Episode 90 - Surfing life's waves to get to Paris 2024

Growing up in the beautiful East Coast in New Zealand in a tiny area called Makorori Beach, our guest this week speaks openly about her love for her community, her love for the area she grew up in and her love for being in the Ocean. Saffi Vette talks to us about how the classroom was not a place that she enjoyed, but while at school she grew to love the outdoors and embraced the competitive nature that she has. Through this conversation Saffi talks to us about the influence her family, especially her dad, had on her passion for surfing. How she realised that this “recreational activity” can actually become a way for her to make a living as a professional. Along this journey we talk about how the passing of her father to cancer had a massive effect on her as a person and her training, but how her father is always with her. We speak about the kindness of the community in Gisborne, the kindness of her new family in Australia and how this sport has opened up so many connections for her. In amongst all of this talk we also talk about how Saffi felt when she heard that she had qualified to represent New Zealand at the Paris Olympics in 2024 – a dream that she had when she first started watching the Olympics on TV. This episode is filled with so many learnings, laughs and nuggets! Enjoy! Saffi does need your help though, Pro Surfing is not well funded in New Zealand. If you are able to help Saffi with sponsorship please do reach out to her She can be contacted on IG @saffivette