GOOD ENERGY by Anne-Marie Reichman
At every stage of motherhood, I firmly believe it is important to keep doing the things that make you be you and keep you a happy mama and partner. My ocean sports are ‘those things’ for me; windsurfing being my favourite, even though I don’t get to go too often these days. Thankfully I also have a few “land outlets” I love. However, the ocean seems to win when I choose freely. The ocean and the water is a big part of who I am, having windsurfed since I was 11 years old and a full time professional for over 11 years. During pregnancy and being a mum the ocean is my ‘rock’ in a time of changes in body and mind. You give so much being a mama of a newborn and it is so healing and refreshing to get energy back. The ocean energizes me. It is easier for me to be happy, stoked, strong, sane and confident with a water fix. I am super happy that our baby Jayden experienced all this ‘goodness’ in my tummy already. Babies ‘get’ things already, way before their birth. This fluid bundle of positivity could not have gone unnoticed to him. Now approaching the beach and hearing the waves, he is always happy or falls asleep listening to the waves.
BE HONEST
I stopped windsurfing after I found out I was pregnant. It was during the Aloha Classic in 2015 at Ho’okipa Maui, that Jayden was conceived. I finished in 8th place in the PWA event that year. The Aloha Classic is my favourite event on tour and I’ve been part of it since 1998. To conceive then and there, in my favourite place, Maui, was super special! In windsurfing my attitude is ‘all or nothing’. And thus, I let it be. I just could not ‘see’ me doing it in my mind or see me enjoying myself, having to be careful. I did enjoy doing some Wind-SUP being 5 months pregnant during the Starboard photo shoot. I just loved feeling the wind energy take you on the water and remember that ‘first stoke’ when I learned how to windsurf. Surfing and Stand Up Paddling was easier to keep doing where I live in California. Surfing was enjoyable up until 7 months for me. My Husband Eric and I even made “The Pregg”, a 8’0” maternity surfboard with belly concave! SUP in waves on flat water was the bomb and my ‘saving grace’. Up until a week before giving birth, I caught a few sanity waves and cruised my SUP race board on flat water. It was only possible with my hubbie’s help though to carry my board up the beach.
DIFFERENT RHYTHM
My pre-pregnancy attitude was to go for it, not caring about crashing or completing a move. During my pregnancy I chose safety by listening to my intuition. My goal shifted from wanting to improve my skills to just enjoyment of the ocean. Rather, gracefully letting things happen, enjoying my skills and knowledge instead of making it happen; admiring sea life and sharing it all with my baby. At this stage of being a mum (Jayden is now almost 8 months) sessions don’t come as often or spontaneous as when they used to. And I know that will come back later. When I get to go I try not to put too much pressure on ‘how I do’ because without expectations I can enjoy it more and the ‘flow’ seems to be better then anyways.