Chasing waves is her passion

SPEAKING of surfing, one usually associates it as a male dominated sport, but in recent years more and more women are starting to take interest in the water sport.

Aboitiz Power branding and communications associate Ferina Santos has always been fascinated with the sea since she was a little child.

“In my childhood days when I was playing in the ocean I would really play with the waves,” she said.

Despite her love for the sea, surfing was something that she thought she can never do.

“I started diving ... [then] got interested with underwater photography but it is really hard,” she said.

Ferina s ai d as she grew up she started to explore things and then she thought, being in Davao City, surfing is something she could never do. She used to think that she had to go to surfing hot spots in the coutnry to be able to surf.

“The opportunity to try it evetually presented itself to me when I organize a trip between me and my friends to learn to surf here in Mati,” she said.

“I was really scared to try it because I think I couldn’t do it,” Ferina said.

Her first few tries with surfing was not a smooth ride, she said her first two days, she could barely stand or balance herself on the board. She had to regualry go to the surfing spot for month just to learn the ropes.

But that did not stop her from learning how to surf.

“I wanted to pursue surfing because it was like an ultimate dream for me... it really tested me physically and there is like a spiritual level to it because it is also a danger sport because you never know [what will happen]. It [aslo] gives you an adreneline rush and it is always different everytime,” Ferina said.

Ferina was first taught by surfer Myko then by Cy and Upaw. She learned surfing at the Dahican Beach Resort.

In terms of surfing, Ferina believes that she is still in “Grade 1” and still has a long to go to become a pro-surfer.

“I’m still starting. I just learned how to turn my board. I believe I have so much to learn,” she said.

Ferina goes to the beach to surf every weekend or during holidays. Two weekends in Davao City and the rest she goes to the beaches of Davao Oriental.

“But I plan to explore different [surfing] spots and get to know the culture and the people there because it is a different experience in every different place,” she said.

Wanting to share her experiences and love for surfing, Ferina has embark on a project called Mermaids Do Surf.

“It is still on its infancy stage and I hope to develop it [showing my journey in life and in surfing],” she said.

Her role model surfers are Bethany Hamilton and Kelia Moniz.

Surfing has not only helped Ferina to remain fit and healthy but she has also learned simple things in life from surfing.

“I guess what I have learned [from surfing] is once you have a dream you will always have to chase it. Like it is the only way you will ever be fulfilled in life,” Ferina said.

“I think that all of us have our own passion and dreams and we should go chasing them because that is the only way we’ll ever know ourselves,” she added.

She said for those who are chaisng their own dreams and are afraid to do it, she encourages them to immediately grab the opportunity if it is presented to them.

“I won’t say that I have reached my dreams yet but I’m still on the stage of continually pursuing them,” Ferina said.

Ferina said she wants to continue to surf until she can’t do it anymore.

You can view her photos and videos through the Mermaids Do Surf Facebook page or you can check her on Instagram: @mermaidsdosurf or on Youtube: Mermaids Do Surf. She also has her personal blog apinkbanana.tumblr.com.