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Lisa Messiter

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I am fundraising in the name of my father, Hans Spolén, who passed away from cancer 4 years ago after a brave fight. I’m also doing it for other loves ones, and everyone out there, who have been touched by this illness.

I love the ocean and I love surfing, however the last few years I have been more out of the water than in due to a series of injuries.  So what better way to get back into the past-time I love so much than to do it for a good cause!! 

Each day in February I'm hitting the water for SurFebruary and raising well needed funds for cancer research at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse.

The reality is that one in two of us will be affected by cancer in our lifetime. That’s a pretty big statistic. The good news is that we can make a tangible impact on how we treat cancer by contributing to innovative cancer research that benefits us all.

It only takes a minute to donate and anything you can give (no matter how big or small) will go a long way to helping people with cancer and their families.

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your support and kindness.

See you in the water! 🏄🏼🙏

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$2,723

My Goal

$700

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My Updates

Final day of SurFebruary!!

Thursday 29th Feb
After a 40degree day, a storm was brewing in the afternoon.0 I didn’t get to go until after work, so I headed out around 6pm. As soon as I paddled out the first lightning started so I caught a couple of waves and then came in. I’ve surfed in lightning before and it is a bit scary… So this was it: final day of fundraising for Chris O’Brien Lifehouse cancer research. It has been such a great experience to be part of this, the daily surfs, although sometimes hard, have built some great habits. I am totally blown away by all your generous donations, thank you so very much everyone!! Together we have so far fundraised more than $2,300! 🙌🙏🙌 Now I can’t wait to have a rest day tomorrow from surfing, but then back out there again on Sunday!! Thank you again all of you legends!!! 😍❤️⭐️🙌🌸👌☀️👍🏄🏽‍♀️🌊

A bit windy…

Wednesday 28th Feb
… but fun late arvo surf at sunset tonight. Believe it or not, but this one-pixel-image is me catching a wave🤣🤣🤣 thank you Vilda for filming!

Bluebottles… second last day!!!

Tuesday 27th Feb
I got up for the early and checked the surf but the ocean was full of ‘Bluebottles’ (sting- jellyfish), more than I have ever seen before. Hundreds! So I thought I’d go after work instead. So at 5.30pm I went down again, covered up in a steamer (and even wearing socks!. The beach was still full of the Bluebottles but I had no choice now, I had to go out. So I went for a quick paddle, but I didn’t want to stay in tmy and long with the risk of being stung. Grey and messy day, hoping that the last day of SurFebruary (tomorrow!!) is beautiful!

The surf was so nice and clean today

Monday 26th Feb
.. and I went out this morning with Liam again, my friend from Sweden’s son. There were quite a few people out at Frenchies for being a Monday morning, a fun and friendly crew of mainly locals.

It was beautiful out there, warm and clear water and despite it being really nice, albeit big lulls between sets, I had a pretty crappy surf (performance wise!). The daily surfs, after not going out much for so long, has caught up on me and I just felt spent. 

I caught a few fun waves, so all in all a good surf, just tired!

As much as I want to keep surfing regularly and MOST days after this challenge ends, I’ll definitely have a rest day on 1st of March! 🤣😴

I went surfing this morning

Sunday 25th Feb
…during ‘boardriders’, which was fun but I tried to stay out of the way of the competitors. Our local boardriders club is so awesome and supportive, such a great little club! Both my kids competed today. So much nicer in the surf today than yesterday arvo; it has cleaned up substantially!

Messy day…

Sunday 25th Feb
Surf was messy today and weather was rainy, grey and average, but the show must go on 😉 And since I have visitors here from Sweden; Li and Vilda (my friend Lillemor’s kids that I met during a ski season in Austria when I was 19!) they came with me to the beach for my daily surf. I didn’t look forward to today’s surf, but Liam tagged along and paddled out with me. I can’t say it was the best surf ever (or the longest! 😆) (no one else out which says something…), but at least that is another surf to tick off during February! ✅ I just realised that we have reached 3 times the amount I originally set as my goal today! 2,100.00 + !! I am simply blown away by all your support for this fundraiser, I am beyond grateful to all of you who have supported this in one way or the other (donation, have gone surfing with me etc). Thank you my friends and family, you guys are just awesome! 🙌🙏 🥰❤️⭐️

Pumping!

Saturday 24th Feb
Oups technical malfunctioning / me being dopey / double post for yesterday. 🤪

Pumping!

Saturday 24th Feb
Yesterday was the best day so far in the challenge by far! Such fun and clean waves so I stayed out for a couple of hours. Half of Caves were out there too! Crystal clear water with incredible visibility, and still so tropical and warm in the water. Perfect!

