Belinda Baggs: surfer, activist, mother

Belinda Baggs grew up with sand between her toes. Following in the footsteps of her father, a passionate surfer, the she progressed beyond the shore break to behind the breakers, and through her teens the surfing lifestyle became embedded deeply in her being. With titles from the women’s longboarding circuit under her belt, Bindy is a dedicated mother and activist, working today with Patagonia, @surfersforclimate and @take3forthesea among other action groups. From her home on Australia’s Surf Coast, Bindy shared how the the ocean provides solace, empowering her to tread lightly yet fight for the planet, and her child’s future.

Did you always have an adventurous nature, drawing you to the outdoors and an alternative life for yourself?

My adventures were always in or around the coast hunting for the best waves. Even as a beginner, the conditions can make a huge impact on your session and surfing new places is part of the lure; I guess the grass is always greener around the next bend so to speak. Part of being a surfer is exploration, whether it be in your own region, nationally or overseas. I took exploration to an extreme, travelling every nook and cove in my state as well as chasing dreams of surfing Nirvana internationally – in hopes of discovering the world’s best longboard wave. Although I stumbled upon many perfect point breaks, it’s safe to say that I gained more from experiencing different cultures and rich landscapes, than I ever did from the actually wave riding. Riding waves is an exercise that connects us with the Earth’s energy and nature. Moving to Victoria as an adult, I found this connection was enhanced by the wild conditions. Surfing became a best friend, a place to go when I was sad or angry and is where I can always feel a sense of belonging and home.

What have been some of your career highlights? And have you had any memorable surf experiences in NZ?

I used to compete on a longboard, having placed 3rd in the women’s world championships as well as 1st in Australia’s professional circuit in the 2000s. I quickly learnt though, that my passion and connection for surfing went far beyond any competition and, in fact, that the criteria required for a successful competition surfer went against my nature. I feel that surfing is an expression, not something to be placed in a box. I have travelled to New Zealand three times – all trips to the North Island camping and chasing surf. I loved every moment I spent in Taranaki, a beautiful landscape with a variety of wave options, and dominated by a snow-capped mountain. For the first time in my life, I recall that looking toward shore was far more breathtaking than looking out to sea! The rolling hills and endless coves made for some audacious experiences, too – crossing cow paddocks, slipping in paddies, and entering the surf covered in cow dung! The lefts were good, so it was well worth the temporary unpleasant smell. I’m excited to get over there and back in the water soon as possible, hopefully catching a few waves with the talented longboarder Willow McBride. I’m also inspired by Jay Emerre Ryan and shortboarders Brie Bennet and Ava Henderson.

Earlier this year you took a trip to The Solomon Islands (which you wrote about for Patagonia New Zealand’s Roaring Journals blog). What was the aim of this trip and what did you take away from it?

This trip was to assist SurfAid – a humanitarian organisation aimed at giving back to areas to which surfers travel – with their latest health program, which focuses on reducing cervical cancer among women in The Solomon Islands. Travelling to the far reaches of Santa Isabel Island, I began to notice all the ‘sunken islands’ caused by rising sea levels and erosion caused by climate change. I also witnessed that the locals lived a minimalistic lifestyle, rich in love and happiness, but also one with an extremely small carbon footprint. The people who were putting the least pressure on our climate are the ones suffering the highest consequences. I realised that all our actions no matter how far away affect people and places in ways we couldn’t comprehend from our city society. The impacts of climate change are being experienced now and the urgency to act, both as an individual and as a nation, is greater than ever.

“Why not do all we can to make this world a better place and leave a legacy that we’re proud of?”

You’ve have been very active in the Fight for The Bight, co-produced the film South Fish about seismic testing off the NSW Coast, and fought oil and gas exploration in other areas of Australia. Why are you so passionate about going head-to-head with big oil and industry?

I’m dedicated to these causes because I want my child to have a safe and healthy future. From the threat of what an oil spill could do to our coast to the increasing warming of our planet, fossil fuels are to blame. We’re rapidly approaching a tipping point, one from which it will be nearly impossible to return. The solutions to these problems already exist, it’s just a matter of shifting our money to invest in them. We need to stop releasing emissions into the atmosphere; the burning of coal, oil and gas are methods that needs to be left in the past. We have better renewable technology now. Disturbingly, most of the licences that operational mines and fields allow them to keep extracting decades into the future, seeing us past this ‘tipping point’ phase where we have an opportunity to transition. Governments and big business aren’t changing their polices quick enough. They are valuing money over life on this planet, the lives of our children and grandchildren and not just humans but all other animals too. This is not a decision a few should make for the many, especially when we have alternatives.

