moulded cord technology¬�Premium graded urethane¬�Highest grade dual stainless steel free spin swivels¬�Custom detachable railsaver¬�PTT technology (Plug threading tool)

Essential Travel Gear

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Booties

Somewhere to store your stuff

Spare leggie

Other than bOards and bikinis (which we’ll be reviewing in the next edit iOn Of ssg), there’s a handful Of Other things that we think are essential fOr every surf trip.

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sIn EyEwEaR sIREn RRp$39.99

¬�Lifetime warranty¬��Available in 3 colours: Raven (black);

Rubber Tortoise; and Green Tortoise¬��CR-39 lens with anti-scratch coatings¬�PC injected frames¬�Stainless steel hinges¬�Triple paint finishesThese sunnies make me feel like I look cool…which I'm not, so for me that’s a big thing! They’re comfy on my head too – they don’t fall off, but they’re not too tight. Win.

It's hard to argue that sun protection isn't one of the THE most important things to get right for your surf trip. Harsh midday sun and burnt skin can really stifle your wave count.

suRF Mud natuRaL ZInC RRp$19.95

¬�Handmade by surfers, for surfers¬�Tested on surfers (not animals)¬�100% guaranteedI recently tested Surf Mud natural zinc in the tropics where I surfed all day, every day, in harsh conditions. Let's just say that the areas on my skin where I didn't have the zinc, were the only ones that were burnt! Not only does this zinc perform as promised, it's made from natural products so it doesn't feel like you're poisoning your skin with nasties. Highly recommend!

The other thing that’s really important to take with you when you go travelling is travel insurance. Though not all insurance is the same: when you get down to details and read the fine print, you’ll notice that while many insurance companies cover boards ‘ in transit’, most won’t cover them if they break while you’re actually using them. For us, that’s an important distinction.

So, because we’re not only very dedicated but also slightly anally retentive, we sat down and read the product disclosure statements of far too many different insurance policies. Eventually we stumbled upon Indo Surf Travel Insurance, which pays you up to $700 a board for any damage you do while surfing, as well as covering medical costs and medevac flights home.

you don’t have to take our word for it (feel free to scour the PDS’s yourselves, in fact we recommend it!), but we can’t emphasise strongly enough that before you buy travel insurance, ask if it covers your surfboards in the surf.

sIn EyEwEaR pEnanCE (poLaRIsEd) RRp$49.99

¬�Lifetime warranty¬��CR-39 lens with anti-scratch coatings¬�PC injected frames¬�Stainless steel hinges¬�Triple paint finishes¬��Available in 3 colours: Raven; lue Brown Fade;

and Apple Tortoise with G15 (a green lens)I have a pretty small head, so finding sunnies that don’t make me look like a fly can be hard. Strangely, even though these are bigger that the Sirens, they somehow fit my head better.

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Sunglasses

Sunscreen

Travel insurance

A good book

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5A surf trip is the perfect time to put down your devices and really switch off. What better way to do that than with a good book?!

suRF CaFÉ LIvIng: COOKING, ENTERTAINING AND LIVING By THE SEA RRp$34.95

Authors: Jane and Myles Lamberth Published by: Orca Publications

I love Surf Café Living. It manages to perfectly combine three of my favourite things: surfing, eating and hanging at home with friends. The recipes are structured around the seasons and focus on using fresh organic produce. There are hints on everything from beekeeping to harvesting to finding and creating the perfect vintage treasures – which means that this book is one I’ll keep coming back to.

Those hours spent staring at a glaring beach are no good for surfers’ eyes (hello pterygium) so why risk it when you can get so many good sunnies these days?

INTERVIEW By LIZ DAVISON

For more than 20 years, Rochelle Ballard has been continuing to inspire surfers the world over with her impressive barrel riding and fearless attitude. I was lucky enough to catch up with her recently in the Maldives and ask her a few questions…

you’ve been an integral part of competitive women’s surfing for a long time. what positive changes have you seen over the course of your career?

Today, the event production and live coverage of events and surfing itself has become much more entertaining to watch. It allows you to experience the point of view of the surfer, with a much higher level of production. Competitive women’s surfing is now playing in the big boys’ league of quality editing and real time. To me, that is huge in making it more viable as a sport as well as entertaining and informative.

During my last few years on the tour, women’s events were just beginning to get live coverage on the net, but not yet on live cable TV. As far as the performance level of competition is concerned, the ladies today have had an extensive amount of coaching, training, and access to a really high level of surfboard equipment. Boards today are ten times better than when I first entered the pro scene in the 90’s. My last few years on tour (retiring in 07’), we were just starting see Kelly riding shorter boards in larger surf. We were just starting to see the youth generation getting coached early on as they dreamed of surfing careers. We didn’t have that so much growing up. It was available here and there, but not as serious as it is today.

any negative changes?

Maybe the new crew on tour could lighten up a bit and not take it so seriously! There is the aspect of being too serious that takes all the fun out of it. But as I say that, I think in their own way they are really grateful and enjoying the journey they are on. They seem to really embrace the media well and have a good work ethic and there’s nothing wrong with that. But it’s really the first time we are seeing that in surfing. It’s always been a wild, free-spirited sport.

so where do you see women’s competitive surfing going?

