LISTEN: Melissa Reid On Winning Medals & World Championships As A Partially Sighted Surfer & Triathlete On The Inspired Surfers Podcast, Presented By Jimmy’s

As you’ve almost certainly seen by now, a few weeks back we joined a collection of activists, adventurers and sustainable business leaders in the heart of Bristol for two days of talks, workshops and outdoor activities. As the dust settles on the inaugural Blue Earth Summit, we’ll be sharing some of the conversations that took place in an attempt to spread the event’s raft of inspiration and positivity far and wide. 

First up, it’s the latest episode of the Inspired Surfers podcast, presented by Jimmy’s, recorded live during day two at the Wave, Bristol. It features Paralympic medalist and partially sighted surfing world champion Melissa Reid and a wide-reaching discussion about her life and sporting career, including important takeaways about how we can aid, rather than hinder, the aspirations of people with disabilities. 

Listen below or find it wherever you get your podcasts:

Episode summary:

• An introduction to Melissa 

• How a trip to compete in Newquay saw her invited to the international ISA World Para Surfing Championships in California

• The final wave that saw her become Britain’s first born and bred surfing world champion 

• A bit of background on her visual impairment

• “You just have to figure out a way of doing something that everyone else does, but just slightly differently.” 

• Heightened senses; discovering the pitfalls of supersonic hearing in South Africa

• How her dad’s resolve inspired her journey

• The ins and outs of picking your para-triathlon tandem partner

• Digging deep mentally and the humorous ways spotters keep motivation up

• The nuances of adapting to tandem during triathlon transitions

• Dealing with a back injury relapse going into Tokyo 

• Melissa’s opinion on the para-triathlon factoring system, brought in following her victory in 2013

• Looking back on the Rio Olympics, including a dramatic sprint finish to bronze.

• The sportsmanship shown by the competitor she beat

• Keeping her visual impairment secret as a child. 

• The challenges of school 

• A better approach: “Ask questions, don’t make assumptions” 

• The importance of changing people’s mindsets, breaking down stereotypes 

• Aspirations for ice rally driving in Finland.

• The fire that comes from rising to challenges and proving people wrong. 

• Catching waves with 5% sight- how does it work?

• Surfing solid St Agnes 

• The levelling power of the lineup

• What’s next for Melissa Reid?

If you enjoyed this episode you can find more conversations on our Wavelength Community Radio channel.

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