Lessons from Surfing: How the Ocean Prepared Me for Doula Work

Growing up on the ocean, I learned that nature is unpredictable and beautiful. My father, a boat builder, instilled in me a love for the water early on. I spent years working in a surf shop and a surfboard factory, sanding boards and learning the craft. Surfing taught me balance, resilience, and surrender—skills that resonate deeply with motherhood and birth.

Motherhood created a long "flat spell" in my life. Between the demands of parenting and teaching full-time, I barely made it back to the ocean. But now, I’m reconnecting with it, and it’s reminded me how much surfing mirrors the experiences of birth and motherhood.

In the ocean, as in life, there are calm days and chaotic ones. The water can be clear and blue or cold and rough, just as labor can flow smoothly or challenge you with every contraction. My first labor was 72 hours long, starting with an induction and ending in a C-section. My second was a medicated VBAC, and my third, an unmedicated VBAC. Each was unique, teaching me how to embrace the ebb and flow of birth and trust my body.

As a doula, I help parents ride these “waves” of labor. Just like surfing, it’s not about fighting the water but learning to move with it. When contractions come, I encourage mothers to surrender to the rhythm, knowing each wave brings them closer to meeting their baby.

Surfing taught me patience, acceptance, and the art of riding life’s unpredictable waves. These lessons guide me in supporting families during one of the most transformative times of their lives.

Whether on a surfboard or at a birth, balance, resilience, and trust are key. I’m honored to share these lessons as I help families navigate their own journeys.