There really is an amazing opportunity, with the talent these women have as well as their looks and media savvy. They are now earning around 6 times the amount that we were when I got off the tour in 07’.

what are your thoughts on the new women’s wCt?

As I said, it’s a whole new level of production, competitive ability, and prize purse. I’m excited with where it is at right now. yes there is always room for improvement from event production, to the surfing level, but that’s what makes it exciting. Of course, I would like to see more substantial waves on tour with a higher level of tube riding and big wave skills, but that is the room to grow and improve on just as we all did.

aKa girl surfer, a girls surf addiction, 7 girls and the first blue Crush are all classic women’s surf movies you featured in, why do you think that there are so few surf movies being made now?

I’m not sure, honestly it doesn’t make too much sense. The girls are surfing so well and are inspiring to watch. I do know that my ex-husband, Bill Ballard was a big part of that, as well as Sky Rondenet. They were

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Rochelle ‘Barrels’

Ballard

an interview with

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passionate about women’s surfing and a great deal of that was influenced by my love for surf filmmaking as well.

I loved watching all those movies and seeing you getting so many deep barrels. as the person who, almost single-handedly started a women’s tube riding revolution and who is arguably one of the best tube riders in the world, what do you think makes a good tube rider?

It’s an honour to have that association and gratitude. A good tube rider comes with time and intuition. It’s feeling the wave and it’s timing. Setting the rail and knowing how to position yourself and knowing when you slow down and then speed up again. When a wave is barrelling over you, it’s important to move with its energy and not freeze up. Moving with its energy allows you to position yourself in the sweet spot of the barrel. Every wave is different and so every barrel ride will have a different feel, positioning and timing. Being over the centre of your board and keeping the rail in the wall is key.

you’ve been practicing yoga for a long time and became a teacher recently. I imagine that would also help you maintain your cool in big waves! how do you feel yoga benefits your surfing?

yoga keeps me aware and in tune. It brings me more balance, agility, flexibility and strength, and fine tunes my spiritual growth with

meditation and mantra. I really enjoy teaching and sharing yoga with people and love the practice of yoga. I feel better today than I ever have in my life and I know yoga is a big part of that.

with your own yoga retreats, wellness adventures, surf lessons and competitive surfing career, you keep pretty busy! what motivates you?

My mortgage needs to be paid ha ha! It’s just a part of life to bring in a livelihood and a support system to be comfortable, afford to travel, and enjoy the things in life that I love as well as share with people. I would rather do what I love (and know) for a living, than something called a ‘job’. I’ve spent my whole life since I was a teenager wanting to know the secrets of success, health, vitality, strength, balance, dynamic movement and living without pain. As I have found those things for my life, it allows me to share that with my clients.

and finally, what is your proudest moment as a surfer?

Being connected to the ocean and the elements each time I go surfing always make me feel good. It’s absolutely beautiful, healing, and inspiring. The ocean connects me to Ke Akua more than anything in this world…

SSG 1/8 95 x 68SUNSHINE SURF GIRLS - 95 mm x 68 mm

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A hand up in Nias WORDS By CORINNE HABEL

“How did I get here?” It’s a question I’ve been asking myself a lot in the last 24 hours. Mother of four, on the far side of forty, on the back of a motorbike, sweating like crazy on my way to a remote village in what feels like the middle of nowhere. But I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones; raised in a developed country with plenty of access to medical care for myself and my tribe of kids. The places I’m about to visit have none of those luxuries. Women and children carry water for kilometres for drinking and bathing and oftentimes, women give birth hanging on to nothing more than a rubber tree for support. These are all too common occurrences and sadly, not just stories we see on the evening news.

The villages we are headed to are in Nias, Indonesia, near one of the world’s best surf breaks. Sorake Bay boasts a perfect right-hander that was the first world-class wave discovered in the Sumatra region by Aussie surfers. In fact, not too far in front of me on another motorbike is current Women’s WCT Number Two, Courtney Conlogue. A SurfAid Ambassador, Courtney has taken time out of her world title bid to check things out for herself (and to score some great surf conditions at Sorake).

We are also lucky to have yasnyiar Bonne Gea on this trip with us. Bonne, the 2014 Asian Surfing Championship Women’s champion is from Nias, so is a real hit with the locals.

As we arrive in the village, we are greeted by dozens of children of all ages who have come to the monthly health clinic. A place where, with support from SurfAid, volunteers from the community provide health services to pregnant women and children under five. Here is where you go to have your child weighed, immunised and to get basic information about pregnancy, childbirth and childcare. It has the feel of a women’s gathering the world over and, even though I can’t understand a word of the local language, I can tell what they are talking about: “Did you get any sleep last night?” “What is your baby eating?” The timeless questions all mums ask.

Before SurfAid worked in these villages, out of 150 pregnancies annually, eight women were dying in childbirth and 22 kids under five were dying every year. Gruesome statistics. Since SurfAid began work here three years ago, health has dramatically improved. In the last 12 months, there have been no maternal deaths and only five children under five have died. It is clearly five too many, but progress nonetheless.

