SURFING HAS BROUGHT ME A SENSE OF CALM AND FOCUS
Angie McLeman, 54, is an occupational therapist. She lives in Dunbar, East Lothian, with husband Garry, 66, and daughters, Christie, 22, and Amy, 20 Like many mums, I would patiently hold the coats while my children did various activities, including learning to surf on our local beach. The thought of having a go myself never entered my head.
Four years ago, my youngest daughter Amy went on a Coast to Coast surfing holiday (c2csurfschool.com) to the Hebrides with her best friend’s family and returned begging for me to go with her the following year.
At first I was horrified, but I realised that if I didn’t push myself out of my comfort zone in my 50s, I never would. I was the oldest on the trip by 20 years and while my fitness and stamina weren’t great, I was determined to keep up.
By the end of the trip I had the technique but not the fitness to see it through. I returned home exhausted but determined to continue. I started yoga classes to help with my balance and strength, and the first time I got up on the board was phenomenal.
Then I discovered a school mum,
Ciara, had attended the same surfing camp 12 months before me and we’ve surfed together ever since.
She’s brilliant company and motivation as neither of us wants to let the other one down.
It’s a lovely connection as is chatting over a postsurf cup of tea by her car. Like many working parents I felt quite overwhelmed by lockdown – trying to balance home and work, master new technology and support the children – but having Ciara there to listen and offer quiet and wise reflections helped so much.
As well as being great fun, surfing brings an enormous sense of calm, while sunrise or sunset surfs make it extra magical. You clear your mind of rubbish and focus purely on the waves.
Best friend, fellow surfer, mum of two and archaeologist, Ciara Strachan, 53, says:
I really treasure the close friendship with Angie that surfing has brought me.
It’s like being children again, looking out for good waves, grabbing our toys and going out to play until we’re too tired to carry on.