emma cobb

FROST ON COBB

Emma Cobb reckons we first met at the state titles at Avalon, I have no recollection of this, but I do remember meeting Cobb at Boomerang Beach on the mid north coast of New South Wales at what seems like a life time ago.

I had been on the Australasian Tour for a little while and was intrigued when this little girl from the South Coast of Ulladulla rocked up with her curly mop of hair. Shy and polite, She introduced herself as Emma.

I remember that comp, the surf was big and messy, there was a shark looming out the back, and that girl Emma Cobb, she kicked my arse. I soon came to realise this girl ripped.

I became pretty close with Cobb straight away,we just clicked. She’s one of those people who you just want to hang with, as annoying as she can be with her excited out bursts, i know i have a friend for life.

How can i best describe Cobb.

The first thing that comes to mind is she works hard. When she is not training and competing on her boog, you will find her killing it on the soccer field, she plays grade soccer and excels in that as well, picking up many player of the year awards.

When she is not doing those two things you will find her working and managing at the local surf store Natural Necessity at Gerringong, saving away and planning for her next journey.

She is a ball of energy and when she’s on, her outbursts are hilarious. I know she puts a lot of pressure on herself to do well, and it shows in everything she commits herself too.

Shes a real mate, no matter how much time goes by, you know she is always going to have your back and i think that’s a rare quality these days.

She come to stay with me again for a second comp. Cobb was a chef at this time and a good one, she had excelled in her apprenticeship and was working at a great restaraunt near her home town in Ulladulla. I was pumped, i gave her a bed and in my mine i fantasized she would return the favour by cooking me tasty delights! Yep, my first meal was two minute noodles with pasta sauce – i couldn’t help but laugh. I learn’t another thing about Cobb on this occasion, and she will probably try to deny this, but she is the worst morning person ever. We had planned to go for the early before the comp started. I heard the alarm signal it was time to get moving. Instead i get this phone call, she actually phoned me from the lounge room floor asking for another 30 minutes sleep.

Remember those kids at school that were just good at everything? Well that’s Cobb.

Emma quickly became a standout on the Australasian Tour and was quickly deemed one of the best in Australia. She had also secretly became my idol. Cobb doesn’t ride like a girl. This is a complete compliment! The way she flicks her inverts and holds her style, she would make most boys jealous.

Cobb and i attended the Elite Training camp together at the Casuarina High performance centre, and that was just the start of many of our travels together.

Probably the most memorable trip we had been in 2008. A few Aussie girls, Cobb and myself set out to spend three months travelling around the world together and competing on the world tour. Our first stop was the Philippines. We got stuck with tragedy. I had come off a motorbike and was in a bad way. Cobb without hesitation held my skin together and told me it wasn’t good, but i was going to be ok. She has this ability to make me feel safe. There has been many times when she has held me together,pushing me past mental limitations. This alone shows just how strong our bond is.

Cobb like anyone has had some tough times and i have watched her face her own demons. Beneath the strength, on the rare occasion you can see the pain. But she is tough, pushed trough. As with her life always pushing her own limitations, both mental and physical.

This year we got talking about where our lives were heading. We had both taken some much needed time out from the Tour and competing. But once again found ourselves drawn to the life we are most happiest in. Life on our boogs, chasing waves, competing and the adventure of it all.

DOB: 15.4.1985  (Yep a crazy Aries)

AGE: 27

FROM:  Originally Ulladulla, but now living in Gerringong.

 

A little about me: 

I grew up in a small town called Milton on a small hobby farm.I spent my grommet years riding ponies, yep a horsie family! But i loved it. I spent my high school years at Hurlstone Agriculture in sydney, a boarding school. I was a  bad ass and mum couldn’t handle me anymore, lol kidding it was just a better school than what we had on the coast. i loved it.

I returned home halfway through year 11 to complete my final year at a local school. After my HSC i begun my cheffing apprenticeship, I finished that four years later and went on to work as a head and sous chef for four years.

I begun bodyboarding when i arrived home from boarding school. I just wanted to be out hanging with my brother and dad, such a tom boy. I was lucky to have good bosses whilst i was studying and working that let me travel a lot and compete on the Aussie and a little of the world tour. Cheffing isn’t the kindest job in the world. Theres a lot of pressure in a kitchen and the hours aren’t social life friendly!!

I broke my ankle playing soccer in 2010 which forced me to have a little time off from the kitchen. As bad an injury it was, it was nice to have a break. From this i decided i wanted a change. I managed to land a job at Natural Necessity surf shop in Gerringong and after two months i took on the management and buying role, and have been there for two years now! I live on the beach and have a pretty cool little simple life. I’ve played soccer at many levels all my life and still love the game but it has taken a toll on the body. My next plan is to become a firefighter, (to help save cats from trees and things) once i settle with the traveling.

 

How do you stay fit and healthy? 

I try to stay active as much as possible. I’m not someone that can sit still for very long. I believe you have plenty of time to do that when your old and ruined

At the moment I am training for Hawaii. Prior to a comp i try and put as much time as i can either in the water or in the gym. I will either surf, do lap training or gym before work,then the same after. Its easier with daylight savings in the summer i can spend most Afternoons after work in the surf then head to the gym later at night. If I am not training for a comp I’m usually training for soccer, i have a few lingering injuries so i need to try and stay as strong as possible to help support some worn joints. Healthy is another story. I eat EVERYTHING literally in moderation. 80% healthy 20% not, and when I’m training i eat like a horse! I eat a meal almost every hour. I have a very fast metabolism which is good when I’m not training but crazy when I am.

 

Whats a motto you live by? 

While you can, do it..

 

Whats the best thing about being an Australian girl Bodyboarder?

I Guess you could say we are our own little gang. There is only a handful of us so its kinda cool to have like a mini family of sisters i guess you could say.

 

What your best Australian Tour memory? 

I don’t know if i could pinpoint one good memory from the Aussie tour, we’ve had way to many to remember, but id have to say any contest we have had on the gold coast. They always end in a pretty good way, or for some of us a bad forgetful way.

 

Your Best Australian Tour Trip?

I’ve enjoyed every Aussie comp I have been to. I cant really put it down to one! They all have equally good memories.

 

Why should other girls do this? 

Its a pretty easy and safe way to start out if you want to enjoy the ocean. We are a cool little community that always, no matter what, have a good time.

 

Sponsors?

Nomad, Natural Necessity Surf Shop, Gerringong hardware, Inner Figure.

 

What would be the best way to describe your friendships with the girls on tour? 

We’re all pretty close, mainly because there aren’t many of us and we have spent a lot of time traveling together. Always good times and the junk we come up with is hard not to like this crew.

 

If you could offer one piece of advice what would it be?

Just be yourself..And stay loyal. Never turn your back on the ocean,because the sea hates a coward..

Comp Results

Encanto Portorico WWT 2012 – 5th place

Kiama Pro 2012 – 2nd place

Pipe Pro Trials 2012 – 1st place

Pipe Pro 2012 – 9th place

El Confital, Grande Canaria 2009 – 5th place