Zoe’s Proud Achievement

Zoe, can you share your journey into para surfing and how it all began?
I started surfing in 2021 but have grown up bodyboarding and by the beach. Familiar with the ocean and comfortable in the sea I started my surfing journey at The Wave in early autumn. I was much like every other newcomer in the class, eager to learn and excited. The only difference between myself and them was that I was a left leg amputee. Following a car accident which left my left leg with irreparable damage I lost my left leg below the knee in February 2015.

The process of recovery was challenging mentally and physically and learning to walk with a prosthetic takes some getting used to. Your balance and overall manoeuvrability are inexplicably challenged and learning how to navigate that can be frustrating. So therefore when I told my friends and family in the summer of 2021 that I wanted to learn to surf people thought I was probably a bit crazy. The blessing with The Wave is that it offers beginner surfers a safe and gentle introducing to surfing. I found I took to it immediately and using one of their giant 9ft Soft Tech boards I was up on my feet (foot!) within my first lesson.

What are some of the challenges you face as an amputee surfer?
As an amputee athlete my main challenge has been engineering and adapting a prosthetic that will allow me to move/balance in the water. Not only is it extremely expensive to own a water activity leg (my current prosthetic costs 10k) but practically there’s a lot of adaptions to consider as well. The weight of the leg, it’s manoeuvrability through water and finally it’s capacity to stay firmly attached in powerful surf! It’s an issue I’m still working on atm with my prosthetics team. I currently surf on an Ossur blade which is definitely a new and bouncier experience!

Given what you’ve been through how much does it mean to you to compete in the Para World Surf Championships?
Surfing for England is my proudest achievement to date. Surfing as an able bodied person is very difficult but as an amputee it takes the difficulty to a different level. All of my team mates are incredible people with their own story of overcoming adversity. They have all truly inspired me. Some of the team were born with disabilities and have had different stories and challenges to someone like myself who acquired a disability following trauma. Every one of us approaches surfing with a positivity and enthusiasm unmatched. It’s our therapy and our freedom. We also just have a lot of banter and enjoy surfing together.

What does it mean to win gold?
I’m proud to win gold but my ambition remain true that I just want to be the best surfer I can be. I was proud that in this event I surfed well regardless of the result. Competition surfing is a difficult beast. It’s subjective to the judges, the ocean is your biggest opponent and it’s not always a straight forward game of the best man wins. My main goals for competition are that my participation promotes surfing to other female amputees who may feel the ocean is inaccessible to them after limb loss.  For myself as a surfer I just want to get better and better. I want to be a great surfer not just great for a girl with one leg. 

“It’s a display of strength and skill at the Worlds and these people are incredible athletes.”

What were the key moments this year to achieving success at the Paras and how do you overcome setbacks?
I’ve worked incredibly hard this year. I’ve surfed every other day without fail, travelled for challenging conditions, worked with a coach 1-1 and really committed myself to the pursuit of getting better. Myself and my coach Melissa went to Huntington a month before the event on the corresponding tide and surfed the break every day. It was a solid move. I was infinitely more prepared and confident than I would have been.

How amazing is the experience seeing so many para athletes come together to compete?
It’s a display of strength and skill at the Worlds and these people are incredible athletes. Sure we have all had huge obstacles to overcome but this is a celebration of surfing and ability over disability.

How supportive are the British crew?
We have a great support team and extended staff within Surfing England. We don’t get to be together often aside from competitions so it’s nice to be together and share the experience of the Worlds. This year I paid for my own coach, Melissa Reid the sightless surfer to accompany me, mentor and coach me throughout the event. It was a good move. It felt so great having that one-one committed support. Melissa was amazing. 

Do you ride a specialised surfboard?
No I don’t surf a specialised surfboard but many adaptive surfers do and have to. My surfboards are from Down the Line and my preference are shortboards from JS Industries. 

What advice would you give to someone who maybe hesitant to pursue surfing due to a disability?
Find your way through accessing Surfing England’s roadshow events, adaptive lessons at The Wave or reach out to adaptive surfers or the team at Surfing England. The obstacles are many but you can overcome them. 

Now you’ve got gold, what goals do you have for your future in surfing?
Another gold. The 2025 season has already started!!