Danielle Zirk

Surfing 5 months at Vland. I have created a comprehensive guide documenting my journey through pregnancy by trimester, which you can find in the forum  "Surfing Through Pregnancy." The guide includes my experiences during both the first and second pregnancies. I am thrilled to share this with the world, as I believe it is much needed. While I may not be a professional surfer, I have been a professional athlete throughout my life and have gained valuable experience that I hope will help other women like myself who are navigating pregnancy on their own. Many women have taken on the challenge of continuing in sports during their pregnancy and motherhood before me. However, this has often been left out of the narrative. I believe that motherhood alone is very intimidating, and the lack of support for mothers in sports has caused talented female athletes to shy away from having children or be shamed for wanting more than just motherhood. I was surprised to find that there were very few stories about mothers surfing through pregnancy when I searched on Google. So for the moms out there, this is for you. You are not alone anymore. Love, Danielle

Two children, countless perfect waves, and a hui of people who supported my wild living.

I am not a doctor, and none of the information on this site is intended to be medical advice. If you choose to engage in sports during pregnancy, you should consult your doctor and rely on your own intuition. Doctors will usually advise against surfing while pregnant, but the decision is ultimately up to you and your ability to use your intuition fully. I am now six months pregnant and have been experiencing extreme morning sickness. I throw up four to six times a day. Waking up is always a blessing, but during the first two trimesters, it was also a nightmare. I would wake up needing to pee, and before I could make it to the bathroom, I would start throwing up. So, as the law of having to pee and throwing up, it waits for no one. My morning routine became racing to the toilet, where I had to choose which end to put first. What ended up happening was throwing up and peeing myself every morning. I figured out a way to coexist with this sickness, but it was hard. During my second trimester, I felt sick, unmotivated, and unattractive. I didn't feel like I could keep myself clean, even after taking four showers a day. However, I did discover some things that helped me feel better. MORNING SICKNESS. BARFING. PEEING. CRYING. Morning sickness is no joke, and it doesn't just last through the morning. It's all day, all night, all moments of living. It seriously affects your quality of life. It's so depressing and yucky, and leaves you feeling like a drained monster. Something that happens when you want to continue working out and surfing during a sickness is dehydration and poor nutrition, which are both dangerous during pregnancy. I did a lot of research during this time and found something I wish I had found sooner. Meet the number one protein shake specifically formulated by a doctor for pregnant and breastfeeding moms. MPower is the quickest (and tastiest) way for mothers to get their protein & prenatal multi-vitamin requirement & control weight gain! It was made by a fit athletic mother Michelle Marie who also has fitness programs called "My Fit Pregnancy" With This All In One Nutritional Shake To Support Your Hormones, Cravings, And Help Promote Your Appetite, The Quick & Easy Way! MPower has the perfect ratio of protein to carbs to help mom get the right amount of protein for the increased demands from baby along with the perfect low amount of carbs to keep mom energized and crush cravings by controlling blood sugar.  mPower has medical grade prebiotics, probiotics and digestive enzymes which makes this incredibly easy to digest and good for the gut. This medical grade, doctor formulated whey protein is also cold pressed and has no heavy metals in it. • Meal Replacement • Medical Grade Multi-Vitamin • May Reduce Nausea • May Increase Energy • Curbs Hunger • Crushes Cravings • No Bloating • Safe For Breastfeeding • Ridiculously Easy To Mix • No Artificial Flavors or Sweeteners • No Chalky Taste • No After Taste   While mPower is perfect for pregnant and breastfeeding moms, any woman can take it.  