SwellWomen is bliss. SwellWomen is love. Above all, SwellWomen is community. Meet Francesca Terry, who has been on 7 SwellWomen retreats and counting! It is thriving women like Francesca who make SwellWomen what it is today, and we know she will inspire you as much as she has inspired us.
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What inspired you to want to learn to surf?
Francesca: I got into surfing by chance on a holiday in Hawaii. It was Pink October and we were celebrating my remission after an illness that included some heavy medical therapy. My husband encouraged me to try surfing and I found it to be thrilling! He has said many times that he will never forget my elation from surfing on that day.
What’s your favorite surf spot?
Francesca: I have a few favorites, especially in Hawaii but my home is in Australia and if we are talking ‘home break’ I would have to say Greenmount at Coolangatta Rocks on the Gold Coast. It’s a beautiful right-hand point break.
What’s one piece of advice you can offer a novice surfer?
Francesca: Any person at any age can experience the joy of surfing. Your confidence in the waves builds with experience. When you pop up on your board, lock your back foot, have fun and keep the stoke going.
What’s your favorite travel and/or retreat memory?
Francesca: Although my heart belongs in Hawaii, I have to say I loved visiting Sri Lanka. When I went along on my first Swellwomen retreat it was to work on my surfing technique and practice Yoga. I quickly realized that I was receiving so much more. Sri Lanka was filled with wonderful experiences. A beautiful group of like-minded women, an amazing country, a perfect right point break and…those FLAVOURS!
What keeps you inspired and gives you bliss?
Francesca: The ocean has long been thought to have therapeutic qualities. It’s pretty obvious to anyone who spends any amount of time in it: the ocean makes you feel better! I think it’s a good practice to unplug from the grid and listen to the silence. Look into the deep structure of yourself and find out what is really important to you. When I’m surfing I feel like I leave my worries on the sand, the sway and movement of the water give me an unusual kind of freedom and I love to connect with that feeling.
What’s your favorite quote?
When nothing is going right for you… Surf a left!
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