A 'waterwoman' from yesteryear

I decided to keep it indoors this morning, the temps are low and testing the motivation of us fitness fiends. 

Yesterday morning was a bit of a disaster when I found myself loosing my balance on my SUP after something quite large brushed my fin and stopped me in my tracks.  The sun wasn't even up, it was 7 degrees and I was freezing to say the least. Just my luck, cold for the rest of the session!  Hence why sitting on a spin bike was the logical answer when I heard it was going to be even colder this morning.

I did take the opportunity though to head out for a surf later in the morning. It was a cracker without it being to cold.  I had my little spot all to myself until an elderly lady paddled out to join me.  She was just enjoying the sunshine and 'being' out there.

I caught a few more waves and then she paddled over to have a chat.  I was suprised when I heard an American accent, and she introduced herself as Nancy.  We got talking, mainly about the go pro on my board (not that I am an expert) as she was explaining she had just bought one at her home town (honolulu) but wasn't too sure how to use it. 

I was intrigued so I started asking more questions.  It was interesting to hear she was taking it easy as she had just had a knee reconstruction.

"Usually I would be ripping it up" she said

"I am confident around the waves, I was a pioneer of womens surfing in the 60's".  "I now run my own surfing schools around the world".

Wow I thought, that's amazing and I pictured myself in 30 years time probably doing the same thing, enjoying a surf, even though my body is telling me otherwise....

I would have loved to have chatted more but she had to rush off for a pedicure.  I had a feeling I had just met a legend, and the stories she had to tell could have kept us there for hours.

I later came home and googled Nancy, surf schools. It came straight up with her webpage.  Nancy Emerson was her name and she was a former world surfing champ. She is a business woman now and has surf schools worldwide.  The first was a surfing institution in Waikiki which began in the 1970's. Nancy now has a house here on the Gold Coast and frequents back to Hawaii.

I was dissapointed that I hadn't heard of her earlier but I was chuffed that I came across such a lovely lady out in the surf, where we are both in our favourite element. I am sure I will come across Nancy again and I look forward to next time hearing some stories...