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Surfing While Pregnant: Marie’s Journey on the Waves

Surfing while pregnant can be an important phase of a surfer's life. Read Marie's incredible story on the waves here.

Pregnancy brings with it a tide of changes, but for some, like Marie, an avid surfer, it’s also a time to adapt and continue embracing the passions that define them. Surfing through pregnancy, Marie shares her experiences, challenges, and the joyous moments of riding the waves with a baby on board. Marie lives to surf. She’s surfed in countless locations and bases her life around the ocean. She is the hero behind Carry My Surf, surf bags for easier carrying, and soon she’ll be using her bag to carry something extra precious! Three months away from her due date, Marie is still surfing, and as she prepares for her greatest adventure, she’s taking her baby on a sensational journey, connecting him to the ocean more than ever!

Of course, surfing while pregnant requires adjustments, courage and information. Let’s see how Marie has ridden this new wave.

Embracing Change with a New Surfboard

“The first thing (and main thing) that changed is my surfboard!” Marie begins, her excitement palpable. For her birthday, she received a 9ft epoxy longboard, a gift that symbolizes her commitment to continue surfing throughout her pregnancy. “It’s a beautiful longboard… that paddles like a 10ft to put less effort, and the epoxy makes it light to be able to carry it around alone. I am super in love with this board and will definitely keep on surfing with it,” she explains.

Never Considering a Break

For Marie, the idea of pausing her surfing during pregnancy was never an option. “In absolutely no moment,” she laughs, “My only focus was ‘how am I going to be able to surf as much as I can through the pregnancy?‘” Her determination led her to seek out all available information, but she found resources lacking, especially for non-professional surfers in less ideal conditions. This gap in information propelled her to carve out her path and learn through experience.

Adjusting Surfing Practices for Safety

Safety became Marie’s paramount concern as she navigated the new waters of pregnancy surfing. “I am spending more time reading the forecast… I am observing the ocean a lot, much more than before, before going in the water, choosing a spot where I can enter and exit safely from the water, away from the crowds,” she details her new cautious approach.

Her early surfing days during pregnancy were marked by caution and slight fear: “The first few times surfing, it was very strange and a bit scary as you don’t know too much how strong a baby holds inside your belly, how much you can push your limits.” She adjusted her approach, especially during the first critical three months, and continued with heightened awareness and modified techniques to protect both herself and her baby.

Medical Insights and Personal Assurance

Marie didn’t have access to a sports doctor but relied on general medical advice and her intuition. “I was scared of the pressure of the belly lying down on the board, but then when I came to do the echography and the doctor started to press his scan machine on my belly like crazy and almost touching my spine, I felt much more relaxed about lying on my board,” she recalls.

The Physical and Emotional Waves

Pregnancy didn’t just alter Marie’s physical surfing conditions but also how she interacted with the sport emotionally and physically. “I take breaks in the water, a lot,” she admits, noting the importance of not overexerting herself. “One of my friend nurses told me that pregnant women can do exercise but they should be able to talk while doing it (meaning not being overexhausted). I follow this advice.”

Community and Personal Connections

Surfing while pregnant has also deepened Marie’s connection with the ocean and the surfing community. “Now that I am 6 months surfing, you can really see my belly on the board. Somehow I feel random surfers are even nicer with me. Cheering on each of my waves… SO everyone is super supportive,” she shares with a smile. Marie doesn’t recommend starting the sport from scratch while pregnant. She’s a seasoned surfer, and the ocean is her second home – this is a critical thing to keep in mind. Her friends were curious, while others were scared for her… but she’s doing great and feeling good!

Gear and Adaptations

Finding suitable gear was tricky, as most available advice assumed pregnant surfers would opt for bikinis. Marie adjusted her existing wetsuit to accommodate her growing belly, despite knowing it would likely be unusable post-pregnancy. Her board was a crucial adaptation, helping her navigate the waters more easily with less physical strain.

Looking Ahead

As her due date approaches, Marie reflects on her future in surfing: “I wish to go back as soon as possible. However, I know that once you give birth, you need to not make any sport to give time to your perigee to rebuild itself.” Her planning and foresight extend into how she will reintroduce herself to the sport she loves, step by step.

Advice for Other Surfing Moms-to-Be

Marie’s final thoughts offer encouragement and advice to other pregnant surfers: “Listen to yourself and your body… Follow your rhythm. Try to talk to people who have done it. Every woman is different.” Her journey underscores the possibility of maintaining an active lifestyle during pregnancy with careful planning, community support, and a deep understanding of one’s limits and needs.

Marie’s story is not just about surfing; it’s about the resilience and adaptability of expectant mothers who choose to continue engaging in their passions, showcasing a balance of caution and courage, wave by wave. We’re really excited for Marie and Ale, as their biggest adventure lies ahead of them. From one parent to another, this is the ride of your life! 

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Surfing while pregnant can be an important phase of a surfer's life. Read Marie's incredible story on the waves here.