Sam Bloom is a four-time Parasurfing World Champion, but it was with the help of a magpie
named Penguin that she found her way there.
Growing up by the beach, Sam had always had a strong connection with the ocean, but after
an accident left her paralysed and in a dark place, it was Sam's companion Penguin that
helped reignite that love for the water, so much so that she won two Australian Parakanoeing
titles and represented Australia at the Parakanoeing World Championships.
But she eventually found her way back to the ocean, winning gold at the Parasurfing World
Championships, not once, but four times, including most recently this year.
My name's Sophie and I'm the producer here at the Female Athlete Project.
Chloe caught up with Sam this week, just months after becoming the reigning World Parasurfing
This chat shows that sometimes...
Sometimes you have to dig really deep to find your inner strength, but sometimes a
feathered friend can help along the way.
We hope you enjoy it.
Sam, welcome to the Female Athlete Project.
Thank you for having me.
Thank you so much for having us in your beautiful home.
It's very special to be here today to have a chat.
Can you take us back and describe yourself as a little kid?
Well, I've always been a tomboy.
Even as like a little attacker.
You know, I remember...
The one, when you're getting a surfboard for Christmas, because we used to have a swimming
And yeah, that was like the best present ever.
So I'd always get a surfboard or a skateboard or a tractor.
Were you on a farm growing up?
Where was the tractor?
No, we had a really big backyard.
So I just remember having this little tractor and like riding around on a tractor.
Yeah, surfboarding and skateboarding.
Surfing and skateboarding were my favorite things.
Was there something about...
The ocean that you fell in love with?
Yes, because we grew up, essentially grew up at Coogee Beach.
And even as like babies, my mom would take us down and we'd have our sleeps on the beach.
So we've always been like, yeah, the ocean's always played a massive part.
It's quite an amazing thing.
Like I think growing up on the northern beaches, there's something about the ocean.
I found like it's the vastness of it that kind of centers you a bit.
It brings you back down to earth a little bit.
You feel quite small in comparison.
The size of the ocean.
Yeah, definitely.
Yeah, we, because we didn't, I didn't actually grow up, well, I did grow up on the northern
beaches, but we moved up here when I was about eight.
And so we grew up at Bogola Beach.
And so it was a two minute walk, if that, from the beach.
So yeah, like you said, yeah, I mean, the ocean and surfing and just hanging out at
the beach was, that's just, that's just what we did.
You know, before school, after school, on the weekends, obviously.
Yeah, it was a pretty awesome childhood.
Yeah, it's very special.
You were recently crowned the 2024 Parasurfing World Champion.
And you've had a number of accolades in surfing.
What has the year been like for you?
This year's been cool.
So we've had, it's a tour.
They call it a tour, a parasurfing tour.
And there's four competitions.
So I went in three and I was pretty lucky.
I won three of the three.
Not a bad, not a bad track record.
So the first one was in Byron Bay.
Which was amazing.
And then the second one was Hawaii.
And the third one was Costa Rica, which was insane.
They're the most, it's at this place called Boca Branca.
And I'd never been there before.
And it was just the most amazing left hand.
And it went like, the left went for over a minute.
And for me, it was the perfect way because it was just peeled and it wasn't powerful,
wasn't scary and dumpy.
So I love that comp.
And can you, for people who might not have seen parasurfing, can you break down how does
adaptive surfing work?
So there's nine divisions and I'm in, it's called prone, which is lying down.
And yeah, I just, I used to get assistance in the water when I first started and now
they changed that.
So I'm just on my own and yeah, I have to paddle into the waves.
And so it can be pretty challenging for me because all I've got is literally my arms.
So if the surf's big and dumpy, I do find it pretty terrifying and I can't say I love it.
That one minute slower wave was.
And the best thing actually in the comp, they'd come because it was such a long ride.
They'd come pick you up on a jet ski and just get you out the back again.
So yeah, it's like, that was my ideal.
And I've seen videos.
Do you almost have like grips at the top of your surfboard?
Is that how, do you hold onto those?
So my, my board is like a short board.
And then I've got, everyone just stares at it, but I've got fins on the top and they
So your legs almost go between the fins.
