Lilly Pollard in Puerto Rico competition Times, one of her favourite places.
Big waves and Lilly Pollard go hand in hand. Lilly has made a name for herself as a Womens Big Wave charger, sitting comfortable in heavy lineups like Pipeline, Indies, Red Sands and many other secret South Coast Slabs. She has now managed to find the support to spend her second year, full time on the IBA WWT and have a crack at being crowned an IBA Womens World Tour Champion.
The IBA caught up with her over a light snack in Mar Bar, Praia Grande, Sintra.
IBA: How is your passport holding up these days? Your Bodyboard has taken to how many countries?
Lilly: Hahaha, yeah my Passport has had a good workout over the years. I think I have been to 21 countries so far, most to search for waves with a bodyboard. And no I don’t count airport stopovers as a country visited. that’s cheating!! ha.
IBA: How good is it traveling around on the IBA WWT?
Lilly: Mate, I love it! So many great people in bodybarding, so many fun times. It’s an amazing excuse to see the World, I especially love it when new events appear on Tour.
IBA: What is your technique for packing your bags? Folding or stuffing?
Lilly: Haha usually stuffing cause I always leave things until the last minute. This last trip I only started packing a few hours before I had to leave! haha
IBA: What would be your essential travel accessory?
Lilly: A good book for planes and down-time. I am currently re-reading “Jessica” by Bryce Courtney.
IBA: You must have so many travels stories what would be the first funniest one the springs into mind?
Lilly: Hahaha omg so many wierd ones. G-Land trip from many years ago is a funny/awkward one I like to tell some people, it involves a rat eating something it shouldn’t have and ultimately a visit to the doctors…
IBA: What would be your favourite location on Tour?
Lilly: Ohhhh I always love Pipeline. Nothing beats that wave, I’m just hoping we can get some luck for pumping waves for the women next time! And Puerto Rico, it’s just an incredible country, probably top of my list of places I recommend
visiting, great people, waves and beauty.
IBA: Tell us a little about your start to the IBA WWT so far?
Lilly: For me I haven’t had the ideal start at the first two events. While I feel like Im surfing pretty good I’ve just had a bit of bad luck during both my semi finals at Pipe and Chile. I’m still in fourth, so I’m in a pretty good position, I’m just hoping things go my way in the next few events.
IBA: Thank you so much for your time Lilly and good luck with the rest of the year. Is there anything else you would like to say?
Lilly: I would just like to give a massive thanks to my family and friends and also to everyone for the facebook/instagram love! I really get so stoked and humbled by the support from everyone. Also big thanks to the guys and girls at Flipmode Clothing, Hive Swimwear and Zion Wetsuits for supplying my essentials. And to all the great people at my work in the IGA Gerringong, especially to the bosses for giving me the flexibility I need to travel. I really feel so blessed with my life!
Lilly, sitting comfortable in a slabbing pit. photo Alex Gibson
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