Olive Pearce | Sport

I am 18 years old and studying First year Heath Science at Otago University. I am very grateful to the Adastra Foundation for the financial and personal assistance I have received. Covid 19 lockdown restrictions last year really proved to me the value of having a balanced life and to enjoy the sport you are doing. Although there has not been a lot of competition, I truly value the people around me in my Surf Lifesaving family who ensured I continued to train hard and to be ready for a competitive season towards the end of 2020. After reaching my goal to be named in the New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Youth team to travel to the World Championships, in Italy, in September 2020 it was really disappointing to have it cancelled, however it did ensure I excelled at my studies in my last year at Tauranga Girls’ College where I was named Dux. It was a busy year with my commitments to being Deputy Head Girl, training and getting ready for the new season.

During the summer I took every opportunity to train and was ready for our Surf Lifesaving Nationals in March 2021 and had high hopes of doing well and my hard work paying off, sadly it was cancelled during a short lockdown. This year I am enjoying meeting new people and doing new outdoor adventures including some Kayaking and running. I love the outdoors and lots of physical challenges which helps balance out the University study. I love giving back to my community being a Volunteer Lifeguard and being a positive role model that people look up to.