Starting the new year knowing its not all going to bounce back to its 2019 glory straight away makes me feel a little deflated. However, I know that I have made the most out of a shit situation.

I started 2020 with a fantastic New Years day surf, which was very much needed, as the kids and I had been wiped out in December 2019 with what the doctors kept describing as a “flu-type virus” that they were “seeing a lot of.” Yes I took the first child who caught it to the doctors multiple times as we could not get his temperature down for five days straight, it hit 40.7c, and not just the once. We’re talking 3am windows open, wet towels fully dosed up and on the phone to 111, again.. multiple times. With myself and the second child getting sick… this period spanned three weeks. Like I said, the New Years Day surf was welcomed.

Refreshed and welcoming the new decade, 2020 started off well. I had the most amazing birthday where my husband had arranged a London stay over and a trip to see Cirque du Soleil!

Then Covid took over the news.

The schools were closed.

WTF.

We made the most out of lockdown though. We had never been more grateful to have a garden, where we spent most of our time. And as all traffic / air traffic stopped, the world was silenced and seemed to breath.

The sun came out.

For six months straight.

We played in the sand pit, the paddling pool, and enjoyed family handstand practices. I had to get creative shooting my sponsored gear in the garden.. the garden shed came in handy as a back drop, and I rather enjoyed shooting The Pool Files. The garage came into its own as my husband created a gym. This gym has been our absolute life saver this year.

Never underestimate the power of a garage.

We went camping. Twice. One fantastic trip and one terrible trip. Our memories from camping in 65mph winds and sleeping in the car will never fade.

We celebrated our 11 year wedding anniversary with dinner in the garden. I bought a new dress.

The schools went back and we didn’t have to homeschool any more. This was one of the toughest things for me this year. Not not seeing lots of friends and family, not not going on holiday, not not surfing; but homeschooling. We shared the efforts and then when my husband went back to work it was on me. I had a schedule and asked the school for more work. I ran a school day from 9am – 2pm. The five year old was allowed to go back to school for a month which was an unbelievably welcomed break… you try not being a teacher and planning school work and teaching a 5yr old and a 7yr old and let me know how you get on. This went on until September as they had missed so much school, we did have fun Fridays though, four days a week in the summer was enough. They also worked with tutors (online – of course) which helped too. Then my husband would get home from work, and I’d head up to the home office to start my work day.

This lasted six months.

Pass. The. Wine.

I was able to run four limited numbers Wake Daze events at Xtreme Wake. These were so needed and I can’t wait to see everyone and more new faces again next year! Dates coming soon.

I got to head to North Devon Wake Park with Watersports World to film the Virtual Dealer Days. The days were long but so fun and SO MUCH wakeboarding. I even went down a day early so I could surf. I surfed for three hours. Three hours guys! Usually with the family, we take power hour surfs so that we can both get in the ocean. But not that day.. that day I had no where to be. I even watched the sun set over the ocean.

I got to film an edit for Hyperlite with the 2021 Soul Mate!!!

Thank god the lakes were able to open (safely and socially distance – of course) this year. I made sure I hit the cable park once a week while I could. Which was made even better with a new board!

I’ve wanted to get into the habit of working out in the morning on the daily.. for FOREVER. The garage gym and lockdown has helped me actually do this. I’m loving having somewhere else to go and work out, even if it is -1c in there and the bars are like ice.

Christmas. Do I need to say anything?

We had a great day though, my folks even gave us half their turkey. Yep! A raw turkey cut straight through the middle. It tasted amazing.

So overall, I have learnt that we are extremely adaptable and can find the good in bad situations. I’ve learnt that my tolerance levels have increased or maybe I’ve got better at controlling them. I’ve learnt to spend my time wisely and not waste it on things that don’t add value. I’ve learnt that as long as you’ve got your most important parts of your life in order – mine are family, friends, work, health and activities – you’re good.

Happy New Year everyone and I hope to see you on water in 2021! xx