I grew up in San Diego and learned to sail at age 7 on a nine-foot Sabot. At 10 years-old, I completed a 5,000-mile cruise with my family on our sailboat, the Endless Summer, exploring Mexico. I learned navigation, boat handling, dinghy operation and how to stand watch. I felt the freedom and independence of traveling by sailboat to experience a different culture, while living simply and in harmony with the ocean.
My love of the ocean and natural athletic inclination led me to try surfing. I was 14 when I first stood up in the whitewash. After that, it was all I wanted to do. I was determined to excel at the sport and eventually I competed for the UCSB surf team and in private surf contests quite successfully for four years. My 2001-2002 season culminated in a win at the NSSA Nationals, making me the 2002 College Women's National Champion.
