Surf, Strength & Self-Trust - Elise Trigger’s Story

Some of us grow up with the ocean as a holiday fling, visiting when the sun’s out and time allows. For others, like Elise, it’s always been more like family.

Raised just minutes from the beach, the tide was her neighbour, her teacher, her reminder that nothing stays the same for long. Elise speaks about the sea the way some people talk about their childhood home – with reverence, humour, and a deep knowing. The castles it knocked down, the power that once scared her, the lessons in humility – they all shaped her before she even knew it. 

These days, you’ll still find her out there most mornings, salt in her hair, board under arm. Surfing is no longer just a sport, but a ritual – a way of saying thank you, of remembering what really matters.

You speak about the ocean like it raised you - what’s your first memory of it truly teaching you something?

My childhood home was above the beach- just two minutes away, we would spend everyday there & I didn’t know any different. Looking back I’m SO grateful to literally have the ocean as my backyard. My first memories of it probably just include learning about it’s interchangabily.. Whether that be it sweeping away our dribbly castles, the dams we built also being humbled by it continuously. I used to be quite scared of it - it being so powerful and all. It wasn’t until I was 14 that I actually was brave enough to try surfing properly.

You’re out there surfing almost every day - what does that kind of routine give you, especially mentally?

It gives me the moments to appreciate life, I heard someone once say surfing is like going to church for them- where you give thanks and gratitude to life- I definitely relate to that. I guess surfing for me is less about manoeuvres or a ‘sport’ but more a ritual/ ceremony for me but honestly my reason for doing it + the benefits I get change everyday that’s what I love about it.

How has living with type 1 diabetes changed or shaped your relationship with your body?

It’s changed everything. I look around and see people my age destroying their bodies in so many different ways. It’s crazy how much  loosing function of 1 organ can change everything. It’s also made me in awe of what the human body does and be grateful for everything working, the opportunity to breathe, play, move, smile is more than a blessing that we often take for granted when we get caught up in appearance.

You mentioned sewing glucose pockets into your swimsuits - that’s such a powerful blend of practicality and self-trust. Where did that idea come from?

I never wanted diabetes to be something that dictated my life (what I do or wear) I guess that’s where that idea came from. Life happens to us and we just do what we can to adapt how we can in our best way.

What’s something you wish more people understood about invisible illnesses or navigating life with a medical device?

I wish they knew how much work goes on behind closed doors, type 1 for instance is 24/7 and sometimes it takes triple the effort just to do or live ‘normally’. I wish people would be more sensitive towards people with invisible illnesses, It feels like people often have a hard time comprehending things that can’t always be (physically) seen are still real and challenging just because they aren’t always reminded.

What does self-care look like for you beyond skincare -  is it rest, movement, boundaries?

Self care to me is listening to my body and that inner voice (when to push and when to not) The older I get the more I feel connected to that, it’s importance as well as all the different stages we have to embrace. Sometimes self care for me includes pep talking myself to push & do uncomfortable thing and other times it’s slowing down and not feeling guilty to say no.

If you could bottle up one feeling from the surf and carry it with you all day, what would it be?

Gratitude and living/feeling in harmony with my surroundings (as cliche or hippy as it may sound). It seems like we all run around trying to make & put this big pressure/ purpose on our life. I think there’s so much beauty in just being. Being part of an eco system is enough. Most of the beautiful feelings and moments for me in the ocean align when I embrace that, that feeling of being in tune & working with nature not the oppose of it, it just makes me feel content and a deeper validity of existence.

What would you say to younger girls just starting out - in surfing, or in life -  who are still finding their confidence? 

Be brave, be bold, try new things.  Listen to your intuition, knowing yourself is one of your biggest powers you get to carry. Don’t be shy to try new things & learn  new skills, don’t worry about being a beginner. Getting humbled is a part important part of life, you need to learn to laugh at yourself if you want to enjoy life. Things will get easier, the older you get the more confident you’ll become in who you are, your values and backing yourself as you learn and grown discovering what you don’t like is also a form of that discovery.

What’s one piece of advice you live by, even when life gets messy?

I think just remembering we all are going through our own journey in our own way. There’s a lot out of our control but the few things we can control such as our attitude, who we surround ourselves with and what we can give to others (even if that just be a smile) can be more powerful than you know.