COCOA BEACH

Ah, the east coast.. contrary to the general belief, I look forward to the events on the east coast, I like the vibes and always have a good time. It is a little frustrating because the week before is usually unsurfable, but as the contest goes on it starts to produce. I usually do really well here, I won my first ever pro event in 2010 at Cocoa Beach and I won my first pro junior there as well last year so I’ve got good memories. 

When I packed for Florida, there were sun dresses, shorts and flip flops in my suitcase. I was excited to wear my new Roxy Spring pieces, however the first few mornings we were graced with 48 degree weather and walked down the beach for the morning call in howling wind and winter jackets, to watch the gorgeous sun rise above the dormant ocean. It was definitely frustrating, but we were always hopeful it would pick up the next day. 

We made the most of a bad situation, everyone was having fun and joking around about the “ankle biting” waves we were surfing. There were still smiles all round and a lot of ripping in the contest despite the trying conditions. 

This year was a little disappointing for me though, i felt like i knew the break well and i was on my game, but when the waves are smaller than knee high its unpredictable, whoever gets that one set wave that comes in is going to make it. I came in 5th overall, but it was a great experience, I learnt a lot about small wave surfing and what becomes the most important. 

It may sound awful but every time I surf the east coast I appreciate where I’m from and what i have so much more. I am blessed to call Soup Bowl my home break and to grow up in warm crystal clear waters. 

PUERTO RICO

The second event for the Corona Pro PR was in Rincon in Puerto Rico. The first was at middles in November and i got a great result there so i was definitely psyched to go back. I could only go for the weekend but i loved every second of being in the Caribbean. I was stoked to pull out my bikinis, its been a while.. The people in Puerto Rico are always so friendly and just seem happy to meet new people and help them out. Ive always felt kind of at home in Puerto Rico because it has a positive, laid back island vibe like Barbados. i can always paddle out and feel comfortable, where i soon meet all the locals and just surf all day unhassled. 

The contest was at Domes which is a solid right point break. I drove down the first day and couldnt wait to get in the water it looked so fun. The first day of the contest was a little small but there were still plenty of waves to be had and i made it to the semi finals the next day. The Sunday was definitely bigger with solid chest to head high sets, i was towards the end of the day and it would be a man on man heat. The priority system has always made me a little nervous because when i do have priority i don’t want to give it up for a bad wave so its a little trickier and you have to be very careful and really commit if you paddle for a wave. Unfortunately i lost in the semis. I just had a bad rhythm and all the waves i thought would be great didn’t line up. 

Ah, well. overall the short trip was awesome, I got some great waves in a beautiful Caribbean island, I’ll definitely be back for the next one.

AUSTRALIA

My first event for the 2014 season was here and I was definitely excited, I hadn’t been in the Jersey for a couple months and I was dying to get back in contest mode. The day of check-in was a nightmare though, I was told that I, along with the majority of foreign surfers had applied for the wrong visa and if we competed on this visa we were at risk of being barred from Australia for five years. The only way to solve this problem was to fly to New Zealand and apply for the correct business visa- you needed to be out of the country to apply. Simple for the Americans, they could apply online, fly to New Zealand stay in a hotel for a couple hours while their visa was being processed and fly back to Australia. Little bit more complicated for a Barbadian passport holder, I wasn’t permitted to apply online, the Australian consulate needed a hard copy of my application. I also needed a visa for New Zealand, and since that wasn’t being expedited for the contest it would take a month, so I found myself on a plane to..Singapore. 

Singapore was a cool place, there were ships on top of buildings and beautifully kept gardens everywhere and luckily everyone was pleasant and spoke english. I might even want to back one day-on less stressful terms. It all went well at the consulate and I was back in time for my heat which went great as well. It was nice to get back that adrenaline rush of competing. I ended my run in the Round of 48, a bit disappointed but I was off to Newcastle for the next event. 

Newcastle can be a cool place when the waves are good but usually all there is to do is surf. We had some flat days but we also got some great surf so besides the depressing weather we had a good time. I ended 5th in the junior and won my first heat in the WQS. I got a little nervous in my second heat, one problem of mine is coming from behind in heats and I was the last one to get a good wave, I did get a 7 though and I only needed a five. I had a good feeling that it was going to come so I stayed calm and waited. 2 minutes to go and a perfect set wave came, I had to paddle battle the girl in the heat but I made it, went up for the first turn and the nerves got me. I was so bummed, I loved the wave at Newcastle and I was ready to get a good result. Ah well, next time. 

Overall I learned a lot on that trip. I learnt what I was missing and where I needed to be and I definitely know which visa to travel on now. 

SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

In the beginning of February the National Sports Council held their 31st annual national sports council awards. I was named Junior Female Athlete of the Year and National Sports Personality of the year. A lot of emotions were running through me that night, a surfer and a female? I was in disbelief but so beyond honored to receive the awards. It was an awesome way to start off the year.