Spotlight on Sam Bloom: Aussie Surfer Making Her Dreams Happen Today

When I finally meet Sam Bloom in Boca Barranca, Costa Rica I am immediately surprised by how petite she is. Familiar with the much-admired Aussie surfer’s story and accomplishments, I suppose I expected someone well, bigger. However, don’t be fooled by Sam’s size; there is a lot of strength and power packed into her small frame. In fact, Sam is a two-time World Para Surfing Champion in the Women’s Prone Division, winning the ISA World Championships in 2018, 2020 and then became the AASP Unassisted Prone Champion in 2023.  Moreover, this year she has won her division at the first three of four stops on the AASP Tour.

Most recently, she scored first-place honors in Boca Barranca at the High Fives Foundation Open Pro of Adaptive Surfing led and organized by the Association of Adaptive Surf Costa Rica.

Overcoming an Almost Fatal Accident and Devastation

It was only in 2013 that Sam Bloom’s life took a drastic turn after suffering an almost fatal accident. She was vacationing with her husband Cam and their three boys in Thailand. While admiring the gorgeous view from the observation deck of the hotel, the deck’s faulty railing gave way when Sam leaned against it. As a result, Sam crashed six meters below onto unforgiving concrete tiles. Amazingly, she survived but suffered many injuries including ruptured lungs, a fractured skull and became paralyzed from the chest down.

During the next several months, Sam would experience a range of emotions and a downward spiral that at times would cause her to lose her will to live. It would take a lot of determination, courage and surprisingly the help from “an unlikely feathered friend” to set up an extraordinary recovery. (Sam tells it best in her own words. I encourage you to read them and to check out the well-known account of this part of her life in the movie Penguin Bloom if you haven’t yet.)

In fact, today Sam inspires audiences not only in Australia but around the world by sharing her story. Add to that the example she sets through her excellent accomplishments in the sport of surfing, and you can see why Sam Bloom is a role model for so many people. In August 2018, she was selected as a member of the Australian Adaptive Surf Team. The charismatic and resilient Aussie says she is incredibly grateful to be reconnected with her love for the ocean and surfing once more.

Praise for the Wave at Boca Barranca

Sam took the time to answer some questions after the High Fives Open Pro of Adaptive Surfing and here are excerpts from the interview.

What is your home break?  Favorite wave? 

I live on the northern beaches in Sydney so the closest beach to us is Bungan Beach a few minutes’ walk from our house. My favorite beach where we live is called Palm Beach, about a 10-minute drive. My all-time favorite wave was absolutely Boca Barranca! I’ve never surfed such a perfect wave in my life! 

What did you like best about the wave at Boca Barranca (and how does it compare to some of the other AASP contest breaks?) 

Sam: The things I loved about surfing at Boca Barranca was how perfect the shape was, the warm water, how long the wave goes for and the fact it’s not too powerful. 

Boca Barranca for me was an absolutely amazing wave. Compared to some of the surf breaks in California I’d rather surf Boca Barranca hands down. I find the surf in California to be so much more powerful and at times terrifying! Give me warm water and a predictable point wave any day.

I do like competing in Hawaii because it’s warm and easy for me to paddle back out which is similar to Boca Barranca. 

Applause for the Association of Adaptive Surfing Professionals Tour

How does the AASP tour compare/contrast from the ISA World Championships?

Sam: I love competing in the AASP tours because we get to travel the world and experience different breaks, cultures etc. The prize money helps too!

The ISA Worlds is always in California during winter, so the water is freezing making it hard to warm up. But none of that matters when the excitement of representing your country kicks in and you’re paddling for a wave.

Each country that hosts an AASP competition brings their own culture and diversity to the event which enhances the experience. Having said that, I still love the atmosphere at both competitions (ISA Worlds and the AASP Tour).

How do you stay humble? What keeps you motivated? 

Sam: I’ve always been pretty humble, but I think my humility comes from having experienced such a profound life-changing event. That in turn cultivated a deep sense of humility and appreciation for life. My three boys keep me motivated and I try to do my best for them. 

Living with Purpose

Has adaptive surfing changed you? If so, in what way? 

Sam: Adaptive surfing has changed me because it’s given me a purpose which I believe everyone needs. After my accident I felt like I had no purpose at all so kayaking helped me enormously initially but returning to surfing has changed my life for the better. 

I also love being part of such an incredible community. Sure, our injuries/disabilities may be different, but everyone involved just ‘gets it’ and you can see how surfing has helped so many people who’ve had so much trauma and grief in their life to find happiness again. We should never underestimate the power of nature as a healing force.

The good thing about sharing my story is encouraging other people who have sustained a SCI that it’s still possible to surf and have fun despite your disability.

What do you enjoy doing when not surfing?

 Sam: When I’m not surfing, I enjoy being a keynote speaker because my husband Cam and I get to travel around Australia sharing our story. It’s great meeting people all over the country and hearing other people’s stories too. (*Sam’s husband Cam, a professional photographer, captured the enfolding of Sam’s recovery process through his camera’s lens. Today you can find him using his drone to capture footage of Sam’s surfing).

I also love going to the gym and hanging out with my three boys. 

Make Your Dreams Happen Today

Favorite phrase, expression or words to live by?

The one thing I live by is ‘don’t put your dreams on hold, make them happen today not tomorrow because you never know what tomorrow may bring.’

You don’t want to live your life thinking I wish I’d done this or that. If you want to do something, then do it. 

I’m lucky because up until my accident that’s how I lived my life and I’m so grateful to not have regrets. 

I was wondering in light of the attention that the petition to include surfing in the Paralympics is drawing, if you’d like to comment on that.

Sam: I, too, signed the petition and dearly hope LA reconsiders it’s decision. It provides hope for many athletes who’d love to represent their country at an Olympic Games.

Sam, it was incredible to meet you and Cam, and see you surf! Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions so graciously. I look forward to seeing you at Boca Barranca next year, and hopefully you can bring your boys next time. Until then, keep living the Pura Vida.

                            _________________________________________

Check out Sam’s website to learn more about her journey and some of the activities she is involved in. Follow her on instagram @samjbloom. and follow Cam Bloom @cambloom.

Find out more about the AASP Tour here. 

Sign the petition for Parasurfing to be included in the Paralympics for LA28 here. 

All photos used with permission by Martina Galvez/Watching Over the Waves and Cameron Bloom.