Courtney and Bonne jump in with the local women to help in a cooking class. Simple solutions like better nutrition are key to what SurfAid does to improve health in these areas. Stories abound of the vitamin rich local spinach being fed to the pigs, while the kids were fed rice. Later, we are proudly shown the local vegetable gardens. Mums are seeing the positive effects of feeding their kids healthier food.

Behind all this is the indomitable SurfAid Country Director, Anne Wuijts, a Dutch native, fluent in Bahasa and boundless in her enthusiasm for SurfAid and its work. It’s no easy feat working in these remote areas, but it’s something that Anne and her team of Indonesian staff do incredibly well. In addition to the villages we are seeing in Nias, SurfAid works in the Mentawais, Sumba and Sumbawa. Places where surfers love to go, but few others venture.

“Long-term behavioural change is what SurfAid is all about,” Anne tells us as we hike along a trail on our way to check out a water facility. “A hand up, not a hand out,” is the mantra. SurfAid works in these villages for the long term ensuring multi-generational changes – like encouraging exclusive breastfeeding and hand washing – that have significant positive impacts on health. The water facilities we are seeing

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were built and are maintained by the local village members, not SurfAid. Technical assistance is provided by a water engineer, as are things like pipes but all the trenches and labour are provided by the community. This way, ownership of the water and the future of the water facility is the responsibility of the community.

Started in the Mentawai 15 years ago by intrepid surfer and doctor, Dave Jenkins, SurfAid continues to provide award winning humanitarian aid in the region. Having responded to five earthquakes and tsunamis in the area, SurfAid has also

built a solid reputation for its emergency response program.

As we return to the village, I collapse in a heap guzzling water while Courtney plays a rousing game of volleyball with the local kids. As I continue to recover, Anne goes on “SurfAid is the charity of choice for many surfers. It’s the perfect intersection of doing what they love and giving back to a place that has given them so much. Our work is making a real difference to the health of these communities and is saving lives”. As I contemplate the return trip, I imagine how hard it would be to be heavily pregnant

and taking that bumpy motorbike ride back to the main road to the closest medical facilities many, many kilometres away. Most pregnant women opt to walk. I can’t imagine that option either.

Courtney too is blown away by what she has seen and tells me it was a life changing experience. I’m glad we’ve had the chance to show her this work and to share the responsibility for supporting these communities in places we love with the next generation of surfers.

For more information about SurfAid, please visit www.surfaid.org. Corinne is the global director of marketing and fundraising for SurfAid. you can contact her at corinne@surfaid.org

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WORDS By EDITH WATSON

Karina Rozunko is a laid-back, longboarding Californian girl who loves tiptoeing up her boards, and at just 18 years of age, she’s ready to take on any challenge that lies ahead. In 2013 Karina competed in the Swatch Girls Pro in China with an ankle injury, and managed to place equal 3rd, after going down to Kelia Moniz in the semi-finals. The following year saw the 17 year old competing with style and grace alongside some of the world’s best female longboarders, finishing 9th in the GoPro World Longboard Championship.

whERE It aLL staRtEdGrowing up in San Clemente, Karina loved the beach and was always doing something in the ocean. Her earliest memory is of her dad taking her out surfing – before she could even walk – by tandem surfing with

her in overhead waves. Too traumatised to go back into the ocean after being stung by a Portuguese Man O' War at the age of 7 when playing around in the waters of Sayulita, Mexico; Karina decided to get out of the ocean and into gymnastics.

“I probably walked on my hands more than my feet,” she explains, but after the amount of injuries suffered thanks to the gymnastics, she turned back to surfing.

“Being born and raised in California definitely has its perks, from surfing perfect sets in Malibu, Rincon, SanO, and having Trestles in my backyard, there is always some sort of wave to be had here in California,” she tells me.

“I love where I live and the gal pals I have are so fun as well.” Karina’s group of friends include Hallie Rohr, Luki O'Keefe, Lola Mignot and Makala Smith, who all spend their spare time travelling around the

world together. They visit places like Bali, Australia, Mexico, as well as going up and down the Californian coast, shooting photos and having a good time in the surf sharing waves.

thE suRFIng LIFEKarina started surfing on a shortboard when she was 11 with her brother, Tanner, and his friends, who pushed her to become better. She believes that her real love of surfing began when she started longboarding in SanO.

“Just the movement, style and grace on a log is like nothing else.”

When she was 15, Karina competed in her first professional event in Ventura, California. To her surprise, she ended up winning the contest, and without knowing, qualified for the World Longboard Title held in Hainan, China. Her favourite contests are events such as our very own Noosa Festival

Longboardinglaid-back

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of Surfing, The Deus Nine Foot and Single in Bali, the Joel Tudor Duct Tape Invitational and the upcoming Women's Logger event in Malibu.

aRound thE woRLd

“I started really travelling when I was I6; sometimes for contests, but other times, just for surf trips. It was during this time I took up home schooling.

I feel like I learned just as much travelling as being in a classroom! My curriculum was exploring different lands and immersing myself in other cultures.”

