NCW’s newest team rider, Leigh Anderson, dropped by The Rubber Shack last week to grab a few NCW goodies. While she was here we got a bit of background goss to introduce her and give a little of what she’s all about. Read on to find out more.
‘Being born and bred in Polzeath, North Cornwall, I’ve grown up on the beach and in the surf. I joined Polzeath surf lifesaving club aged 7 and never looked back. Those early years on the beach have given me my life passions – surf life saving, the ocean and travelling. There will rarely be a day when I’m not in the sea doing something. Whether it’s training on my ski or board, coaching local kids, kneeboarding, bodysurfing or kooking around on my longboard!
I’ve been lucky enough to race surf lifesaving all over the world, from across Europe, to Australia, NZ and South Africa, sometimes representing my club or sometimes the national team. I’ve managed to couple this with a long beach lifeguard career, which has also taken me all over the world, and I now work full time as an RNLI casualty care trainer, while picking up the odd day covering the beach when I can. I love those days.’
‘Competition wise I’ve won numerous national titles, mostly in the ski class (like a K1 kayak), 10’6 board and ironwoman event, an endurance combination of surf swimming, board, ski and running. Internationally in my age group I’ve twice won the European ski and ironwoman titles. But the cherry on the cake was this year winning Worlds in both the ski and board in Italy. Finally nailing it after having medalled in all internationals since 2014. It made all the hours of hard work worth it. I’m lucky enough to have great teammates who also contributed to me taking home a further 4 world medals.
I love everything about being in the sea and passing on my skills and froth for the sport of surf lifesaving, and I’m passionate about being a positive role model to the young groms. Particularly the girls who I coach at the club and getting them out in the surf.’
We’re sure you’ll hear a lot more about Leigh in the coming months. Stay tuned… Meanwhile, check out some of our other NCW team riders here. And follow Leigh on Instagram here.