Because otherwise if a wave comes,
and washes my leg, I'll just topple off.
So I have fins on the top and yeah, and a handle at the front.
So I just kind of grab the handle and then grab the rail and, and dig my arm in like
to turn the board.
I mean, everybody's board's different because you know, as you can imagine, there's a lot
of different disabilities.
So, you know, there's visually impaired people, people missing limbs, quads, and they obviously
need more assistance in the water because they don't have great arm function.
It's pretty incredible.
Who came up with the fins on top of the surfboard idea?
Well, when I first went in the comp in 2018, we actually, we got a pool noodle and we cut
it in half and glued it onto the top of my board and actually didn't really work very
And then we saw someone else, actually from someone from Australia, Barney Miller, and
he lives up, up the coast and he had them on his board.
So he got the idea of Barney.
And now it's funny.
Now everyone has them.
So they've all followed suit.
That's really cool.
Because it works.
I mean, obviously you don't use the hard fins.
They're soft fins, like from a foamy.
So they don't cut you if you fall off.
That makes more sense.
I was like, that could, yeah, that could be sore.
Yeah, that could cause a lot of damage.
And especially if you can't feel it.
You know, imagine that you'd get out of the water and you just like have slashes everywhere.
Yeah, well, just fin cuts everywhere.
And so prior to para surfing, you were doing, you were in the canoe.
How did you find the canoe?
I mean, I got into that because when I was in rehab, there was this, he was a sports
recreation officer.
And he used to know, I love sport before my accident.
And he'd be trying so hard to find me something to do.
And to be honest, I didn't want to do something in the wheelchair.
And so I said to him, maybe I could kayak.
And so, yeah, it was so cool.
A couple of weeks after I got out of rehab, went down to Narrabeen Lakes, which was nice
and close to here.
And yeah, and just started kayaking.
It was just nice.
I love the freedom.
And I love being not in the wheelchair and just on the water again.
And it wasn't long that you'd been doing it for that you were representing your country.
Maybe a year and a half.
That's impressive.
It's pretty crazy.
It was pretty crazy.
And how did you find getting into that, like going from rehab to get into that elite mindset
of competing at the highest level?
Oh, well, it took a long time.
I mean, to be honest, when I first got out of rehab,
I'd only paddled just one day a week, but I just loved it.
And then I had the most amazing coach.
Her name's Gaye Hadford and she's like absolute legend.
And she was just a volunteer.
But you know when you meet someone and you just hit it off with them and you just know
they've always got your back and they're not judgmental.
Yeah, I was so lucky.
She's just, she's just awesome.
So I guess she pushed me, you know, we'd paddle once, once a week and then we'd bump it up
to maybe twice a week.
And, and as a bit of a joke, we just went in a couple of races and yeah.
And then yeah, I went in another race out at Penrith and that was when the head coach
from the para canoeing sort of spotted me.
It was hilarious because Gaye and I had no idea like that we were going to get chosen
And yeah, when she came down, she's like, kind of like, I can't remember exactly what
she said, but she's like, you know, what are you guys doing next week?
And we're like, I don't know, nothing.
And she's like, okay, you got to come to Queensland for training and then you're going to Italy
and Gaye and I were just like, what?
It was pretty exciting.
That's very, very cool.
So to represent your country now in two of those sports, is that something that you thought
you would be doing?
Never in a million years.
And it's so, it makes you really proud and you become really patriotic.
Like, you know, when you hear the national anthem and I dunno, it's just, it's just,
it's the best feeling in the world.
It's very special, isn't it?
It's super special.
That's really, really cool.
So I'm very fortunate.
And off air, we chatted about.
So Paris, England.
Paris serving hasn't been included in LA 2028, so there was a big push for it to be
included and they've cited reasons like cost and complexity.
For it not to be included.
We know there's people campaigning to try and get it included.
And they're still, they're still trying.
And are we thinking that we're going to see you there?
I'm trying to get you to say it on the record so we can come watch you in Brisbane.
Yeah, sure, sure.
I can't imagine I'll be there.
Because I will be 16.
But you're still going now.
That's super old.
You're killing it now.
You're the world champ.
That'd be pretty crazy.
It'd be pretty awesome.
You'd never know.
It'd be incredible.
For a home Paralympics.
You're like, stop asking me questions.
No pressure, right?
It'd be pretty cool.
I first heard your story through Penguin Bloom.
Can you take us back to where that part of your journey started and where Penguin Bloom
So I've always loved traveling.
And Cam, my husband, and I have three boys and we wanted to take them traveling and kind
of show them the world.
And it's really frustrating because our initial plan was actually to take them to Ethiopia.
Because Cam and I love Ethiopia and we loved Egypt.
And you know, we're all set and kind of looking forward to it.
And then there was like this big political uprising in Cairo, so we thought, oh no, no,
it's too dangerous.
So that's why we chose Thailand.
Because we thought, yeah, it's close, lovely people, great food, and yeah, pretty cool
So we went to Thailand 2013 and we were there for four days and we're staying at this really
And it was quite remote and it was just opposite a beach.
And one of the kids spotted like a stairway up to like this kind of observation deck.
And so we just went up there to have our juice.
And I went on a railing and it had dry rot, but I didn't realize.
So I fell six meters and yeah, broke my back and hit my head and sustained, yeah, quite
So that was the start of my journey.
And did you go into hospital over in Thailand?
How long were you in the hospital in Thailand?
I was in hospital for about 10 days in like this, I guess it was a big teaching, oh no,
actually I think it was a private hospital.
It was in a town called Wahin.
And so they waited until I was stable enough because I'd lost a lot of blood.
And so I think they thought I was actually going to die.
But I didn't realize.
And yeah, so three days after the accident, they operated on me and put rods and screws
So I was there for 10 days and then they transported me up to Bangkok and I was there for, I think
maybe 10 days or so.
And they just wanted me to be stable so they could fly me back to Australia.
So I think, yeah, Ula, maybe roughly three weeks.
Or no, not three weeks.
Actually, maybe it was all up three weeks.
It was longer than I thought.
Do you have memories of that period of time being in the hospitals?
It was, they're pretty scattered.
And you know, the funniest thing is I actually didn't know I was paralyzed.
Which makes no sense.
Because were you just lying in hospital bed?
I was just lying in the hospital bed and because I'd hit my head and I had like bleeds on my
head, that's what I was focusing on.
I just remember the headaches were just like crazy.
And then the nurses would just come in and inject some sort of painkiller.
I don't even know what.
And I'd be a bit out of it.
I don't remember.
I don't ever remember eating or drinking or anything.
Scattered memories.
I remember my friend coming over though.
She flew in from Australia.
And I remember seeing her and I remember bursting into tears when I saw her.
And I saw the boys a bit, but I don't really remember it.
And do you remember the moment that you, like, do you remember finding out about being paralyzed?
That wasn't until I got back to Sydney though.
They flew me back and I went to North Shore and then I did the MRI and that's when the
And what kind of headspace were you in then?
I was like, my whole life is over.
I used to always say like the real Sam died.
Like just this thing came back.
It was just like you just lose like your identity and everything that you love doing
was just taken away.
So, yeah, no, man, I was not in a good headspace at all.
And how long did you then go into rehab for?
Well, I was in North Shore for a few months because when I was in Thailand, they left
me on a spinal board, which was not a good thing to do.
The whole time you were in hospital?
No, just for three days.
But that was enough.
pressure injury on my sacrum. And yeah, I never saw it because it was disgusting. I think it was
like five centimeters by six centimeters and a couple of centimeters deep. So that's why I was
in North Shore for so long, just going from side to side. And I'd always go down to theater and
they'd try and fix it and it didn't work. And yeah, that was a bit of a disaster. So I was
there for three months and then rehab for three months. And what was rehab like having to learn
how to do daily tasks? Pretty horrible. Yeah. Just the basic things like just transferring
from the wheelchair into the bed and, you know, getting dressed. It just took so long.
Yeah. No, it's not. Nothing was easy. Yeah. There, that's for sure. And yeah,
when I came home, it was, yeah, it was just as hard.