Dusk patrol..

Thursday 22nd Feb
Late surf today after work and after spending 1/2 hour trying to find my wetsuit… I finally found it: … in the ocean…surfing… with Elva. 🙄🏄🏼 Fun surf til sundown while Sunny was fun-policing the beach.

Surf had picked up a bit today..

Wednesday 21st Feb
So I had a fun surf in the arvo with the groms (they seem to be out there almost every single day too, such keen kids!). I’m starting to feel the effect of surfing every day; I am a stronger paddler than I was before I started this challenge, I’m catching more waves, but I am also pretty exhausted! I’m not used to doing this much excercise after all my injuries and time out of the water. But I am so stoked to be back into it again, SurFebruary and my pledge to surf daily, has been such a great push to get back out there again! Photo credits to Fee who was at the beach having an arvo swim! 📷 🙏

Dusk surf today…

Tuesday 20th Feb
I didn’t get to go earlier than at dusk today. No one else out by that time (7.45pm) and I didn’t stay out for long since it was getting dark. I was only accompanied by a sea eagle/Ospray 🦅 Photo is from Saturday’s surf, thank you redkelpie01 Scott for the films/photos!

Mad thunder and lightning today…⛈⚡️🌩

Monday 19th Feb
So I waited until it was over and went for a surf. The air was a bit chilly and it was raining, but the water was still warm. A massive stingray was ‘surfing’ with us out there. Not a very long surf today, but caught a couple of waves. 🌊 🌊 

Caught a few waves today with my friend Sal

Sunday 18th Feb
quick surf today w Sal, heeps of fun, it’s been ages! 🏄🏽‍♀️ 🏄🏼 We used to go surfing up and down the coast together all the time, but neither of us have been very prolific lately, so it is great being out there again together! Always such a laugh to go surfing with you Sal, and all those ‘micro climates’ we encounter! 😂😆

Day 17 - fun waves today!

Saturday 17th Feb
We started the day at Burubi beach, Ana Bay, where Rio was surfing in a comp, and then home for a super fun surf at the ol’ faithful; Frenchies. The surf had picked up a bit since yesterday and it was the funnest day out there so far in this challenge.

There has been heeps more donations made to the fundraiser in the last few days, I will thank everyone you all individually, but for now: a big thank you to you all for donating your precious funds. I am so very touched by all your support and generosity! 🙌🙏🥰




Surfed with my kids today and an ocean full of groms!

Friday 16th Feb
Fun surf with my kids today 🏄🏽‍♀️🏄🏼‍♂️🏄🏼 warm water, fun waves and a beautiful arvo.

Early surf today

Thursday 15th Feb
Busy day, so had to go for ‘the early’ today. Today’s word of wisdom to self: when ‘blessed’ with a vivid imagination, don’t watch Insta shark-clips last thing before bed and then go surfing by yourself just after dawn 😂.. Special points for those who can spot the wardrobe malfunction in this photo… 😵‍💫🙄 (yes, McCain, I’ve done it again’)

Valentines Day - day 14

Wednesday 14th Feb
A beautiful day and a fun little surf today for my lunch break. Some fun waves and the water is still bath-tub warm. So lush, especially after those big and rough days last week! I saw that a lot more people have donated today - THANK YOU so very much everyone! ❤️🙏❤️ Big or small doesn’t matter, your generosity and support is so very appreciated. I took the opportunity to donate myself today since EVERY DOLLAR IS MATCHED TODAY (up until $40,000), so great day to do it! ❤️🌸🏄🏽‍♀️

I went for a surf with my son…

Tuesday 13th Feb
… today after work and it was heeps of fun; the swell has dropped and is more surfable and the water is warm like a bathtub. I’m so stoked that the wild weather has passed, I didn’t love going out in that! 🙈🤪 (I didn’t post about yesterday but it was also a fun arvo out there too with my daughter! All the groms out there can testify to that I am out there daily 😉)

With the risk of sounding like a broken record…:

Sunday 11th Feb
.. but it is still messy and rippy out there, like all of last week, but I went out for my daily surf as promised. ✅ 

These are days that I traditionally would look at and go ‘no thanks!’ , so going out in this goes against my grain, but I guess it wouldn’t be a challenge unless it was ‘challenging’! 🤣

Either way, I am praying to my Swedish weather god Thor (who my grandma got her name from; Thora!)  for improved weather and wave conditions for the rest of February for all of our sake.
That’s not cheating, is it, to have connections in high up places? 🤷‍♀️😉 

I went out yesterday…

Saturday 10th Feb
But can’t say I accomplished much…
Looking forward to some cleaner conditions next week!