Karina says that she considers herself as a ‘go with the flow’ sort of traveller, but loves to have a full experience wherever her adventures lead her…

and the things she can’t do without?

“Camera, journal, duct tape, sarongs (because you can use them as an outfit), head wrap, towel, shade and a bag. Oh and my passport, sometimes I forget to bring that when leaving a country and then I have to stay in paradise a month longer,” she laughs.

bE InspIREdKarina leaves me with some words of wisdom, “Do what makes you happy and know that anything is possible if you want something badly enough”.

“Don’t get stuck doing just ONE thing. Branch out, learn something new and get creative. Surfing is so amazing and can lead you to great places, but finding other interests is important too.”

After chatting with this young longboarder, and watching her compete earlier in the year at the 2015 Noosa Festival of Surfing, I’m impressed by both her wisdom, and her surfing style and grace.

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noosasurffilmfestival.com.au

23 & 24

th E R Ea L pu R a v I da – LI FE I n Costa R ICa –

The surfing, the wildlife, the people… The experiences I’ve had and the memories I’m making in Costa Rica are priceless. It really is the real pura vida.

WORDS By JILL VINING AND IMAGES By BEN VINING

A year ago, my husband and I moved to Costa Rica to start our lives together as a married couple and travel the world. After a year spent exploring this beautifully diverse country, we have definitely had our fill of pumping waves!

When we first arrived, we knew we would have to find a location with a good internet connection in order to be able to run our business. After some research, we decided that Tamarindo would be a safe place to start but the surf in the town itself was less than desirable. So after a month we packed up and headed south down the Nicoya Peninsula to find some real waves.

We spent about six months enjoying the chilled out wet season lifestyle, which consisted of surfing some consistent waves,eating lots of fresh seafood and doing a bit of work as well. After a quick visit to California for Christmas, we decided we wanted to go further south to the remote southern zone of Costa Rica.

We settled in a small surf town called Dominical, where the stroll to the beach is down a dusty dirt road and the surf is heavy. This sleepy town is famously known for heaving barrels and lots of broken boards (we snapped 5 boards between us). If you come to this region, make sure you have strong arms, a good duck dive and big cajones!

After getting bashed, rashed and thrashed in Dominical, we thought we’d try a point break for a while so Pavones was our next stop. We’d heard rumours about long rides but we were sceptical. We were stoked to find that this spot really does deliver some of the longest lefts! We stayed just up the road from the break and had some epic ocean views from our cabin at Lanzas de Fuego.

One of the awesome parts about being a travelling freelancer is having time to do the things you've always wanted to do. For me, this allowed an opportunity to volunteer at a local wildlife sanctuary. Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary quickly became one of my favourite workplaces and I learned so much about wildlife management and care.

The Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary is a facility which receives animals that the government of Costa Rica confiscates from any type of illegal situation, for example – the illegal pet trade or illegal domestication. They also receive abandoned or orphaned baby and adult animals that have been injured but survive. They rescue, rehabilitate and release them back to their natural habitat and provide sanctuary for those animals that cannot be returned to their natural habitat because of disability, injury or severe over-domestication.

After opening their doors in November 2014, the sanctuary now has over 70 animals in their care, 4 full-time staff and only a handful of volunteers. I was instantly inspired by their mission and the work they were doing, so I chipped in a few days a week to help. The organisation is highly knowledgeable in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of wild animals and the sanctuary is a one of a kind for the country.

If you’re interested in helping the Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary, please visit their website for more information. www.villasalturas.com/alturas-wildlife-sanctuary-in-costa-rica

I was born and raised near the beach in Cape May County, New Jersey. I started surfing with my dad and brother when I was around 7. Before long I was competing in local surf contests and continued to do so through high school. From a young age I decided I wanted to be a meteorologist and I never changed my mind. I attended college at Florida Institute of Technology, where I was a member of the school’s surf team, and I received my Bachelor of Science in Meteorology in 2012. I’m currently living in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

you’re one of the only female surf forecasters in the world, how did you get into it?

My family and I had been using Surfline for as long as I can remember. I always thought that surf forecasting sounded like an exciting career that would allow me to utilise my love of both weather and surfing. When I was in college I was lucky enough to meet a

couple of Surfline forecasters. Those chance meetings are what got me started in a part-time forecasting position during my senior year. I learnt so much during that time and was grateful to be offered a full-time position after graduation.

what’s the weirdest thing you’ve learnt in your job?

I have found that not everyone is going to agree on the quality of the surf. There are many different opinions on what is considered ‘good’ surf. One person’s best day surfing might be someone else’s worst day. While Surfline does have a scale for the wave heights and ratings on our reports, most people tend to make their own judgments.

… and the best thing?

It’s a really good feeling to track a swell and update forecasts all week, then have the forecast verify exactly as you predicted. Also, being able to surf the waves you’ve forecast!

there’s seems to be a lot to forecasting, can you explain a bit about what goes into creating a forecast?

We start the day by analysing the current surf and weather conditions to determine what is happening now. This is done mainly via HD cams, buoy observations, and wind observations. This helps us to verify our forecast and can help us understand what may have gone right (or wrong) with a previous forecast.