And where did, where did Penguin first come into the mix?
Penguin came into it, um,
Yeah. So yeah, it's funny because I remember Cam, he went before I was coming home. He was
so excited. He's like, you know, I can't wait to have you home and you're going to be so excited
and you must look forward to it. And I actually wasn't. And that was the hardest for me. That was
the hardest time was coming home. And then, you know, you get here and it's kind of like,
well, we can see the beach from our house. I used to look at like North Book Olive where I grew up
and I just stare at my favorite surf spot and it would just make me,
so angry and sad. And I just, yeah, I don't know. That was by far the hardest. So yeah,
I was in a pretty dark place. So it was kind of lucky because then, um, yeah, three months after
I got home, we went to my mom's and she lives at Bogola beach and we found a baby magpie and she
was so cute. And we thought if we didn't pick her up and like bring her home, she would have died
because she was so tiny. And yeah, so that's where Penguin's story began.
And was Penguin injured? What was, what was Penguin doing?
Yeah, she was injured. Her wing, I don't think it was a hundred percent broken. It was just a little
bit, bit wonky, you know, and she couldn't fly cause she was only a few weeks old. And so she
needed a lot of care and a lot of looking after. So yeah, it was fantastic because I loved it
because I hate being center of attention. And so when we brought Penguin into our lives, all our
attention went on to Penguin, which was great. And it just made the boys happy. I mean, she was
She was so cute. And it was like having a little puppy.
That's awesome. I don't know a lot of people that would describe a magpie as a little puppy,
but it's quite a special bond that you guys had with Penguin.
Definitely. I mean, she was with me all the time.
Yeah. Cause I mean, I was kind of, I used to say I was on house arrest
because I couldn't drive at the time. I'm like literally stuck here. And so it was just lovely
just having the company and just something to look after and, and something to talk to.
Just to tell her all the things that were going on in my head.
Yeah. Cause there was a lot of negative, I guess, a lot of negative thoughts.
So it was just lovely just to be able to talk to her and yeah, just hanging out with her.
She was like a dog as she got older, like, and then she, obviously she learned to fly and stuff and,
but you could just call her and she'd just come running and she'd go up, up, up and she'd just jump
up onto my lap, like my lap. And yeah, she was like a puppy.
She was a super cool puppy.
And so would she just like hang out in the house? Like this, this became her home.
Yeah, definitely.
For, so for about six months she slept inside and you know, it's pretty gross to be honest.
Like, you know, she kind of would poo everywhere.
It was a bit yuck.
We used to have this rule, whoever saw her poo had to pick it up.
But yeah, as you can imagine, the boys hardly ever saw it.
I was going to say, how'd that go with the boys?
I think Cam wiped most of it up.
So yeah, it was pretty gross, but you just got used to it.
That's really special.
After about six months, we started putting her to bed outside.
Just because, yeah, she just kind of destroyed everything.
How did, how did she go when she moved outside?
Oh, she didn't like it.
No, she didn't always want to come back in, which I don't blame her, but.
It's pretty nice in here.
I guess it's safe.
And then did it get to the point where Penguin was ready to fly and be part of the outside
I mean, she was like, honestly, like she was never locked up.
Like she was always free to do whatever she want.
But yeah, she got older.
She'd start flying.
She'd start flying away and then, but then she'd come back and then, then the time it
was just getting longer and longer.
Like she'd go away for a week and then she'd come back and yeah.
One of the coolest times though was, it was right before Ruben's 13th birthday and she'd
been gone for about six weeks and we thought, oh no, something's happened to her.
And I remember saying to Rubes on his birthday, like, you know, imagine if Penguin came back
And he's like, you know, we're kind of laughing going, yeah, yeah, yeah, as if, and it was
And so we went to my mom's for his, for lunch to celebrate his birthday.
And this lady called and she called Cam, she's like, oh, I think I've got Penguin.
And, and Cam goes, has she got red, painted like fingernail, like toenails?
And she's like, yeah, cause we painted them as a joke.
And so Penguin somehow ended up in this lady's house.
So Cam went and picked her up and, and then he bought her back here and then, yeah.
