Shannon Quirk -- big wave world tour, empowering women in the water

This Ocean Life Podcast

** Interview Episode 112 ** From professional snowboarding to organizing big wave surfing events, Shannon Quirk has been part of the action sports world for over a decade. As a reporter and coordinator with the WSL Big Wave Tour Shannon has developed a close connection with the world's big wave breaks and the men and women who charge them. From Argentina to Portugal to Hawaii, Shannon has lived seasonally in amazing locations building a global community of friends and family that have supported her in both her surfing and professional snowboarding. Throughout, Shannon has placed high emphasis on empowering women through sport and has been heavily involved with gender equity on the big wave tour and as an advocate of health and wellness of us all through day-to-day activity in the ocean. Lots of great videos on Shannon’s YouTube channel and a close look at latest North Shore news and events — check her out at shannonreporting.com.

Other pieces of our conversation with Shannon:

• Settling down on Oahu, life-giving nature of the ocean, surfing, and yoga
• Living in various places around the world including Maui, with big focus on Nazare, Portugal for 3 years
• Similarities of Portugal to Northern California — cold water, wetsuits and thick heavy waves
• Working for the Big Wave Tour and ‘family' aspect of big wave surfers
• Knew as a youth that journalism was the path she wanted to pursue
• Focus on growing movement of women in big wave surfing and finding new ways to showcase women in the
• Starting live reporting for Surf Channel at Mavericks and refining her craft of reporting over the years
• Dynamics of big wave rescue, driving jet skis, and preparing to help yourself and others in big surf
• Spent years as a pro snowboarder and traveling the world to chase winters.
• Shannon talks about her quiver on the North Shore — big wave boards down to 6’5
• The importance of yoga in Shannon’s regular routine

You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, and Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate