I grew up on the island of Upolu, Samoa, on a small mountain about ten minutes drive from Apia town. People I’ve met since leaving Samoa find it hard to believe that after growing up on an island I didn’t know how to swim. In my mind, the ocean beyond standing depth was a scary place with rips that would take me out to whirlpools, sharks and underwater life that spooked me.

When SurfAid asked Betty to be ambassadors for their upcoming #MakeAWave campaign this September, we were stoked to jump on board. Hell, any excuse to surf for thirty days in a row, not to mention raise money to help our fellow humans. But what was the cause exactly? 

Have you ever had one of those moments? A small, seemingly insignificant one that leads you down a completely new path in life, changes your ideas of the world, your goals, your needs, who you are, how you imagine your life to be? I had one of those moments when I decided to take up surfing as a hobby.

Get summer surfing fit with Cat! Barre and Pilates exercises are great to add into your land-based training routines. These workouts are low impact and a great way to isolate certain muscle groups to build strength and flexibility.

We need your help AGAIN to submit to Government . You can help stop sand mining in New Zealand. Read on for info on the submission process and updates from last year.

No-one knows when or how surfing originated, but we all know it comes deep from Polynesian, as well Micronesian & Melanesian, cultures. Women and men throughout the pacific surfed, and it was often thought to be part spiritual practice, part pleasure, or associated with social prestige. It was part of Mana. It showed athleticism, skill, bravery, and also deep & intimate knowledge of the ocean. This is where our love affair with the ocean originated- from Hawaii to Tonga, Samoa and Tahiti- these little islands adrift in Moana. In Hawaii it was called  heʻe ʻana (the art of surfing) or heʻe nalu (wave sliding). 

The term ‘Betty’ is a surfing-slang word for a woman who surfs. The word became popular in west-coast USA in the 80s to refer to these counter-culture badass surf and skater girls. It’s now spread to include other board sports such as snowboarding. Some claim the name ‘Betty’ originates from Betty Grable, a timeless 1930’s film star and original pin-up girl, or Bettie Page, another popular beauty, who’s iconic fringe style was often copied by skater and surf chicas.

If you haven’t heard already, the public has an opportunity to oppose the nearshore sand mining that goes on in the beautiful Kaipara district. We have until the 4th June 2020 to submit to Auckland Council. Mangawhai, Te Arai & Pakari are some stunning white sand beaches that are regularly visited by many Bettys for their sweet sweet (if sometimes fickle) waves. It’s one of my favourite places in the world, as well as being home to unique and special wildlife.