Written by Leah Dawson
Photos by Matteo Erbisti
The ocean, for so many of us, is a nurturing, energetic bath, as if we are cradled in the womb of the earth. I’ve felt that deeply for as long as I can remember. The salt water has always felt so healing, wrapped in love.
Surfing takes that energy further, especially when we are in a celebratory headspace with the ocean, surrounded by friends or sea life. As in life, crowds or negative energy can inhibit the feeling of oneness with the ocean, but often, if our intention is geared towards a communion with the sea rather than our performance on a wave, the ocean offers unwavering support.
At the moment, I have a tiny ocean inside me, bringing comfort, weightlessness, and energy to my baby girl who has been growing her life for the last 35 weeks. Pregnancy is a journey; we feel the creation of the universe expand within us each day.
The salinity inside the womb matches that of the primal ocean, before our pollutive societal ways began changing the chemistry. I remind myself of this, wanting to maintain the purest ocean I can for the new life inside me. The nurturing sense of motherhood begins long before birth, as we realize that our exposure to all energies, both physical and non-physical, can have an impact on our babe inside.
Purity of thoughts, our positivity, clean eating, exposure to joyful music, the words we speak, and the ones we don’t, they all matter. Remembering the sponge effect is the daily driver to stay diligent to be our best, to strive for greatness, cleanliness, and to be the highest version of ourselves.
As a lifelong surfer, I always imagined surfing pregnant would be a relative cakewalk, just a little extra weight in the front. Everyone has their own journeys, but for myself, I was mistaken about the ease I thought it would be.
Yes, it feels amazing to be in the ocean, floating and relatively weightless, especially in these later weeks where the weight of my tiny ocean has become thoroughly obvious to the rest of my body!
I did not, however, anticipate the presentation of worry that entered my psyche when surfing. I’ve always recognized that surfing can be a dangerous sport, accidents can happen when we least expect them. In surfing, we can be in control of ourselves, but not of others, and it has been in crowded lineups that the nervousness outweighed the enjoyment while I surfed.
So, throughout my pregnancy, I’ve surfed when it has felt worry-free, when the crowds are minuscule, the waves are manageable, and when my confidence is clear. For me, its similar to surfing on my period, I hardly feel the urge to surf on the first day of my cycle, especially in waves of consequence. But if I am able to go out into the sea to just be there, without the focus on riding waves, then I feel much more attuned and comfortable.
It has certainly been a humbling journey of discovery of how to move on a board with a baby growing inside the belly. Paddling has proven to be the most challenging aspect for me! I’ve attempted the knee paddling posture over and over again, but it has been a lifelong weak spot of my surfing abilities, and adding 30+ lbs and weird weight distribution, knee paddling has not been a viable option for me! Other moms I know implemented this into their practice, and they were able to keep surfing without any seeming limitations! Yet I am constantly reminded through this process that everyone has their unique journey with their own tiny ocean inside of them, and what feels comfortable for some, may not for another!
Overall, this journey has taught me patience with myself and the acceptance of change. I’ve always been an athlete and have strived to keep my body in a tuned-up state. Releasing hold on this, and literally having my core to separate to make room for my baby girl has been a great first lesson in the selflessness that it takes to parent fully and unwaveringly.
Surfing will always be my spirit’s happy place, yet now it gets to expand with new life. We’ll be tandem surfing for years to come! With a profound respect for all life, knowing every human on this planet got here because of a mother’s pregnancy journey, I know there’s more love than any other feeling on this planet.
Want to see Leah's favorite Pregnancy and Postpartum suits? Leah's Picks!
More Pregnancy Blogs
- Surfing Through Pregnancy - What to Know
- Surfing During Pregnancy With Ashley Johnson of Aloha Exchange
