Ella Williams hung at Piha last week. Well, she wasn't hanging out. The Olympian surfer is on a mission, as you'd expect. She was on a pretty hefty training programme prior to being confirmed. Now her Olympic spot is confirmed she's gone to a whole new level. It's all the stuff you want to hear and see, an athlete leaving no stone unturned; sport phycology, gym training, breathing training... training then more training.
Piha's very own and unique Dave Wood was tasked with assisting Ella with Iron Sand Training, Mindset and Breathing. Woody is a guru, his passion for well being and health has lead to his young business Woody's Movement Workshop firing. He's working with our elite surfers, tri athletes and UFC fighters...guys like Israel Adesanya.
I've known the Williams family for a long time, I don't even wanna say how long... but this gives you an idea.
It's a trip to think a somewhat random photo opp from the '90's now has a different weight on it. Who could've foretold that cheeky 7 year old at Ruapuke would be representing New Zealand for surfing in the Olympics.
Back to last week. Woody put Ella through her paces, in fact prior he'd stated he was going to push her past her limits. Half way through he recanted; 'She's a machine man! She's got the fire inside for sure.'
Any involvement from me was the fun stuff, surfing and shooting together. Remincing with Ella and her Mum Janine over caffeine fixes and solving the world's problems. Sexism, addiction, fallen friends and real estate, you know, just casual conversation.