The multi-vitamin in it and extra clean ingredients makes this not just a protein shake but a powerful supplement for any woman. I'm not affiliated with this product in any way, but I'm happy to share it with you. It's a medical-grade nutritional shake that's specially formulated for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. It's the perfect ratio of protein to carbs, and it contains prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. I started drinking it as soon as I found out I was pregnant, and it stopped my nausea and vomiting almost immediately. I believe that not getting enough protein makes pregnant women really sick. Other things I found to really help me is a glass of lemon water during work outs. Chewing a mint gum while surfing, and ginger chews that my friend Kamri turned me on to. I'm also found a good quality nut bread that can fulfill your hunger but not trigger your morning sickness! That and MPower shake has been a game changer for all pregnant moms, postpartum moms, and all women! It's so helpful, and it's made with high-quality ingredients. Not to mention, my hair is growing more than ever!!!!!!!! Take a look here. ICEBATH HEAVEN: I finally got an ice bath, and it turns out it's good for pregnancy! I did my research, and I'm not a doctor, so this is not medical advice. But I'm finding it really helpful. I have back pain after surfing, especially in my lower lumbar region. I think it's because I'm constantly carrying my 40-pound three-year-old. I'm finding ice baths really helpful for my back pain. I think it's because I'm constantly carrying my 40-pound three-year-old. I love him and want to hold him, but it's getting harder and harder. The moment I started taking ice baths, my back pain drastically improved. Ice baths are good for circulation, which helps with a lot of things. I don't think ice baths are something you should just start doing when you find out you're pregnant, but they can help. I have heart palpitations with this pregnancy, so I go slow. I start with just my lower back and legs for two minutes, and then put my body in for 30 seconds. My instincts tell me that's the best thing to do, and it's working great for me. I've even noticed that the cellulite in my legs and butt is going away! Here are the articles I found when I was researching the safety of ice baths during pregnancy. Please consult with your doctor before starting ice baths. https://www.morozkoforge.com/post/cold-plunge-pregnant https://coldture.com/en-us/blogs/news/taking-an-ice-bath-while-pregnant-potential-benefits-and-precautions? https://www.team-bump.com/welcome-blog-articles/benefits-and-risks-of-ice-baths-during-pregnancy INTERUPTED WORKOUTS: As hard as it was for me to get my butt to work out, it was even harder to follow through. I made myself work out everyday no matter how I was feeling. Working out releases endorphins that actually ease nausea. But for the first 10 minutes and actually all the way through, other then Imua wanting my attention, I threw up at least twice before completing my work out. However hard it was, I am so proud that I never gave up. I cried, I peed, I barfed, I was depressed, but I F*CKING did it! THE ONLY WAY I did it, was by listening to my body and wanting to be the best versions of myself for myself, my partner, my son and my daughter! I am very serious about my fitness and my body, but I am also very in tune with my body and spirit. I have not had an alcoholic drink, smoke, or anything other than natural substances for most of my life. I did have one year of acting out, but it got me into trouble that put me on the straight and narrow. I am so sensitive to chemicals that I can feel them moving through my body even when I take something as small as Tylenol! Working out while pregnant is a challenge. Not all bodies and pregnancies are the same, and you should never feel pressured to do more than you're comfortable with. If you're battling laziness, you need to push through it, but if you feel you or your baby are in danger, you should stop immediately. Safety and health are always the top priority. I was so sick that I was afraid to surf or drive. I was worried that I would start throwing up uncontrollably and not be able to stop. This type of vomiting was hard, heaving, and uncontrollable. It didn't care where or what I was doing. Luckily, it was summertime and there weren't many waves, so I just waited it out. Eventually, I was only throwing up in the mornings and battling nausea all day, so I was able to get back to surfing and driving. STRANGE SEX DRIVE: We all love making love, but during my first pregnancy, I just couldn't get enough. Poor Shayden was like "ARE YOU KIDDING ME, AGAIN!!!!!!!??????" Maybe it was the boy making hormone? Second time around, the though of sex at times would make me want to throw up. Then there were times I felt like ripping Shayden's clothes off in broad day light. It was really strange to me. I found that working out helped me feel more sexual and more like myself. It also helped me make better decisions. On days that I didn't work out, I felt out of control, hideous, and sad. I also felt like my life was passing me by. The danger of athletic motherhood for me was my mindset and how easy it was for me to get down on my looks, especially as a surfer on the North Shore of Oahu, where every woman is a supermodel. That's something God is asking me to get over, so I'm accepting