Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Australian surf star Isabella Nichols will have her helmet and impact vest ready to go as she braces for some of the biggest, scariest and most beautiful waves of her life.
The Fiji Pro was on hold again on Tuesday, but massive swell – potentially producing waves in the 10-foot region – is forecast for Cloudbreak over the coming days as stop No.8 on the WSL tour wraps up.
Nichols is already into the quarter-finals, with the 28-year-old to face Portugal’s Yolanda Hopkins as she attempts to climb up the rankings from her current live position of ninth.
Whatever happens over the coming days it’s set to be spectacular, and Nichols will have her full safety gear on hand if the waves live up to the forecast.
“From all reports it sounds like it’s going to be pretty perfect Cloudbreak … it sounds like it’s going to be maxing,” Nichols said.
“I think it’s going to be some of the best waves that we’ve had on tour this year. It’ll be really cool to see the girls push themselves.
“Every time the women get put in waves like this someone steps up, so it’s really good for the sport and for female surfing.”
Nichols has borrowed an impact vest in case she needs it.
“If you hit the water really hard … it feels like concrete if you’re wearing a normal wetsuit,” Nichols said.
“But if you have that extra level of padding (with the vest), then it adds a little bit of a barrier for your body.
“If I need my helmet, it’ll be going on. If I need my my vest, then it will be there.”
Nichols said having the safety gear plus all the water support staff meant she felt confident in being able to tackle waves she may have otherwise felt timid on.
“For me, surfing big waves over reef has always been something that has scared me,” Nichols said.
“And so having the vest available kind of just adds a level of comfort, knowing that it’s in my bag on the boat in case I need it.”
Nichols’ breath work in shallow pools – where she holds her breath for an extended period of time – may also come in handy.
“I feel like having the knowledge that you’re capable of holding your breath for longer than what a wipeout actually is, there’s a deep part of you that finds a level of comfort in that because you know that you’re not going to be at risk of drowning,” she said.
Nichols has never achieved a perfect 10-point ride on a Championship Tour event – something that could change over the coming days.
“I saw a crazy stat that Cloudbreak has produced the most 10-point rides in competitive surfing,” Nichols said.
“We’ve already had Erin Brooks’ 10 the other day, which was mind blowing, and I dare say it’s going to be at least twice the size of that tomorrow, so it should be an amazing day of contest.”
