Her story:
Victoria grew up in Vancouver, Canada, snowboarding, skateboarding and surfing. She fell in love with surfing from her first wave and dreamed of surf adventures. When she was 18 years old, she overshot a snowboard kicker, landed badly and sustained a spinal cord injury. With partial paralysis from the waist down, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to surf again. Victoria returned to snow, skate and surfing years later and became North America’s first clinical physiotherapist who also uses a wheelchair.
Victoria has 10 years experience as a physiotherapist, and 10 years experience as an adaptive ski instructor teaching from a sit-ski before channeling her energy into surfing. As adaptive surfing moves towards the Paralympics, Victoria focused on Oahu’s North Shore to reach her surfing potential. Leading the women’s para surf progression, Victoria has won 5x ISA Para Surfing World Titles, 2x Adaptive ASP World Titles and holds a World Record. But for Victoria, helping other people with disabilities experience surfing and feel free in the water holds as just as much meaning as winning a contest. She understands the unique challenges surfing with a disability present from her clinical training, expertise and life story. When she’s not travelling for surf competitions, Victoria is an avid musician, a new free diver and enjoys attempting to make latte art.
The adaptive surf community has shown me how good adaptive surfers can be. I’m stoked to win contests, but that sense of progression and discovery is just as compelling.
I feel free in the water, I’d like to help others feel the same. It’s just the beginning.”
Competition Results
ISA World Para Surfing Championship 2022 - Gold Medalist
Abanca Pantin Classic Galicia Pro, Spain 2022 - Gold Medalist
English Open Adaptive Surf Championships 2022 - Gold Medalist
Hawaiian Adaptive Surf Championship 2022 - Gold Medalist
ISA World Para Surfing Championship 2021 - Gold Medalist
ISA World Para Surfing Championship 2020 - Gold Medalist
ISA World Para Surfing Champion 2018/2019 - Gold Medalist
Huntington Beach Adaptive Open 2018 - Amateur Division Winner
ISA World Para Surfing Championship 2017 - Silver Medalist - 9th in combined Men’s Division
ISA Para Surfing Worlds 2016 - 16th Open Kneel Division