After we have an idea of the current conditions, we take a look at our in-house swell model (LOLA) which outputs wave heights, swell direction, and swell period for our forecast regions. We can also compare LOLA to other available surf models to determine how well the models are performing.

We also check available computer model guidance throughout the day to determine what will happen weather-wise over the

WITH SURFLINE’S KATIE SPAGNOLO

UNDERSTANDING HOW DIFFERENT WEATHER PATTERNS AFFECT THE SURF IS INTRIGUING FOR MANy OF US, AND DOWNRIGHT BAFFLING FOR OTHERS. SURFLINE’S KATIE SPAGNOLO HAS COMBINED HER LOVE OF BOTH THE WEATHER AND SURFING TO BECOME ONE OF THE ONLy FEMALE SURF FORECASTERS IN THE WORLD. WE CHATTED WITH KATIE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HER, THE WEATHER AND THE WAVES.

UNDERSTANDING Surf Forecasting

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forecast period. It’s our job to know whether these models are running hot or cold and we try to communicate this in our written forecasts if needed.

Although we have some great resources available to us as forecasters, nothing beats experience and learning how to connect different types of weather features to swell production.

with so much technology available, do you think it’s still important for surfers to understand the weather?

Absolutely. It’s never a bad thing to learn something new! The weather can be

unpredictable – and while technology does make things easier, gaining experience and local knowledge of weather patterns and how they affect the surf in your region will always be a useful tool for any surfer.

As surfers, we tend to travel a lot! How can an understanding of surf forecasting help in our travels?

Planning a surf trip is not always easy. Most people only have a certain amount of vacation time and don’t have the luxury of hopping on a plane last minute to catch a swell. When a trip is planned too far in advance, there’s always a chance there may not be any waves. By knowing the time of

year when waves are best in certain parts of the world and having a basic understanding of reading long range wave and weather charts, surfers can have more confidence when booking a trip.

what’s the #1 secret, or your top tip, to getting to the swell before anyone else does?

Do your homework! Check out the buoys the night before to see if the swell is on track. Also, looking at the predicted winds and tides ahead of time will help to determine which spot will be best. Wake up early and of course, head over to Surfline.com for the latest updates!

If you’d like to know more about surf forecasting, head to the web: www.sunshinesurfgirls.com/surf-forecasting-101-how-to-read-a-chart

WORDS By THEA MCDONALD-LEE

Five years ago, curiosity first took Lizzie Murray, the founder of grass-roots organisation A Liquid Future, to the Mentawais. Driven by all that she had read about these paradise islands scattered in the Indian Ocean, Lizzie wanted to see first-hand just how the surfing industry was affecting the wave-rich atolls. “I hadn’t been able to imagine how the surf charter boats and surfing played out in such a place” she recalls.

She was driven by one thought: if the Mentawai people and their waves are to survive the damaging effects of mass tourism, collaboration is vital.

“Sharing ideas and knowledge, being able to communicate and therefore empathise and have some sort of understanding of this other person’s reality is paramount”, Lizzie tells me one afternoon from her base in the Mentawai capital, Tua Pejat.

A Liquid Future started with a few kids on the beach who could see English might be their key to participation in all that was

happening around them. At their request, Lizzie hung out on the beach with them for three months helping improve their English, before returning to Australia.

“I worked for a bit then sold all my stuff and went back to the islands in 2012 to try a pilot program. I wanted to see if it was going to work in reality. Could I do it? Did they really want it?” Lizzie remembers.

As word spread among the villagers, more kids and adults started arriving at the beach for their English lessons. The lessons morphed into additional swimming and surf lessons and SurfAid lent Lizzie their building. 100 students later A Liquid Future was formed.

“And that was it. It was just one of those moments when you go, ‘holy crap I’m terrified but this is what I’ve got to do. It’s a force greater than me! If I don’t try now I’ll regret it forever.” Working in the Mentawais has never been easy. Lizzie was a one-woman project in 2013, juggling the legal and administrative

aspects of the organisation alongside teaching every class. But she persisted “We relocated at the end of 2014 and that was obviously the place we were meant to be because everything just happened effortlessly after that!” she smiles.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle facing the region’s tourism right now is the lack of decision making power within the communities themselves. The Mentawai Regency, which is responsible for decision making in the area, doesn’t have a strong history of making decisions that are beneficial to the Mentawai people. After collecting a tourism tax through a bylaw that was passed in 2012, the head of the Mentawai Regency and the Tourism Office were both jailed for corruption.

“The Mentawai government wants to make money. They want the opportunities that we have and I totally understand that”, Lizzie speaks with an air of someone who has experienced it first hand, “but the regional governments who pass the laws and make the decisions may not make the ones that are best for sustainability.”

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The onus also lies with us. Surfers have a responsibility to the places they visit. Our presence in some of the most remote corners of the world can drastically affect the people we come into contact with. While western understandings of sustainability can be utilised by the Mentawai Government, it’s not up to us to impose our way of living on another culture.