that I'm perfect as is! Being with a professional surfer is even harder because while his life pretty much stays the same and he can surf, and do the things you love, but when the waves come, you're left out. Feeling left out of the things that set my soul on fire is like my kryptonite. But I am learning that motherhood give you rewards, like a beautiful child to place love where you "missed out". But this can sometimes lead to being resentful and not feeling sexually loving about your partner. You almost feel betrayed almost. It is not their fault and fairness is an illusion you have to let go of. Motherhood is a loving compromise. I feel terrible that my comment sex (that the sound of it made me want to throw up) may have made Shayden feel rejected. I know it was insensitive of me to say something like that, but my morning sickness was so hard that it's was the truth. On the other hand, knew he understood why I was feeling the way I was. Sexual pressure during pregnancy is hard, it can be sad, but communicating to your partner how important a good work out is to your sex drive, or just talking about your feeling in general is a great way to offset all the things. SOCIETY DISAPPROVAL: I wrote about this in a previous post, but it bears repeating. The disapproval of society for pregnant athletics might never go away. We can't control that, but we can do what's right for us and move forward in a way that makes us happy and doesn't hurt anyone. I suggest viewing this part of motherhood as character building. BACK PAIN: I have been suffering from lower lumbar pain. It comes and goes, but when it hits, it is excruciating! I can only sleep on my side, which makes it difficult to get comfortable. Fortunately, ice baths have relieved the pain. I was icing the affected area with a bag of ice, but I recently learned that icing the entire lower half of my body is more effective. I am happy to report that I am pain-free! MIND GAMES: It's going to get harder, but you can do it! It will become harder to tell the difference between what your mind is telling you and what your heart is telling you. Your mind will find every possible reason to keep you out of the water, even sharks! But your heart will feel through the fear and let you know if it's okay to go or not. I was feeling guilty and selfish for surfing yesterday because I thought I was putting my baby in danger. But I took a few deep breaths and quieted my mind, and then I felt a sense of peace and went out to surf. I went surfing yesterday, and it was amazing! I caught some great waves and felt like my old self for a few minutes. I think surfing while pregnant is actually teaching me a lot about my style for when I return to the water in a few months. I plan on returning to surfing better than ever no matter how old I am or how much cellulite I have on my butt. The mind will be my asset in working this through successfully. OUT GROWING EQUIPMENT: I'm 27 weeks pregnant and have gained 16 pounds. I'm finding it harder to move the way I used to on my surfboard, and my board is responding to it. Luckily, my husband lets me use his board, which is a bit bigger than mine. If you're pregnant and finding it hard to use your own board, see if you can borrow a board from someone who's a little bigger than you. Also, bikinis can start to become annoying when you're pregnant. I've found that bikinis from Hurley are great for both stages of pregnancy. I'm not saying this because they sponsor my boyfriend but because it's true: HURLEY has amazing suits for pregancy. They are not built for pregacny, but they work great for me! I also highly recommend a good tail pad to protect your knees. At this point, you'll be knee paddling, which creates a pocket for your belly to rest safely. And because of that awkward position, you'll be putting a lot of pressure on your chest, which can bruise your sternum. You can be sure your knees will feel like they did when you were a wild 10-year-old with bloody knees all the time. Enjoy! I can understand why someone might think that continuing to surf while pregnant is too much trouble. But for me, it's worth it. It's a staple in my mental, physical, and spiritual health. And, like I mentioned before, I love doing something that most people say is impossible. I am documenting my experience of surfing while pregnant to provide support and information for other women who want to do the same. I found very little information about surfing while pregnant, and Holly Beck's video of her surfing 32 weeks pregnant was my saving grace. I hope my experience will help other women who want to surf while pregnant. Love, Danielle

