
CSI Pacific Athlete of the Month Powered by 2XU
The Athlete of the Month is our way of acknowledging a BC-located athlete who has displayed outstanding performances in their sport and deserves recognition. Athletes chosen monthly to be the face of Canadian Sport Institute Pacific will receive a celebration feature on our website and a gift from 2XU.
Each athlete selected as Athlete of the Month receives a small token of congratulation sponsored by 2XU. CSI Pacific would like to thank 2XU for their generosity and support of the program.
Sport:
Para-Surfing
Birthday:
August 20th, 1985
Place of Birth:
Calgary, AB
Coach:
Alcino “Pirata” da Silva
Favourite Quote:
“If my life is mine, what shouldn’t I do” – Metric
Career Highlights:
- ISA World Para Surfing Championship 2020 – Gold Medalist
- ISA World Para Surfing Champion 2018/2019 – Gold Medalist
- ISA World Para Surfing Championship 2017 – Silver Medalist
- Huntington Beach Adaptive Open 2018 – Amateur Division Winner
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Bio
Victoria grew up living a very active lifestyle in Vancouver: hiking, soccer, snowboarding, you name it. While in university, she sustained a serious injury during a snowboarding accident, but didn’t let that stop her. She returned to skiing and surfing one year after her injury. Victoria joined Team Canada in 2016, where she was the only female adaptive surfer. Since then, she has won several medals, and most recently has gone on be a 2X World Champion in Adaptive surfing (defended her title in March 2020 @ ISA World Para Surfing Championships).
Outside of sports, Victoria earned her Masters in Physiotherapy from UBC – she was the first physiotherapist in North America to be in a wheelchair. She is also a certified ski instructor, volunteers with Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports, and is an advocate for pushing adaptive surfing into the Paralymics, Victoria did an interview with BT Vancouver in July of 2019.
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Q&A (MM)
How did you get in to surfing?
I was an avid snowboarder prior to my spinal cord injury. I loved snowboarding in powder because it felt like surfing. I learned to surf when I was able-bodied at age 16, and I returned to it a year after my injury. That speed and rush of riding the wave felt exactly the same after my injury-I was hooked!
What is it like being a Team Canada adaptive surfer?
I am honoured to represent Canada on the international surf scene and excited to help push adaptive surfing towards the Paralympics. I train hard, but I’m also having so much fun!
What is it like being a female adaptive surfer/what does it mean?
Able-bodied surfing and adaptive surfing can be male dominated, but the guys I surf and train with are so supportive and more girls are getting involved. I’m happy to be able to mentor new female adaptive surfers and help grow the sport.
Where’s your favourite wave in the world?
I love surfing in Tofino, but surfing Honolua Bay in Maui is a special experience.
What does it mean to you to be in para sport community?
I have learned so much from the adaptive surf community, made such good friends and progressed in my surfing to an elite level. I’m stoked!
y advice for upcoming athletes?
I don’t know if I can offer any advice, but even on competition days when I’m stressed, I try to remember that I’m spending a day at the beach 🙂