Your activism spans beyond the surf, including to the Stop Adani campaign, opposing forest clearing in Manyana, which were devastated by Australia’s summer bushfires, as well as logging in Tasmania’s takayna/The Tarkine, and the recent solidarity paddle outs with @ blackgirlssurf to promote inclusion in the outdoors. What draws you to be involved in this wide range of causes?

Because I feel this is what’s right. Lifelines of nature and old growth forests shouldn’t be cleared. A mine that sucks dry ground water, trashes indigenous land rights, and wrecks our climate shouldn’t be allowed when we now know better. Watching injustices and discrimination of others, due to the colour of their skin or how they look, is unacceptable. I want my son to live in a safe, fair and just world full of kindness and compassion for all living things. Why not do all we can to make this world a better place and leave a legacy that we’re proud of? Do you ever get burnt out by all your activism work in addition to the physical demands of surfing, or feel overwhelmed by the enormity of some of the issues you are trying to tackle? Yes, quite often. But surfing always empowers me to push a bit more. Surfing is physically tiring but it has a magical ability of washing away all emotional and mental stress, re-centring your thoughts. The more I witness the continuing issues develop, the more it spurs me to do something more because if I don’t try, if we all don’t try, these problems that affect us all will only continue getting worst. Governments exist for us: the people. Businesses supply and profit from us: the people. It’s time we demand – through positive, solutions-based, nonviolent actions – how we want to live and determine our own future.

What’s more the surf industry, like other ‘outdoor’ pursuits, continue to be dominated by men. What has your experience as a woman been like in this space, and do you see things improving?

[laughs] Yeah, the surf industry is very male dominated. Though, over my 20+ years as a surfer, things have changed. When I was learning I was always the only girl out, now I’m often surrounded by wonderful women surfers of all ages, sometimes even out-numbering the men! The ocean knows no gender (or race and status) and rewards those who are most connected with their movements. This is what my personal journey as a female surfer has been based upon – letting the ocean take over and guide my wave riding, letting it enhance my femininity. Perhaps, in my lifetime, the surf industry will continue to be male dominated, but away from the magazines, offices, stores… out in the line-up, things are different. I let my female energy empower my movements and that’s what surfing is to me, and to many of my friends.

What’s one thing you know now, that you wish you knew when you were starting out in both surfing, and

environmental activism? In the water: kindness. I spent years of my surfing life not considering other peoples’ situations and taking too many waves for myself. After experiencing some hard times myself, I now like to see others take waves and think that maybe that’s something helping them through. Who knows? But being kind is key! I also wish I knew that the I was the one that I was waiting for. For years

I was always waiting for someone to follow, scared that I may not have been knowledgeable enough to have a valid opinion, or worried people would laugh at me. Finally, I couldn’t wait any longer and to this day have had more confidence to speak out for the betterment of the planet, no matter what!

Can you please leave us with a couple of things our readers can do to support a healthier planet and more inclusive outdoor space for all?

For both environmental and social issues I’d suggest starting with education. Seek information and be aware of what’s happening in your local area. Environmental justice can never be reached without social justice. Learn the indigenous history and culture of your area and embrace those teachings. Teach our children the true meaning of equality and recognise how our privilege has helped us get to a point where we can practice adventure sports. Be inclusive, even if it means going out of your way. Donate money and gear if you can spare it. You can also join your local non-profit organisations, and make sure you make an extra effort to sign their petitions and attend events. At the same time, take individual actions of reducing your carbon footprint (the easiest way to make a big impact without too much effort is looking at where our money is placed – banking, super fund, insurance… – ensuring these institutions don’t invest in fossil fuels and if they do, switch. Other ways are to: eat local and minimise meat and dairy; stop purchasing fast fashion; cut transport emissions by cycling, taking public transport or carpooling; choosing renewable power options; and always voting for the planet!

“The ocean knows no gender (or race and status) and rewards those who are most connected with their movements.” Belinda Baggs, Patagonia Global Sports Activist.