I am not a doctor and do not give medical advice. Nothing on this website is medical advice. If you have medical questions, please consult your doctor. I am sharing my personal pregnancy journey to provide information and support, but it is not intended as medical advice. Both of my pregnancies were unplanned, but they are the biggest blessings of my life. My first-trimester symptoms were very similar for both pregnancies. The first time around I wasn't feeling well, and I thought something was seriously wrong with me. I would almost faint every time I stood up, and I was short of breath on runs. Even paddling out before catching a wave, I was having a hard time breathing and in a few cases saw stars. For me, there is a very specific feeling of pregnancy. So specific in fact that my second pregnancy knew right away as I was paddling out I was pregnant. It was a better reading than a pregnancy test, seriously! HEART PALPITATIONS: When I was pregnant, I experienced heart palpitations, which made me feel like I was having a heart attack. I went to a cardiologist after I gave birth, and he told me that my heart was very strong, but that I had a low resting heart rate due to all the exercise I do. While the heart palpitations are not dangerous, they can cause anxiety. I had heart palpitations during both of my pregnancies. The second time, they were worse. I went to the ER twice thinking I was dying, but they said everything was fine. The palpitations usually pass in about 4-5 minutes, but they're very frightening. I've learned to slow my breathing and heart rate, but it's not easy. If you are having heart palpitations during pregnancy, please see a specialist and get it checked out. I went to a heart doctor and had a heart monitor for two weeks. I also had an EKG, ultrasound, and many other tests to make sure my heart was okay. Thank goodness everything was fine! SHORTNESS OF BREATH: I have been an athlete all my life, and one thing I am sure of is my breath. At one point I could hold my breath for 5 minutes and 12 seconds. I felt out of breath after each wave while surfing and between workouts. I was slower than usual when running, and even had a few moments of seeing stars. This was a big hint that I was pregnant. I experience shortness of breath while surfing. I felt like I had to stop, relax, and get through it. I never surfed alone, and I always let my partner know how I was feeling before I went surfing. If you are going to pursue surfing while pregnant, I strongly suggest telling someone or having someone with you. CONFIDENCE DEATH: When you're pregnant, your body changes quickly, and your mind races. You have endless questions that neither Google nor anyone else can fully answer. You worry about things you never worried about before. You feel different in your skin, and your brain chemistry is changing. All of this can make you question your ability to be the person you've always been. On top of that, we live in a society that doesn't support women in sports or motherhood. You're pioneering a space in human existence that is both terrifying and beautiful. All of this weighs on your confidence and body image. If you're anything like me, you might already have issues in the department. I found the world of surfing to be toxic because the industry clings to appearance over performance. It's cruel and unfair. Surfing on the North Shore of Ohau with even one speck of cellulite, and being over the age of 22 is like the ultimate sin. If you are young, have a great body, are parent-funded, and have all the time in the world to maintain social media posts, you'll get sponsored and championed. I'll get into that in a different post but my point is, that my confidence went through a death, and staying in the water, moving forward, and becoming a mother to my powerful son, gave me a new sort of confidence. Which is why you are here now reading these things. I was pregnant and surfing, and I was having a hard time finding information about it. I felt lost until I came across Holly Beck's video blog, which documented her experience of surfing while pregnant. Holly's video blog about surfing while pregnant was a huge relief for me. I would have tried it anyway, but seeing her thrive gave me hope and encouragement that it could be done. PAINFUL BODY PARTS/SEA SICKNESS: On a scale of 1-10, your breasts will hurt at a 20. You might even see nipple rash and have red irritated nipples no matter what you wear. And you might feel throbbing nerve endings on fire, after paddling hard for a wave! I didn't experience nausea during my first pregnancy, but I did during my second. I was sick the entire first trimester, and second trimester. I even experienced intense seasickness while surfing. I found that going over the waves triggered a barfing fit, but duck diving them was better. Barfing in the lineup is terrifying and dangerous, so I had to come to terms with it and set aside bigger wave days for after pregnancy. MIND GAMES: During pregnancy, the mind plays tricks on you, making you question your abilities and your right to pursue your