So she came back for his birthday.
Cause I was going to ask how you, I mean, you obviously knew her so well that you could
recognize her regardless, but did the red, did the red nails help?
And actually she had grown up a bit, even if this in the six weeks, um, the one way
we could tell it was her, her song, like she'd make this specific call and we knew that was
But yeah, no, that was, that was so cool.
But then about what she is, when was that?
That was in February.
So August, I think of that year, that's when she flew away and she didn't come back.
But it was a good timing.
I was actually in Italy for the kayaking.
And Cam and the kids came over and they left about three weeks after me and she flew away
So yeah, it's cool.
Did you grieve that when she didn't come back?
Oh, we missed her, but you know, we were happy that she'd kind of, you know, said she'd flown
away and she was just like, just a normal bird.
Just out living her life.
And your husband Cam's an amazing photographer.
What was it like having him document that part of your journey?
I used to say at the beginning, I used to say to him, okay, you can take photo of Penguin
and I, but only if she's on my shoulder.
I said, I don't want the wheelchair in it.
I was embarrassed.
I hated being, well, I still hate being in this thing, but yeah, I was so embarrassed.
And I hated seeing photos of me in it.
So I was like, yep, you can take a photo, but don't shoot the wheelchair.
So I used to say that for, yeah, quite a long time.
If he's shooting now?
I'll let him shoot the wheelchair now.
But pretty special to have those memories documented.
I'm so like, so grateful because I mean, Cam's always taking photos and it's great.
It's annoying sometimes.
But it's really nice to see kind of where we've come from.
Like where, no, how far we've come, you know, because he even shot when I was in Thailand.
So it's just, yeah, it's just cool to sort of see just how far we've come and how things
have gotten better.
What was the process like for you writing the book and putting all of that together?
It was kind of strange.
That was never our, like, that wasn't our idea.
It was kind of all happened kind of organic, to be honest, because like you just said,
Cam was a photographer, always taking photos.
And so we started an Instagram account just as a joke and we called it Penguin the Magpie.
And then this ABC journalist somehow saw it and he wrote a story on it.
And that's when it all started going a little bit crazy.
And so publishers would be ringing Cam going, oh, we want to do a book.
And we were like, why on earth would anyone want to buy a book of our family?
We wanted to buy a book of our family photos, essentially.
And then Cam reached out to Bradley, Bradley Trevor-Grieve, who is an author and he's an
Aussie author, but lives in LA, just to sort of get some, I guess, just some help.
Like, you know, like, should we do a book or don't we?
And Bradley, yeah, a day later he came back and he said, I'll write a book for you.
And that's how it kind of happened.
Which was really cool because Bradley and I would just Skype pretty much every day.
And it was just nice just to tell him everything, you know, and just, yeah, and be completely
And then when it was getting picked up to become a movie, which is an incredibly beautiful
thing to watch, how did it feel, like if you talk about going from saying that you didn't
want any photos taken in your wheelchair-
For it being available for the world to see-
How did that feel?
It was, it was pretty good.
It's, it's crazy, huh?
Saying don't shoot the wheelchair.
Because I'm embarrassed.
And then like you just said, like everyone all around the world has seen it.
No, it was, it was actually quite fun.
I remember because how that happened is one of the producers was, is best friends with
And her name's Emma.
And she gave Naomi the book.
And Naomi read it to her kids and it just resonated with her.
So she's like, I want to produce this.
I want to make it a film and be Sam.
We were like, what?
And how did the boys go throughout that experience?
Because it's obviously a lot for them or for you to process as their mum, but for them
to process as kids as well.
It was, it was really challenging, especially the first year.
Because, you know, before the accident, I was always happy and full of energy.
Like, you know, I would always go mountain biking and surfing and be riding skateboards
And yeah, I don't know.
I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was,
I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was.
And when I came home, life wasn't unreal.
So it was just sad.
And it kind of brings everyone down.
Which is not, not a nice thing, but I mean I just couldn't help it.
So it was, yeah, it was really hard and it was hard for Noah, actually, because he used
Well, he still surfs.