Wardrobe and legrope malfunction…

Thursday 8th Feb
At home with sick child today so I thought I’d dash off for a quick surf at Frenchies to fulfil my daily quota. In my haste, you would forgive me for making these two mistakes: - getting my leggie stuck on a submerged rock just as a set breaks on you; wave sucks out; leggie pulls in.. 😬 - for putting my springie on inside out (AGAIN). (See incriminating photographic evidence) 🙄

Summer: you can come back now!

Wednesday 7th Feb
A day of wind, rain, and chop, but luckily two keen teenagers joined me and amped up the mood (Elva and Kyla)! 
Not a soul out in the ocean apart from us and almost no one on the beach either, most people seem to be inside staying dry. 
Good call I say! 🤪🤣

A bit windy…

Tuesday 6th Feb
After work and cooking dinner I squeezed in my surf, around 7pm today. Only some groms out further down the beach, otherwise just my trusted friend Sunny (the dog) who came with me to the beach for moral support and for some zoomies! 🤣

Quick surf today, I’ll try to get in for the early instead tomorrow, hopefully the wind drops a bit by then.

Hot and humid the air - freezing in the water: what happened to the bath-tub-like water from this summer!?

Monday 5th Feb
I went for a surf with Elva and her friends today after work. Back at Frenchies now after our trip to Sydney on the weekend. After a super hot and muggy day foday the water felt practically arctic; I reckon the temp had dropped by 5-6 degrees in a day! 🥶 Super nice and refreshing though and a fun surf! 😉🌊 (Photo credits to Fee - thank you!)

Day 4

Sunday 4th Feb
It is incredible what difference a day can make, the swell had dropped off substantially this morning, so North Maroubra was totally surfable today. 
Fun little surf before it was time to go home to Caves again. Quick but fun visit to Sydney, and good to check out my old ‘stomping grounds’ (when I used to live in Sydney) and good to catch up with family and friends while keeping the daily surf up!
🌊🏄🏼🥰

I saw that some more friends had supported my pledge and this great cause this weekend! Thank you so much everyone who has supported me thus far! 🙏❤️🙏

Big and messy..

Sunday 4th Feb
It is massive and messy everywhere at the moment and I am in Sydney for the weekend, so to go out (without risking my life😬) I went to South Maroubra where it was more protected than everywhere else. It is challenging to go out everyday when the surf is big and a bit intimidating, but luckily S. Maroubra was a good size and I ended up having a fun surf! I’ll be back there in the morning to ‘rinse, repleat’. 😉

Day 2

Friday 2nd Feb
Not that inviting out there today; big, messy and rippy, but a pledge is a pledge! 😅
 I paddled out, caught a few and went in, not my longest surf but at least I did it. No one else out (for a good reason! 🤣)

It is actually good to be forced to do this, since it really creates good habits; to just get out there no matter what it looks like! 



… and we’re off!! (Day one of SurFebruary)

Thursday 1st Feb
After work today my daughter Elva joined me for my first surf of SurFebruary, which was great. I love surfing with my kids (much more than they love surfing with me 🤣). It wasn’t my best ever surf, but I’m now officially up and running for SurFebruary! 🙌 A massive ‘thank you’ to all of you who have already donated so generously, from all the way from Sweden, the UK and the US to Australia, Newcastle and Caves Beach. Thank you so much for supporting me in this, it means the world to me!! 🥰🌊🏄🏼🙌❤️🙏

Thank you to my Sponsors

$120

Daniel & Christina

Donation from brother and mother. 2 dollars per day plus 2 dollars for effort.

$104.40

Sita And Graham

Great cause Lisa and the daily surf is a bonus!

$104.40

Associazione S. Sebastiano

$104.40

Tim Bales

Those that can, do. Those that can’t, donate

$52.20

Krystie Richards

Awesome stuff Lisa you go Girl….

$52.20

Emma Roborgh

$52.20

Associazione S. Sebastiano

$52.20

Steve Paras

Well done Lisa. Great cause

$52.20

J

Great effort! Keep being awesome!

$52.20

Barbara Lindell

Great cause, Lisa and you are very kind to do this - for your Dad and for others. I lost my youngest sister, Linda, to cancer. She was a beautiful soul.

$52.20

Anonymous

You go girl!!

