Meet Jenny, owner and lead physiotherapist at The Physio Room Raglan, a local clinic with a team of six dedicated physios.
When she’s not helping clients recover and stay active, Jenny’s out in the waves or volunteering with the Raglan Coastguard. A proud mum of two boys at Raglan Area School, she brings the same energy and care to her community as she does to her practice.
How long have you been surfing and how did you get hooked?
I have been surfing for 31 years. I actually began at the very humble west coast beaches of Palmerston North (Himitangi and Foxton). I swallowed a lot of water and vomited the first time I went surfing, but I stood up and I was hooked. I love being in the ocean and I love the feeling of almost flying when you’re on a wave. You choose where to draw your lines on the wave with your board and there are so many infinite ways to do it.
What benefits does surfing offer you in your daily life?
It’s obviously a good workout, but being in nature (one so beautiful as Raglan) is calming and destressing. It’s also a great place to chat to friends. I get to be Jenny the Surfer, rather than, Jenny the Physio for that time in the water.
How does your knowledge of surfing help in your physio practice?
Living in Raglan, I treat a lot of surfers, so it really helps to be able to fine tune paddling techniques, pop up techniques and understand the dynamics of the sport when you are a surfer yourself. You can advise on treatment and understand the mechanisms of getting injured.
How did you get involved in Coastguard and what experience helped with being a good candidate?
I was treating a patient who is in Coastguard who said they were looking for new members with medical experience. I knew I didn’t exactly fit the bill, especially as I can sometimes get sea sick, but I had always been interested in joining Coastguard. It is an amazing group of volunteers who give so much time to the community… there are also incredible skills such as marine repair knowledge, and science search and rescue knowledge. I am honoured to be a member and sometimes feel like a bit of a fraud there. The best assets I can offer the team are free physiotherapy for the volunteers and my jet ski driving and wave knowledge.
Is surfing a family affair ?
I wish. My boys are summer beach surfers only… perhaps they will take on Raglan’s rocky points in the future.
Do you have a women’s surfing community and what do you value about the shared experience?
There are a couple of local women surfing groups but I mainly surf with my female friends, in an unofficial group. Women’s surfing has progressed tremendously since I started surfing. So often, I was the only female in the line up but now us lasses sometimes out- number the guys. It’s great to see the younger generations really pushing our potential.
Describe the perfect surfing trip at this stage of life?
Well, I’m the oldest I’ve ever been, and I’ve tried to tick off a lot of my bucket list in the last few years, worried that I may be too old to take on some of those intimidating waves, but the perfect surf trip is still one that challenges me with big waves, gets the adrenaline pumping, in beautiful, warm water… with a beautiful sunset to watch at the end of the day and a great group of friends to share it with.