passions. If you're like me, you might already have self-confidence issues, and pregnancy can exacerbate those feelings. Add to that the fact that society doesn't support women in sports or motherhood, and you've got a recipe for doubt and second-guessing. Mom guilt already starts, and maybe your partner is truly worried about you and your baby. My partner, Shayden, was super supportive but there were a few big days when he didn't truly feel comfortable with me going out. I take pride in considering his feeling so this was another part of mind games that got me. SOCIETY DISAPPROVAL: I was pregnant when COVID broke out, and I had no doctors to consult. I was on my own, but I was comfortable with that. I tuned into my intuition, which is the greatest gift God gave me. I ran and surfed throughout my pregnancy, and I did everything my heart, body, and mind allowed me to do. The only thing that caught me off guard was the negative comments I received from others. I was running the bike path on the North Shore, enjoying the peace and beauty of the trees and shoreline. I was feeling proud of myself for being true to myself. An older woman stopped me to tell me that running pregnant was child abuse. She went on to tell me she called the cops on me! I wanted to ask her what the 911 dispatcher told her, but I just wanted to get far away from her. Many people shamed me for working out while pregnant. I was surfing by myself at a secluded break called Parking Lots when a guy paddled over and sat so close to me that his feet were touching mine. He started battling me for waves, which made it clear that he had a problem with me. I asked him what his problem was, and he said that it was ugly to see a woman surfing while pregnant or being athletic and fat. He told me my place was sitting on the beach filming the guy who got me pregnant. His last remark was my last straw. He said that I was giving women the wrong idea. That "there is no place for women in the water in the first place other than something good to look at between waves. Only girls with tight asses get paid to surf nowadays". I lost my cool and hit my red line when a guy verbally attacked me for surfing while pregnant. I will spare you the details of my response, but it was some of the most foul language I've ever uttered. If I hadn't been pregnant, I would have invited him to the beach for a fight he couldn't win. After losing my cool and hitting my red line when a guy verbally attacked me for surfing while pregnant, I caught my next wave in, went in, sat alone, and just cried my eyes out. I realized that I got even more upset knowing that when I lost my composure, I also lost in front of my unborn son, and all women who choose to IMUA in their sport during pregnancy, especially in surfing. I let ignorance win and should have just felt bad for him and his obvious misery. I quickly realized, that if I am going to stand for women and children, I better handle myself in the face of adversary. Even if my hormones want me to eat him alive, I need to remember that quote "Never cast pearls before swine." In other words to not waste good things on people who won't appreciate them. It comes from a saying of Jesus in the Bible, Matthew 7:6 Things like that happen to better you, not stop you. If someone says something stupid to you, just blow them off and wish them a great day! SO WHY SURF PREGO if all this is happening?  I guess you have to see how important sports or surfing is to you in the grand scheme of your physical, mental, or spiritual well-being. For me, the love of surfing and sports is the greatest source of my mental, physical, and spiritual health. Growing up, I didn't have my mom and dad there to nurture my insecurities, so I would play soccer, run, swim, or just be active, and it always made me feel amazing. Not to mention, I am a person who loves a great challenge. If it seems impossible, I want to try it. I also want to be the best I can be for my family and the people around me. Catching just one wave, seeing sea animals, the beautiful mountains, the ocean, a happy face, or just the pure beauty of the ocean, makes it all worth it. A happy mamma even in the very beginning translates to our children. None of the experiences mentioned above are bad experiences to live in my eyes. They are experiences that I am thankful to have and grow with. I can find a way to be the space for others out there who need a little love and insight. Motherless daughters now have a place to belong, and anyone seeking information can find something here instead of spending hours searching the internet for a bit of hope to cling to. Even if this helps only one person, I am so happy. God has called me to do this. It was scary, but I knew I just had to start and it would work out along the way. And it truly is. I got you. See you in the second trimester. Love, Danielle