By NATALIA HAWK
You’re going to have to remember the name Quincy Symonds. Because it’s bound to become a household name – just like the names of our most famous Australian athletes.
You see, Quincy is a six-year-old girl that lives on the Gold Coast in Australia. And the experts are saying that she is the best six-year-old surfer they’ve ever seen – that she’s going to do big things one day.
If that sounds like a lot of pressure to put on the shoulders of a six-year-old, don’t worry. Quincy doesn’t care what other people think of her – she just cares that she gets to go surfing everyday. When she can’t go surfing, she goes skateboarding.
And she’s amazing at both of them. Take a look at the video – seeing her shred the waves is bound to make you smile:
A small surfer makes big waves from ABC Open on Vimeo.
In case you can’t watch the video – Quincy was inspired to start surfing by her father, Jake, who passionately loves the ocean. Jake takes Quincy surfing whenever he can, but she also has a coach to help out when dad is away for work.
Anthony Pope is Quincy’s coach, and in the video he says that she “has no fear”: “She has incredible balance and her ability to judge the conditions and adjust is at a level I’ve never seen in someone her age.”
It helps that Quincy has a custom-build mini pro board, a little life-vest to help her out when she needs it in the bigger surf, and a few sponsors already on board to help her along the way.
The most amazing thing about it all? Quincy actually suffers from Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, which is a genetic disorder that often makes her dependent on intensive medical treatment. At the moment, her condition requires that she takes medication in the form of steroids three times per day.
But surfing takes Quincy’s mind off her medical condition. It makes her happy. And it’s a sport that is ridiculously good for your health.
Better Health Victoria notes that surfing is good for your fitness, as well as your muscular strength:
Cardiovascular fitness – from paddling.
Shoulder and back strength – these muscles will strengthen from the paddling.
Leg and core strength – once you’re standing up on the board, strong legs and a strong core will keep you up.
Surfers such as Sally Fitzgibbons and Stephanie Gilmore are some of the fittest people you’ll ever see, and even
Michelle Bridges swears by surfing for working every muscle in your body.
If you’ve ever wanted to try it out, but don’t quite know where to begin, the best possible option is to sign up for a few lessons at a local surf school (Let’s Go Surfing taught me how to surf eight years ago and they’re still kicking on with lessons – they’re in Maroubra, Bondi Beach and Byron Bay and they have girls-only lessons).
They’ll teach you how to read the ocean so that you can choose a decent wave; they’ll also teach you ocean safety and technique, and will hopefully get you standing up on a board before the day is out.
From there, you can invest in your own surfboard and wetsuit, and practice in your own time – there is literally no better way to start the day than with an early-morning surf.
Who knows – maybe you’ll become as good as Quincy.
And in other sports news from the week…
– History was made this week when the Australian Netball League awarded TWO players with their Player of the Year award – both Western Sting captain Ashleigh Brazill and Netball NSW Waratahs shooter Kristina Brice recieved the prestigious award after tying on 30 votes. In seven seasons of the League, this is the first time there has been a joint winner of the award. Congratulations, girls.
– In other news from the netball world, the Victorian Fury were crowned 2014 Australian Netball League champions in Melbourne earlier in the week. Winning the grand final meant that Fury managed 23 consecutive wins – amazing.
– Aussie Spirit, our softball team, have managed to score a bronze medal at the International Softball Federation’s 14th Women’s World Championship in the Netherlands after playing off against the USA.
– Our women’s rugby sevens team managed to score themselves a gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games in China this week, after facing off against Canada. They scored an excellent 38-10 score in the final.
– The Southern Stars, our Aussie women’s cricket team, managed a five-wicket win over Pakistan during last weekend’s one day international series. Pakistan set 8 for 121 from 25 overs, and Australia managed 5 for 124.
– Last weekend also saw our Australian Opals basketball manage a 66-63 win against Brazil at the TBF Zafer Cup in Istanbul – congrats, Opals.
Have you seen anything in the sporting world that you’d like to talk about?
Top Comments
Tears in my eyes, amazing, brave and soo cute!
Wow, pleased I watched that. What an inspirational family. Thoughtful and supportive parents and an amazing girl. I wish them all the best.