$52.20

Leanne Smith

Well done Lisa! Your Dad would be so proud of you ❤️ So many families have been touched by cancer in some way. Good on you for taking on this challenge and raising valuable funds for a terrific course. Lots of love 🥰

$52.20

Associazione S. Sebastiano

$52.20

Jo Casselden

Amazing Lisa 🥰

$52.20

Ulrika Sandberg

$52.20

Debbie Walters

Hi Lisa, Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner but I had a fall at the beach (just after meeting you), split my arm open and ended up in John Hunter hospital for surgery. I’m actually still here. Anyway, huge congrats on your challenge. Great effort for a great cause. Hope this little donation helps. Deb

$52.20

Linda

Love your spirit Lisa ❣️

$52.20

Susanna Morrison

I’ve followed yore surf Feb and you are so inspiring. Well done, you are awesome! Great cause close to my heart too xx

$52.20

Jan Tylestedt

Grymt vilket fint engagemang och vilket heroisk jobb du har lagt ned. Din pappa måste vara/skulle varit superstolt. Cancer är något som drabbar oss alla på ett eller annat sätt men få gör något åt det. Massor av cred till dig Lisa ❤️.

$52.20

Frida Carswell

$52.20

Ann Winter

Amazing work , Lisa . Thank you ❤️

$52.20

Rosemary Johns

$50

Renaye Valaire

Thank you Lisa for your generous commitment and desire to help our researchers , medical specialists and community to investigate causes and treatment for this horrid disease.

$50

Associazione S. Sebastiano

$50

Daphnie Lobban

Great cause. Well done Lisa!

$50

Associazione S. Sebastiano

$50

Greg And Clare Messiter

Good on you Lisa!!! You did it!

$50

Helen Taylor

Go girl! Such a great cause. I never knew your dad but I'll put my last dollar on the fact he'd be super proud of you and your achievement 💛

$49.31

Pete Field

$26.10

Amera Eid

Amazing and inspiring Lisa , and for a great cause !

$26.10

Sarah Dale

A hard challenge but a great cause. Well done Lisa. Happy to spot for you at any time xxx

$26.10

Associazione S. Sebastiano

$26.10

Kajsa

Amazing work Lisa!!

$26.10

Marc Napoli

This is so cool Lisa. ❤️. I am just beyond the beginner stage myself and trying to get out a lot more as well. If you are in Sydney and want a surf buddy give me a yell! Sue by the way xxx

$26.10

Associazione S. Sebastiano

$26.10

Kalleman

Surf’s up Lajsa for the good cause! 😀

$26.10

Associazione S. Sebastiano

$26.10

Hilda

I just scraped in! Well done my friend, so proud of you 💙💙

$26.10

Lynda Williams

You are a gem Lisa! xx Love that you are raising money for a worthy cause and what an awesome way to do it. 🌊💜

$26.10

Associazione S. Sebastiano

$26.10

Nicole Lindell

Go cousin, go!

$26.10

Richard E

$26.10

David Messiter

$26.10

Nicole Owend

$26.10

Lillemor Falk

Go Lisa

$26.10

Kerin

$26.10

Erin & Stretchy

Well done honey! Such a great cause ❤️ Absolute legend xx

$26.10

Kazi

Yay Lisa!!!

$26.10

Team Hunton

Big effort surfing everyday for the month. Especially surfing lefts and during micro climates. The Hunton clan is very proud of you

$26.10

Dominique Lang

Dream girl ⭐️!

$26.10

Anna Jamison

$26.10

Associazione S. Sebastiano

$26.10

Captain Cuttsnake

Bra jobbat kompis 👏💪🤙

$25

Alicja Burrows

$25

John O Lindell

$25

Sarah And Michael Mcdonell

Go gorgeous girl 🏄‍♀️ Cancer took both my mum and dad what you are doing is fabulous! Lots of love Sarah ❤️

$25

Associazione S. Sebastiano

$25

Jen

Dearest Lisa my crazy funster well done!!!! I love your passion and your very kind heart. Be proud of yourself for such a great effort. Sending lots love Jen and Andrew x x

$21.80

Louisa Wagner

Get some great waves 🌊 dear Lisa for such a wonderful cause 🤍

$20.88

Cat Wake

$20.88

Juliet

$20.88

Mary Lindell Marquis

$20

Lisa Messiter

Thank you everyone who is supporting me in this fundraiser for cancer research, I appreciate it so much!! You guys are awesome!! 🙌🙌❤️❤️🙏🙏

$20

Associazione S. Sebastiano

$18.79

Richard W

Hoping the mat hed going for Valentines makes this reach your goal!

$18.79

Associazione S. Sebastiano

$15.66

Deanne Newland

$10.44

Anonymous

$10.44

Susanne Johansson

😘

$10.44

Emily Turnbull

You rock Lisa 🤙🏼

$10.44

Laura And Doug Steeart

Great job Lisa!

$10

Elva

For my morfar Hans and for cancer research. ❤️

$10

Associazione S. Sebastiano

$5.22

Fiona Renes

$5.22

Associazione S. Sebastiano