“I grew up travelling and I was always going to those places to learn. It was for curiosity and to explore, but also to absorb and learn from another country, see the different things it had to offer and not just take what I already knew to a place and impose it there.” Lizzie tells me.

“I find it hard to deal with when I travel to places and you see someone from the outside coming in and just doing what they want; opening a resort, shop, whatever it is.”

This is where A Liquid Future comes in. It’s a group of dedicated volunteers who listen to what the Mentawai communities want, and then help to facilitate their dreams. Learning English to be able to interact with tourists and put themselves in a better position for

job opportunities is one way the communities want to be a part of the ever changing dynamic they see around them.

“There’s a general English class for many of the children and adults because that’s what they want. Then there’s a class called English plus surfing”, Lizzie tells me.

"The idea is that they gain positions as decision makers in resorts, not just waiters, and become caretakers and controllers of their own place. For that to happen effectively, there needs to be learning on both sides”, she concludes.

Lizzie is worried that western dominance will eventually teach the Mentawai people their way of living holds less value than ours. “you know, a lot of the Mentawai people are really shy. They have such a different knowledge and skill set that we stand to benefit from, but they can easily get eaten up in the western confidence and bravado. Their knowledge and how they see the world has great value. It’s just sometimes our way of viewing things can just bulldoze them. It’s not because one is right and one is wrong, it’s just they’re different.”

Collaboration is at the core of everything Lizzie stands for. “What the world really needs for the challenges we face is to use collaborative knowledge to find the best solutions. It enables efficiency and effectiveness while cutting out expense and time wasting. Pooling ideas and sharing ideas across cultures and sectors is incredibly powerful and it's what the world needs as it becomes more globalised”, she says resolutely.

The goal for A Liquid Future is to partner with other sectors to bring about this change. SurfAid, The Perfect Wave Surf Experience, Rip Curl, Waves For Water, and Aloita Resort are a few of the associates already on board. What Lizzie is urging everyone else to do is use the skills they already have to help fulfill the dreams of the Mentawai people and others in similar situations.

Lizzie’s unwavering vision shines through in her final comment: “The bottom line has always been that the people wanted it. I never wanted anything to stop the people having something that they need and want so much. Everything else you can always overcome.

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SSG have teamed up with The Perfect Wave to run all-girls

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Maldives. Come and join us on our next adventure.

For more information head to sunshinesurfgirls.com or drop us a line

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w Ith wQs R IsIng sta RQ&aisabella nichols2015 has been a big year fOr 17 year Old

cOOlum lOcal, isabella nichOls. her first year

On the wQs has seen her travel the wOrld, win

multiple events and sOlidify her spOnsOrship

with billabOng australia. we chatted with her

fOr a Quick Q & a.

how did you get into surfing?

I first got into surfing at the age of 11, when my dad took me to the beach and used to bribe me with McDonalds to go surfing. That's not the case anymore! Now I try surf everyday if the surf is good and when it's not I hang out with friends, play music or read. I love surfing because of the sense of freedom you get when riding the ocean.

where is your favourite place to surf?

If I could surf anywhere in the world I would have to go back to Lakey Peak in Indonesia.

what’s the vibe like in competitive women’s surfing?

Most girls my age aren't too hostile in the water so it's a pretty chilled atmosphere. I like to think that I take comps seriously but I always love a chat when I'm in the water, it calms the nerves. I know all the girls I surf against and when we get out of the water it’s all smiles.

you’ve been so successful in your surf career at such a young age. how does it feel to win an event?

Winning feels amazing! But it's only made amazing by the losses that you encounter along the way. Competitive surfing adds a dimension to my life like nothing else. It suits my nature and drives me to improve.

do you have a board of choice?

For me it’s shortboards all the way. I don't really have a fave board at the moment but I'm loving all the boards I'm getting from DHD!

as a young person yourself, what advice would you give to other young women who are keen to get out there?

The advice I’d give is just go for it! It's a fun enjoyable sport and we need as many girls out in the water as we can!

good luck on tour Isabella, we’re cheering for you!

SIENNA COULTERTEAM RIDER

soulsurf.com.auSURFBOARDS

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natu R a L R EM EdI E s F o R yo u R t R av E L F I R s t a I d K I t

Grapefruit or Citrus Seed Extract Numerous studies have shown that the extract from grapefruit seeds and other citrus seeds have high anti-bacterial and anti-fungal actions against a wide variety of different bacteria and fungi. Just a couple of drops of a good quality grapefruit seed extract in water can be taken two time daily as a gastrointestinal antiseptic if you start to feel the dreaded ‘travellers belly’ come on.

When purchasing grapefruit seed extracts, make sure you are buying from a reputable source as some have been found to have been altered in some way.

ProbioticsBalanced gut bacteria or microflora is important for gut immunity. By now most people will be aware of probiotics and the need to ensure your gut has the right balance of present bacteria. When opportunistic bacteria invade the gut, this balance is disrupted. By taking probiotics at the onset of a stomach bug, you can help restore your body’s natural microflora to help yourself recover from a gut infection quicker.

Usually probiotics need to be kept in the fridge but when travelling, buy ‘shelf stable’ probiotics which have been manufactured to withstand warmer temperatures. Do keep them in the coolest place possible though when travelling to tropical climates!