You know, and he felt a lot of guilt because he'd grab his board and just look at me and
go, oh, I'm so sorry.
And that made me feel worse.
Like, dude, just go get a really sick wave and that will make me happy.
Yeah, it was really hard because I think they didn't want to say the wrong thing,
but I just wanted them to live their life like we would have.
And how has sport and exercise, like you've achieved incredible things
like we touched on earlier, how have you used that to, I guess,
work on not only your physical health but your mental health as well?
It's been pivotal, 100%.
Yeah, like that's the one thing that's got me through it.
Like even if you're having like a really shitty day, go to the gym
or go for a kayak and you just feel a million times better.
It's a powerful thing, isn't it?
It's so powerful.
Yeah, it's just, I mean, for me it's been like, yeah,
it's just been like so important.
Even actually early on it was pretty funny because I wasn't driving
and I was probably home maybe not even a month and Cam organised me
I used to see this personal trainer in Avalon, Craig, and he's such a legend.
And, you know, and I used to be like a baby.
I'd be like going to Cam, I don't want to go.
I don't want to go.
Like, you know, I was just like, no.
And he'd kind of make me go.
He'd get me in the car and then I'd wait till all the other mums kind
of left training and then, you know, there was no one around
and then Cam would take me in.
And, you know, Cam knew.
Like, you know, once I'd done a session with Craig, I'd come out
and just, yeah, feel happy again.
So, you know, sport, oh, my gosh.
Like, it's just been the best thing ever for me.
And you said that, like, Brisbane might not be on the cards,
but what is it for you that keeps you going in sport?
Is it wanting to achieve?
Is it wanting to be the world champion or is it moving
and what comes with sport?
Yeah, I think, I mean, sure, I like winning.
Everyone loves to win, right?
We all love winning, yeah.
But, no, I think for me it's just it's actually the community.
Like the Paracel.
The surfing community is just amazing.
And you get to meet people from all around the world and, you know,
man, everyone's overcome, like, the most insurmountable challenges
to get back out in the ocean.
You know, there's people missing both of their legs and an arm.
And, yeah, it's pretty crazy what some people have been through.
But they've found the ocean, they've found surfing and that community
and it's just, yeah, brought them happiness.
So that's why I love it.
Do you have a favourite failure?
She was quick on that one.
Yeah, I do, I do.
It was kind of a failure but it worked in my favour, which is kind of weird.
Okay, so, like I said, when I got into the surfing,
I had assistance in the water.
So for five years I'd have Cam pushing me onto the waves and in a comp,
usually a coach or someone getting me back out.
And so, you know, that was pretty cool.
It was nice to have that, like, security.
And then two years ago I was in Hawaii and it was two days before the comp
and they're like, ah.
You're looking pretty strong.
And I was just like, nothing's changed.
And so they reclassified me.
And so they're like, you're too strong and you're getting no assistance.
And so I was just like, oh, my God.
Because I was just thinking, because I was actually being honest,
I'm like, I can't paddle.
Like, I can't paddle very well because of all the rods and hardware.
I can't, you know, I can't arch my back up.
So I'm kind of flat.
I literally have my chin on my board going like that.
And I was saying to the girl, like, and then I was like, if I lift my head up,
I get head spins.
And she's like, I don't know.
She's like, she's pretty blunt.
She goes, well, maybe find another sport.
I was just like, oh, okay.
So I was like, oh, how embarrassing.
You know, I had to ring my sponsor.
Now imagine ringing your sponsor and going, oh, sorry.
You know, I can't do this anymore because, yeah, I can't do it.
You're too strong almost.
It's a weird thing for them to change your classification saying you're
looking too strong.
I'm actually glad.
So I was just thinking how embarrassing I can't,
if I can't even catch a wave in this comp.
And then after a couple of days, I just changed my mindset.
And I thought, well, I've got nothing to lose.
And it was at Waikiki.
So I don't know if you've ever been there.
It's at Queens and it's an easy break.
So you get, you go out to the, to the break and it's all still water around it.
So it's not like a beach break where he's getting pummeled.
So I figured, yeah, go out there.
Like go out and just try my best and have fun.
And it was funny.
