Words Mimi LaMontagne

10616075 10153117412879348 652726909812288187 nCourtney Conlogue, head down and ready to go. Photo: Swatch / Todd Glaser

Last year, midway through Bells, Courtney Conlogue went out for a freesurf and came in with a potentially broken ankle. She was out of the water for three-and-a-half events, and any chance of being a contender in the title race was gone.

We met at a coffee shop in Coolangatta late last week to talk about how she was feeling, and if her ankle is really ready for the 2015 season. This is the story of her recovery, and the tenacity it took, to get back to where she is today.

You were out for so long mid-year. How did you train to get yourself out of that injury slump?

At the time I thought the injury was a huge burden. It took me out of the world title race. When it first happened I was in denial a little bit. To not be able to compete or perform is one of the hardest things in the world – it’s what I live and breathe to do as an athlete.

I was in a boot for six weeks and went to PT every single day. I couldn’t even move my ankle. I spent that time watching Fiji and Brazil and the US Open, and just watching, thinking I WANT TO BE THERE! I was doing ankle therapy while watching my fellow competitors win contests. But when I look back it gave me the time to reflect and realise why I was doing it all in the first place.

Through my injury I did a lot of training for functional strength and stability.

Kind of the plus side to an injury?

You know what, I think it ended up being a blessing in disguise. The severity of the injury – no one really knows how bad it was – but it was enough to keep me out for a long while. I took to prone paddling a lot ­and I would paddle from 8-12 miles every day. I was so frustrated that I couldn’t surf because it’s what I love to do. I was paddling several times a week and just doing laps, raging. But I started going out at the crack of dawn and the water was sheet glass, like a mirror, the sun was coming up – it was one of the most peaceful times. It was one of those moments that would put you into the now. None of that bad stuff mattered anymore.

Towards the end of my recovery, I saw a transition with my passion and focus. It went into the right direction. It put me on a better, healthier path in the long run.

Do you feel ready to surf somewhere like Fiji later in the year? Are you 100% healthy?

I think I’m as ready as I ever will be – my ankle is really strong, but I do still feel it. But because it’s strong I know it can take a beating.

The WSL asked us what locations we wanted on tour, and the three locations I put on my list are now on tour – Trestles, Fiji and Maui. To me, Fiji is a different level of women’s surfing that shows how hard you’re willing to go for it. It adds variety to the world title race – those three locations all give different surfers a chance to shine and a chance to prove themselves.

893b5b023d3430c3b887b1ff4bc76578Back in the jersey for a fresh year. Photo: WSL

Where do you think YOUR key strengths are?

I think ever since I was little it was going for the big waves. I’ve always loved surfing big waves because I love the challenge and the rush. I find that you have to be willing to put yourself over the edge and challenge yourself in order to catch the best waves in those conditions. It adds that waterman’s attitude to it, because when you have flaws in your water awareness or your strength, you pay the price. The risk is higher but the reward is bigger, to me at least.

But in saying that Trestles is my backyard, and it gives you the opportunity to showcase your innovation, and I think a lot of women will take it to the air.

Do you feel comfortable doing airs with your ankle? 

Yeah! I was doing that my second day back in the water. I was only in the water three days before surfing Trestles. It was a bit early, but I figured it’d be good to get back into competition and have it on my home turf so I could get back in that competitive mindset, and be ready for France abroad. Also, with Swatch putting on the first Women’s World tour event at Trestles, I wanted to compete in it, especially since I’m a part of the Swatch PROTEAM family, and they were so supportive through my injury that I wanted to be ready and I wanted to show support for what they were doing too.

Coming back on tour this year, the first year of the WSL, do you notice any differences?

Yeah. I love WSL. People can say what they want but as a surfer, and a fan, it’s better. It’s legitimate, and of course there will always be things to improve on, but this is way better. They support us. And what more could you ask for? It’s just going to get better from here, generation by generation – nothing is supposed to be stagnant, and people just need to get used to the change.

Well thanks for the chat Courtney, and we’ll see you at Bells! 

And, if you want to see Courtney too, she’s holding a signing in conjunction with Swatch at the Swatch Store Melbourne Emporium on Saturday, March 28th, from 1-2pm. Head on down and have a chat!

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