With Mother's Day this Sunday, it is all about the mums, the strong woman in our life, our role models, our best friends, our inspiration. How do mum's that wing, windsurf or foil find time to get out on the water? How do they juggle work, children and life and find time for themselves? It is an essential component of stress relief and wellness. Making time for yourself may feel indulgent or selfish, but that is far from the truth. Even small acts of self-care or self-kindness can go a long way in decreasing the feelings of exhaustion, burnout, stress and even depression that busy mothers often feel. Being a mum can be the most fulfilling role you'll ever have, and while you wouldn't change it for the world, you still need balance in your life. Taking time for self-care, even a little bit of me time, is essential for maintaining your mental and health. In this blog we find out from mums who love watersports how they manage The Mother of all juggling acts! Here at The Official Test Centre we have a Women Who Wing club, this is a ladies only winging club, look out for details when it will be starting up again.
By Emma Nicholson.
First supermum is Amanda Buggy, our very own SurfDoctor guru;
What do you enjoy about getting out on the water?
Amanda said: "The feeling, there’s nothing like it. It’s most definitely one of my ‘happy’ places, all the worries just seem to melt away whether I’m in or on the water, and generally smile like a Cheshire Cat."
As a mum is it easy to get out on the water?
Amanda said: "Not at the moment, I used to be on the water at every opportunity and it was also my job. Family and work commitments means i don’t get on the water as much as I’d like to, but over time that will change and hopefully my boys will enjoy being in the water as much as we both do."
As a mum how do you juggle being a mum and finding time for yourself to spend time on the water?
Amanda said: "I used to put lots of pressure on myself to still get on the water as much as possible, but it’s started to impact my enjoyment. I now go out when it works, and the of rest of the time I just love being with my kids in the outdoors running, cycling and being in the water. The one things that really helps is that we always plan our family holidays around Watersports, and I get this time to really enjoy it without the rest of life’s family juggling! Over time this will change, windsurfing and being on the water is a big part of my life and always has, so it’s always there for me, but life’s too short, so I want to enjoy the great times I have with my kids right now."
How will you be spending Mother’s Day?
Amanda said: "I’m not sure it will be any different to any other Sunday! My husband works away, but he’s at home at the moment, which is perfect timing, so most likely lots of biking, walking and maybe a great excuse for cake!"
If you could have any watersports gift what would you wish for this Mother’s Day?
Amanda said: "A day at Spreks, Maui. One of my favourite places. However I think that’s unlikely. Mmmm that’s a tricky one, I’m probably due a new harness, so i think that would have to be it."
Second up is Jemma I'ons, let's find out how she juggles mum life and her watersports hobby?
What do you enjoy about getting out on the water?
Jemma said: "I love the freedom of being out on the water - there’s no chores to do out there so it’s rare “me time”
As a mum is it easy to get out on the water?
Jemma said: "I can’t blame being a mum for the excuses I come up with to avoid going on the water if it looks a bit too cold or windy for my ability - but if the sun is out and there’s a nice south westerly breeze I can usually find a way to get out there!"
As a mum how do you juggle being a mum and finding time for yourself to spend time on the water?
Jemma said: "I have three teenage children who all love windsurfing - over the years I have helped them rig up, carry kit and then watch them on the water, and then be the provider of copious amounts of food when they come off hungry! They are all now independent with their rigging and kit carrying and they are now the ones encouraging me to get out windsurfing. I am still a bit nervous about going out on the really windy days but they’ll give me little pep talks and boost my confidence. It’s an incredible feeling overcoming the nerves and achieving something new on the water. Last summer all three were cheering me on when I finally learnt how to get in my foot straps!"
How will you be spending Mother’s Day?
Jemma said: "This Mother’s Day I’ll be on the shore supporting the junior IQ foil training that my son will be attending."
If you could have any watersports gift what would you wish for this Mother’s Day?
Jemma said: "Over the last two years I have given winging a go and I loved it. I haven’t managed to wing foil successfully yet but am determined to keep trying. My perfect watersports gift would be a wing foiling set up for a beginner!"
Third, Sally Massey, for her it is all about escapism;
What do you enjoy about getting out on the water?
Sally said: “I enjoy the forgetting about the daily routine for a few hours and escaping on the water to get that adrenaline rush.”
As a mum is it easy to get out on the water?
Sally said: "“No it’s very frustrating because the time slots when you can go quite often don’t work if there’s no wind or too much wind. “
As a mum how do you juggle being a mum and finding time for yourself to spend time on the water?
Sally said: "Juggling when you have available time to go depends on the wind so I’m forever watching the wind apps - which makes it even more precious when everything is in your favour!”