I was up against the world champion at that time.
And she's American girl, Sarah.
She's super cool.
And I remember asking another mom, an American mom.
I'm like, you know, I'm like, Sarah's pretty good.
And she goes, oh, she's going to mop the floor with you.
I was just like, oh dear.
Thanks for the confidence.
I was like, okay.
And so I just went out and I just figured just go out and have fun.
And just do your best.
And I was, I was lucky.
I was in the right spot at the right time and caught a couple of waves and beat her.
So I was like, hell yeah.
You mopped the floor with her.
So yeah, that was my, yeah.
Failure, but it worked in my favor.
It's because I think I love that question because it's reframing how we look at those
things, you know?
I was just like, I was so nervous and I was just like, how embarrassing.
You know, everyone's going to be watching and if I don't get away, blah, blah, blah,
But yeah, just change your mindset and just, yeah, go out there, have fun and obviously
Who has had the biggest impact on you as a person?
Well, the biggest impact probably is Cam, my husband Cam, because he's honestly, from
the moment I fell, he's been the most incredible support and he's the one who's pushed me.
He's pushed me to go to the gym.
Not that he had to push me too much to go kayaking because I did love it.
But also just with the surfing, you know, he's been like, yeah, my biggest support person.
So Cam, and I, and he's a great role model for our three boys because he's very kind
and yeah, very compassionate and can be really annoying, but he gives everyone can be annoying.
He'd be like, when are you training?
When are you, what are you doing?
I'm like, for God's sake, Cam, back off for a sec, dude.
Let me just have a rest.
But no, he's, yeah, for sure.
He's been the most amazing person.
That's really, really cool.
And how has your relationship changed?
We got to meet a couple of your sons coming in and out of the house.
How has it changed with them now that they're young adults?
Yeah, no, it's great.
I mean, it's so good watching them grow up.
So our youngest now, he's a personal trainer, which is really cool.
So I train with Ollie.
That's really cool.
Noah, he's at the Music Conservatorium doing music.
Yeah, and Rubes has his own little business, making home wells and whatnot.
But no, it's good.
It's fun watching them grow up.
Yeah, it's amazing.
You know, it's funny.
You know how I said before, our initial plan was to take them to Ethiopia?
We did that this Christmas.
We're like 11 years late, but we made it.
Man, it was the best trip ever.
Oh, tell me more about it.
Yeah, so we actually went to Zimbabwe for a couple of weeks.
I have a thing for Africa.
I've always loved Africa.
And, yeah, I went to Zimbabwe for a couple of weeks and stayed on a conservancy.
So I was just surrounded by animals, which was amazing.
And then we went to Ethiopia for a month.
And the best thing is the boys fell in love with it as much as us.
Because I never, after my accident, I never thought I'd get back to Africa.
And we took the kids.
That's really special.
So that was the best.
That's awesome to be able to do that as a family.
That's been a highlight ever since the accident, that trip.
It's probably one of my favorite trips ever.
What is it about Africa that you first fell in love with?
I had this thing.
Even when I was, like, little, in first grade, I was like, I want to be a nurse and I want
I don't even know where that came from.
So, yeah, ended up being a nurse and ended up going to Africa.
So, yeah, I think it's the people.
Have you been there?
It's just something, like, man, you go and you just fall in love with it.
It's, like, magical.
I need to add that to the list.
Do you have plans to go back?
We're trying to organize another trip for next Christmas.
But we don't know where yet.
We're thinking maybe Saudi Arabia.
I really love Jordan.
And what's next for you?
Obviously, reigning world champ now, but what's next for you in your surfing calendar?
There is a world, the ISA World Championships in November, but unfortunately, I can't make
So, next year, I'll just do the tour again.
So, there's only three comps next year.
So, it's Byron Bay, Hawaii, and, oh, actually, California.
So, I'll do that.
Yeah, that's awesome.
Thank you so much for your time today.
It's been really special to sit and chat with you and hear your story.
And thanks so much for having us in your beautiful home.
Thanks for coming.
Thanks for having me.
No problem at all.
It's a real pleasure.
Thanks so much for listening.
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