Slippery Elm powder Slippery Elm is the inner bark of a tree and has been used for centuries for its soothing, healing and nutritive properties. It can be used to help soothe the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines during respiratory or gastro intestinal infections. It can help soothe your stomach after you have eaten food that didn’t agree with you. It can also be used to assist in recovery from illness. you can buy slippery elm as a powder or in capsules. I think it’s best to use the powder and mix it with water to form a type of paste, or you can add it to food. Due to its mucilaginous or ‘coating’ effect

Slippery Elm may inhibit absorption of some medications so should be taken at least a couple of hours away from them.

The slippery elm powder can also be used as a poultice for any type of skin wound. To do this: boil water, cool and add the powder to form a paste. Apply the paste to wounds and cuts and then cover to help them heal.

Arnica and comfrey cream A must for any type of adventure holiday! Arnica is great for any type of physical injury to the body that causes inflammation and bruising however, do not use arnica on any type of open wound.

Comfrey has an affinity for the ligaments and can help with the healing process for soft tissue damage.

Arnica and comfrey cream should be applied to the injury as soon as possible. you can buy them individually or combined as cream, homeopathic liquid and tablets.

Mosquito repellent: Some people tend to get bitten more than others by mosquitoes. This is due to a compound that is secreted by the body which mosquitoes can’t smell. It makes you ‘invisible’ to them, so people that naturally secrete more of this compound attract less bites!

Mosquitoes don’t tend to like the smells of the essential oils, citronella, eucalyptus and lemongrass so find a natural insect repellent which contains these ingredients.

Chickweed cream Chickweed is a plant which has a soothing effect on anything hot and itchy. A cream or gel made of chickweed can be applied to mosquito bites, jelly fish stings or any other type of sting or bite to reduce the itch.

Aloe Vera Gel The gel of the aloe vera plant can be used to cool and heal any type of skin condition. It is especially good for soothing and healing sunburn. you can buy the gel in a tube or if you are in a place where there are aloe vera plants, you can pick a leaf, peel the outer skin off and rub it over the affected area.

WORDS AND IMAGES By NATALIE JACQUES

When travelling to countries overseas where there is a high chance of infectious diseases, low sanitation and dubious health care, it is important to go equipped with your own first aid kit. as a naturopath and well-travelled surf adventurer, I’m going to give you a few tips on natural remedies that can be added to your first aid kit as preventatives or in some cases, as an initial treatment. Depending where you travel to, gastro intestinal bugs are usually the major concern followed by wounds, pesky insects and perhaps the odd bit of sunburn.

NATALiE JAcQUES is a qualified naturopath who works in The Herbal Dispensary, Raglan, NZ and is also founder of Wanderlust Surf Adventures; a female surf, yoga and wellness retreat.

Travelling goodness

RECIPES By KELLy FIELDING AND IMAGES By BELLA & BHAKTI

eating well while travelling can require a little extra thought and planning. When you are on the road, you are more susceptible to illness if you are travelling in confined, air conditioned spaces, staying at hostels or hotels or if you are eating your meals at various roadside stalls or cafes. of course, this is all part of the joy of travelling and embracing what your destination has to offer, so finding a balance between looking after yourself and being open to change and adventure is the perfect solution!

If you find yourself somewhere with a self-catering kitchen, or if you’re looking to make some things at home before your adventure then check out these recipes for some simple, healthy and transportable ideas.

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www.bellaandbhakti.com info@bellaandbhakti.com bellaandbhakti bellaandbhakti

Best Green Smoothie EverSmoothies are a fun way to take vibrant nutrition on the road. If you don’t have access to a blender, try investing in a hand held shaker bottle so you can still shake up juice with things such as spirulina, maca or chocolate protein powder to keep nourished and energised as you move around. If you do have access to a blender while you travel, or if you are looking for a simple meal to take on a plane or car ride, this smoothie recipe below is a delicious and satisfying combination that will give your immune system a real boost!

Ingredients• 1frozenbanana• ½cucumber• 1passionfruit(pulponly)• ¼ripeavocado• 3kaleleaves• ¼teaspoonoforangezest• ¼inchpieceofginger• ¼inchpieceofturmeric• Apinchofcinnamon• Asqueezeoflimejuice• 1teaspoonofgreenspowder• ¾-1cupofalmondmilk(dependinghow

thick you like your smoothie!)

Blend until perfectly smooth and enjoy!This can be poured into a drink bottle or glass jar to take with you on the road.

clean Green Nori Rolls with avocado, sprouts and tahiniThis was my staple travel food for a while, sometimes minus the fresh sunflower sprouts! I love having nori sheets, macadamia butter or tahini and some good quality salt with me when I move around. It is usually pretty easy to pick up an avocado or some fresh greens along the way and this is a simple, easy to make, fresh and tasty snack that will give you a good boost of antioxidants and healthy fats.