How will you be spending Mother’s Day?
Sally said: "Looking at the forecast the day before & keeping my fingers crossed."
If you could have any watersports gift what would you wish for this Mother’s Day?
Sally said: "I’d quite like a new helmet!"
Fourth up, is Kerry Knight, The OTC Schools Project Manager, for her it is all about freedom;
What do you enjoy about getting out on the water?
Kerry said: "I enjoy the freedom of being out on the water, busy Mums have busy minds and when you are out there learning something new, you are totally responsible for your own decisions and mistakes. I can’t think about anything else when I’m winging or windsurfing apart from what manoeuvre I need to do next. What’s for dinner definitely goes to the bottom of the list!"
As a mum is it easy to get out on the water?
Kerry said: "I feel so very lucky doing the job that I do. It means that I get to spend my three working days on the water with the lovely children and young people of Weymouth and Portland. It also helps that both my Husband and Son are addicted to the water so, there’s nothing better than a family outing in Portland Harbour on a sunny and windy weekend."
How will you be spending Mother's Day?
Kerry said: "Fingers crossed that we get a good forecast for this Sunday and I can spend some time on the water on Mother's Day."
If you could have any watersports gift what would you wish for this Mother’s Day?
Kerry said: "Nothing beats a lovely bunch of tulips and a nice G&T! Happy Mother's Day to my fellow windsurfing and winging Mums."
Next up meet Lisa Keenan, you will find Lisa down at The Official Test Centre when it is windy, always happy to chat and pass on her enthusiasm for windsurfing and winging.
What do you enjoy about getting out on the water?
Lisa said: "Escaping from everyday life. Being free."
As a mum is it easy to get out on the water?
Lisa said: "No, things keep popping up, unexpected. Always when the wind is in the right direction."
As a mum how do you juggle being a mum and finding time for yourself to spend time on the water?
Lisa said: "The lads have left home, I’m still working, and now have two dogs. Look at the winds ahead of time, work out how the winds falls between work and the dogs. Understanding hubby."
How will you be spending Mother’s Day?
Lisa said: "Walking the dogs, hoping to get out on the water, first time this year. Windsurfing or winging, depends on the wind."
If you could have any watersports gift what would you wish for this Mother’s Day?
Lisa said: "An OTC voucher, so I can keep on improving. Specially on the winging, got to learn how to switch."
The last legendary lady we speak to today is Laura Micheals, embracing the head space getting out on the water gives her;
What do you enjoy about getting out on the water?
Laura said: "I enjoy the head space it gives me, the chance to be ‘me’ not mum for a little while. The ability to switch off and only think about the wind and the swell. I love the endorphins and adrenaline I get from being out on the water and I find I am much more patient and relaxed after a windsurf, wing or kite session. I also think it’s good to show my kids that it is good to pursue your hobbies, and that adults (and mums!) can have fun too. I hope they will do the same and have fun in whatever they choose when they are older."
As a mum is it easy to get out on the water?
Laura said: "The simple answer is no. I always feel there is something else that could or should be done. I have always said I would carry on with my hobby after children and I have chosen to prioritise doing this for the above reasons. I am very lucky to have a supportive husband who has the same hobby. He will push me to go out on the water if I’m doubting my decision and will ‘tag tam with the kids’. We are also very lucky to live next to the beach or in a camper van (in the summer holidays) which makes this tag teaming possible!"
As a mum how do you juggle being a mum and finding time for yourself to spend time on the water?
Laura said: "I feel like life is a juggle for every parent. I guess everyone choses what they feel they need to prioritise for themselves and for their children at each stage of life. There are times where I will be able to get on the water a lot and other times that I may not be able to get out for months at a time. However I will try and make it work when possible. Our kids are very used to embracing windy beaches and we will try and get them involved where ever we can - rock climbing / beach combing / surfing / rock pooling. However sometimes on those cold winter days it will be trying to head out and embrace a spare hour of the day.
How will you be spending Mother’s Day?
Laura said: "Im not sure to be honest, a cup of tea and breakfast in bed with the family will be bliss. Im sure we will head outside to the beach and if the conditions are right then an hour on the water would be the dream. My husband is very good at last minute spontaneous adventures so we will see what happens!"
If you could have any watersports gift what would you wish for this Mother’s Day?
Laura said: "Sun, wind and time on the water with friends and family."
Are you a mum, would you like to try windsurfing for the first time? Would you like to improve existing skills? How about some 1:1 tuition? Click here to find out more about starting your watersports journey with us at The Official Test Centre.