Belinda Baggs: surfer, activist, mother
Adventure Magazine|August 2020
Belinda Baggs grew up with sand between her toes. Following in the footsteps of her father, a passionate surfer, the she progressed beyond the shore break to behind the breakers, and through her teens the surfing lifestyle became embedded deeply in her being. With titles from the women’s longboarding circuit under her belt, Bindy is a dedicated mother and activist, working today with Patagonia, @surfersforclimate and @take3forthesea among other action groups.
Belinda Baggs: surfer, activist, mother

From her home on Australia’s Surf Coast, Bindy shared how the ocean provides solace, empowering her to tread lightly yet fight for the planet, and her child’s future.

Did you always have an adventurous nature, drawing you to the outdoors and an alternative life for yourself?

My adventures were always in or around the coast hunting for the best waves. Even as a beginner, the conditions can make a huge impact on your session, and surfing new places is part of the lure; I guess the grass is always greener around the next bend so to speak.

Part of being a surfer is exploration, whether it be in your own region, nationally or overseas. I took exploration to an extreme, traveling every nook and cove in my state as well as chasing dreams of surfing Nirvana internationally – in hopes of discovering the world’s best longboard wave. Although I stumbled upon many perfect point breaks, it’s safe to say that I gained more from experiencing different cultures and rich landscapes, than I ever did from the actual wave riding.

Riding waves is an exercise that connects us with the Earth’s energy and nature. Moving to Victoria as an adult, I found this connection was enhanced by the wild conditions. Surfing became a best friend, a place to go when I was sad or angry, and is where I can always feel a sense of belonging and home.

What have been some of your career highlights? And have you had any memorable surf experiences in NZ?

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