“Lines, wrinkles and grey hair are just signs of the great journey already lived. The rest is exciting and still to come” - Sam Metcalfe
Sam was actually one of the first people I wanted to interview for the Board Women podcast. I discovered her via her surfing account @surfin.sam. One of her sons had made a beautiful drone shot film of her surfing, on endless waves in the North of England. In all honesty I hadn’t seen many grey haired, female surfers on film, and she was so graceful I wanted to hear her story.
I reached out, got a kind, but definite, “thanks, but not thanks” and I left it there. But, I continued to follow Sam’s progress as she started to skateboard alongside surfing, building up a following on @justolderskate.sam. We continued to celebrate each others mini successes online as we progressed in our sports, and after much nudging, she eventually agreed.
I LOVED this chat. Not just because of Sams stories of growing up with her Dad getting them in the sea in all conditions, and giving her the kind of freedom to explore and challenge herself that I hope to give my own kids. But also because despite her having quite a public journey of learning surfing and skating, there is just so much I didn’t know about her background.
The most surprising? That Sam was the UK windsurfing champion for 8 years in her 30’s. And competed in the world championships - an astonishing fact that came out in our conversation.
These sports have clearly played a significant role (as they do for many) in Sam overcoming significant challenges. Her son going through illness, her mum dying (she names ever board after her).
The thing that is incredibly infectious about speaking to Sam is her pure gratitude for being able to do these sports later in life. So many of us get caught up with progression, with looking to others and their journey, but you can tell that Sam is grateful for even being able to try. (Although she’s not immune to this behaviour, her favourite phrase currently is ‘comparison is the thief of joy).
Her relationship with her boys is at the heart of this gratitude. She surfs with them, she skates with them, they are each others cheerleaders and it’s a special bond that shines through every piece of content she posts.
You might assume that Sam is just a natural at these sports, but that’s not how Sam explains it at all. She talks about the struggle to learn to pop up, but she was just determined, and her kids spurred her on.
Humble, and yet focused and determined to achieve the goals she sets herself, Sam is one aspirational woman. This is one not to miss, and there’s plenty of Northern humour thrown in.
We cover:
Sam’s love of the outdoors and adventure instilled by her dad.
Her younger days as a wind surfer, and becoming a champion.
Taking up surfing and skating in later life, and sharing the passion with her sons.
The story of the mini ramp in the garden.
“Mad woman of Saltburn” - skating round her home town at 5am when she was first learning.
Finding her “fountain of youth”.
Enjoy! Next up we have our panel ‘Finding the joy’ that we held for Mental Health Awareness Week. Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss out x
