SURFING AND PREGNANCY: WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARE EXPECTING

Sophie Everard talks through her experience as a surfer and a mother-to-be.

When Wavelength Women’s Editor Sophie Everard discovered she was pregnant on the first day of a surf trip to Indonesia this winter, it was the start of a journey exploring surfing through the new lens of pregnancy. How did this self-confessed adrenaline and surf addict adapt to her new adventure? With caution, and joy, as she explains here. Cover shot by @anaandthesea.

As I stared at the two lines denoting a positive pregnancy test on the 2nd day of my winter trip to Indo in December 2022, it was the beginning of a new wild kind of adventure. My initial plans for a surf-’tillya-spew trip suddenly began to morph in my brain. I was elated as I’d been wanting to have a baby, but my first thought was; what does this mean for my surfing? As I scooted down to the surf spot, conscious of carrying a new cargo, I eyeballed the incoming head-high sets, noting the power and feeling a little different than usual. I paddled out, knowing I was at the start of a whole new journey.

THE FIRST TRIMESTER: TAKIN’ IT EASY

6 months later and I have continued to surf, and it’s been a pretty awesome ride, which is constantly evolving. I’ve fallen pregnant at a time when there are so many awesome mama-role models, and I’ve long looked to women like Holly Beck, Lauren Hill, and Lisa Anderson as inspiring role models for when that time in my life would happen.

The first 12 weeks of pregnancy (the 1st trimester) are often cited as a more “delicate” time, and it’s definitely wise to take extra care. For sure on that trip, I was still stoked to paddle out, but I had a new risk analysis assessment whirring through my brain, knowing that this wasn’t just about me anymore. I ducked out of a heavily-populated few days over at Keramas with some challenging surf and a jostling lineup, instead relishing in empty, shoulder-high peaks on a different island with my little nugget basking in the magic of the experience.

RISK V REWARD

Now, everyone’s journey in pregnancy can differ dramatically and it is crucial to check in with your doctor to assess what’s advised in terms of movement, and to keep doing that. Equally, the entirety of pregnancy is delicate, and that risk vs reward balance weighs heavier. For me, being a low-risk pregnancy, and as someone who has always enjoyed a super active lifestyle and regular surf, I knew I’d be hungry to continue surfing as long as my steadily-swelling body would let me. What’s critical in any of the activities I’ve continued with, is being able to rationally assess my ability and control within the situation and environment, and if I have the skills to handle myself first and foremost, then deciding whether I continue.

The first few months went pretty smoothly, though my new risk awareness made me avoid any bigger surf, punchy shore dump, or equally as pertinent, I’d always be scanning the lineups and looking to avoid any groups where people were ditching boards or looking out of control. Often, that meant I wasn’t sitting on the main peak, and instead picked off inside nuggets. I was happy with that and just stoked to be at play in the ocean. It’s important to be honest with your abilities, to listen to your intuition, and avoid wild, out-of-control crowds!

THE BENEFITS OF WATER PLAY WHEN PREGNANT

As many of us know, the physical and mental benefits of surfing are abundant, and this doesn’t change because you’re pregnant.

Surfing stills remains an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise (though you have to be careful not to go ham on super high-intensity sessions, non-stop wave taking and burning up a sweat are best avoided).

It keeps your muscles strong and likewise your joints, ligaments, and tendons and your body supple and active. Of course, surfing releases feel-good endorphins that no doubt baby will enjoy feeling too.

If you’ve felt the heat when pregnant or the extra swelling of water retention, there ain’t nothing better than feeling weightless in the cool water

LISTENING TO MY BODY
Early morning sickness was confined to my Indo trip (just impacting dinner times, which meant all I wanted to stuff my face with was toast and pasta, no tasty, spicy Balinese fare would make it past my nauseous lips). What I have been rolling with is a much-increased fatigue, and knowing and learning that I really need to listen to my body when it’s sticking up the red flag to say, “Hey, I need a rest”. Those moments have been way more frequent than usual for me, and as someone who wasn’t a chill-on-the-beach kinda gal, I have developed a new appreciation for slower, cathartic beach walks, just sitting and being, and breathing in the energy of the ocean.

THE SECOND TRIMESTER AND THE INCHWORM
With the water where I live thankfully not as cold as some spots around Europe, I know I’ve been lucky to not battle with extra wetsuit requirements like hoods, gloves, boots, or thicker suits during winter this year. Paddling out on small days as winter has been making its gradual retreat has more than ever been such a balmy tonic, a sweet mental reset when I’ve needed it. I was surfing less than normal for sure, so the times I have paddled out have made me feel even more thankful and stoked, even if it’s just been cruising along ankle snappers.

By the time March rolled in, my bump had started to make itself more known, and my next surfs were characterised by the fun of trying to accommodate my growing baby, adopting what I called “the inchworm” when lying paddling for waves, butt sticking up higher to take pressure off my belly. Again, the size of the waves I’m going for are getting steadily smaller, and hey, I’m ok with that.

6 MONTHS LATER
I’ve passed the halfway point ‘til when I get to meet my baby and I know that soon, and probably, real soon, with the size I am now, and wanting to keep the ‘lil bundle safe and snug, I might be soon keeping it to body surfing, or just marinating in the water, enjoying the cooling water on my swollen ankles. As my physical ability and desire to put myself into those situations decreases, I’ve grown a new appreciation of my body. Now that it’s growing a life, and how exactly my relationship with the experiences I love characterise how I approach life. I feel like now I am already imparting some of that love to my budding baby, immersing the growing little sprog in-utero to the magic of the ocean and Mum’s love for the surf.