Ingredients• 4rawnorisheets• 4tablespoonsoftahini• 2cupsoffreshsunflowersprouts• 2avocados• Adozensundriedtomatoes• Himalayansalt

Lay the nori sheets flat and fill each one with onetablespoonofmacadamiabutter,½acupoffreshsprouts,½anavocado,afewslicedsun dried tomatoes and a pinch of salt.Roll the nori up and eat fresh with your hands.you can choose to add any fillings you like, but I find this particular combination so simple and so tasty. Sometimes I will add a spread of miso paste instead of the salt.

carob and Orange Slice with AmaranthThis slice is a great option when you are on the road. It is quick and easy to make and travels well. It will offer you a delicious healthy treat that is high in protein and acts as the perfect breakfast bar or late night snack!

Ingredients• ½cup(125ml)coconutoil• 2tablespoonscoconutbutter• ½cupcarobpowder• 2tablespoonscoconutnectar

(you can use honey if you can’t find coconut nectar)

• pinchofsalt• 1cuppuffedamaranth• ½cuppuffedquinoa• ¼cupcranberries/raisins• ¼cupflakedalmonds• ¼teaspoonoforangezest

Gently melt the coconut oil and coconut butter in a saucepan. Sift and stir in the carob powder and blend in the coconut nectar, salt, orange zest, puffed quinoa and amaranth, cranberries and almonds.Grease and line a slice pan. Pour the mixture in and chill in the fridge overnight until set. Cut into snack-size bites and enjoy.

Overnight Breakfast Jarsovernight breakfasts have become very hip and trendy lately! not only are they pretty and fun to make, they are full of wonderful nutrition and a perfect way to transport a delicious, satisfying breakfast. They are very versatile and can be adapted to suit your tastes. This is one of my favourites.

find a small to medium sized glass jar. Layer with your favourite fillings such as:• 1tablespoonofrawoats• 1tablespoonofflakedcoconut• 1tablespoonofraisins• 1tablespoonofflaxseeds• 1bananasliced• 1teaspoonofpistachios• 1driedfigsliced• 1passionfruit(pulponly)• Hempseedstogarnish

once you have layered the dry ingredients, top with your favourite milk (I love almond milk) until the jar is full, and leave it in the fridge overnight to set and soak.

In the morning the jar is ready to go! you can eat it straight up or tip it upside down into a bowl and top with a dollop of yogurt.

Surfer preneurK at hogg

fOunder Of hive swimwear

S u n s h i ne S u r f g i r l s Editi on 4 S p r i n g 2 015 31

IMAGES By PETER HOGG

you know that feeling when you’ve just caught the wave of your life only to realise that your swimmers aren’t exactly where they should be? Or when you go to duck dive and show more skin than you mean to? In 2005, after years of surfing, Kat Hogg was so frustrated at being unable to find fashionable swimwear that actually stayed on while surfing that she decided to make her own – and Hive Swimwear was born.

We caught up with the Sunshine Coast based surferpreneur to learn more about how and why she does what she does.

After moving to the Coast in the early 90s, Kat began working at a local surf school.

“I started to hear a repeated theme of women asking ‘what do you wear in the surf?’ and ‘have you found anything that stays on?’” she says. “I noticed that there was a niche of girls, like me, who wanted functional swimwear that also looked good. They wanted something that worked with that fashion element to it.”

Kat didn’t have a design background, but that didn’t stop her. She simply started by cutting up bras, swim and surfwear. Her goal was to blend fashion and function and eliminate those wardrobe malfunctions!

A lot of research and design goes into each style, with Kat herself, alongside local surfers, proving the best testers of all Hive Swimwear.

“I won’t make something until I’ve tested it myself and I know it is right. I recently came back from a trip to the Banyaks (an archipelago of islands in Northern Indonesia), which is my favourite surf trip location at the moment.

It’s not just on her own trips though that Kat has her swimwear tested. She also sponsors athletes (including WCT hopefuls Jaleesa Vincent and Keely Andrew, and SUPer Jenny Ryan) in a huge range of water sports, including surfing, surf life saving, competition swimming and diving, wake boarding, SUP, deep sea diving, triathlon and kite boarding – in addition to supporting Surfing Mums Australia.

“We support as many sports as we have prints in our collection!” she says.

“Supporting local women surfers is a way of giving back to the surfing community and the people who support me.”

Kat says it’s the most amazing feeling to see someone she doesn’t know wearing one of her designs, it still gives her a thrill, even after almost 10 years of production.

“I haven’t lost that excitement of seeing someone wearing something that I have made.”

For Kat, designing and producing swimwear is like teaching people to surf.

“I used to love being able to teach people who didn’t believe they could ever surf, and in a two-hour lesson you could get them standing up and riding the white wash into the beach. They would come out so elated and so excited that they have achieved this thing that they thought was so impossible. I get the same feeling out of the swimwear.”

Since starting out, Hive Swimwear has not only won Business of the year but also a handful of fashion industry awards. Kat’s enthusiasm shows that loving what you do is a crucial element to being a successful surferpreneur.

"Surf travel gives me an opportunity to test new garments and steer the direction of Hive but it also allows me to stay true to myself as a surfer. For me, there are important benefits of any good surf trip: exploration, adventure, challenge and mental stimulation."