Pro Surfer and Olympian, Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA)
Instagram: @tatiwest
worldsurfleague.com
Three of My Fav Surf Spots
1. One place I know well is Kauai. It is one of my favorite places in the world, and it’s where I live part-time.
2. Another of my favorite places in the world is in Garopaba, Brazil, where my family is from.
3. The surf spot Teahupoʻo in Tahiti. It is one of my favorite places in the world as well.
Non-Obvious Reasons Why I Love These Travel Destinations
1. Kauai, Hawaii:
One of my favorite times of year to go to Kauai, which isn’t obvious, is March to May. It is the end of the surf season; it’s still pretty refreshing, there’s not too much rain, and it’s springtime, so all the flowers are blooming, and the air is super sweet. One place to visit in Kauai when you go is Kokeʻe, on the west side of Kauai. It is actually the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. It is really beautiful to check out, and it’s actually really cold in comparison to regular Hawaii because it is at a high altitude. One thing you should know, especially if you go to Kauai, is surf etiquette and respect. As long as you respect the locals and understand their culture, I think it is incredible that people visit and provide for the community.
2. Garopaba, Brazil:
One thing everyone should know is that it does get really cold in the wintertime, which is America’s summertime. I would go there during their summer, which is October through March. My favorite time to go is December and January because of Christmas and New Year and how they celebrate. They have Carnival every year in March, which is a fun party to participate in if you go to Brazil.
3. Teahupoʻo, Tahiti:
There is definitely a time of year when the surf is good, which is our summertime. If you are not going to surf, I would suggest going to an outer island for tourism because the snorkeling is amazing. I would also recommend doing something for the community to give back because our reefs are suffering, so maybe learn about coral gardening or something like that to give back to the environment while you are there.
My Local Guide to Kauai, Hawaii
1. Make sure you watch the sunset. If you are there, watch the sunset every evening because the sunsets in Hawaii are the best in the world, especially in Kauai.
2. Visit the end of the road, a place called Haʻena. That, for me, is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and there is nothing like it.
3. There is a coastal trail, Kalalau, and it’s the most beautiful trail I have ever seen in the entire world.
4. Look for waterfalls anywhere you can: any trails that are legal to go check out waterfalls. There is a waterfall on the coastal trail I just mentioned.
5. I would say to definitely try surfing if you’ve never done it before, because it is a really incredible experience, and there are some great surfing teachers in Hanalei Bay that you can find.
6. Visit some local retail shops. The more you help the local retailers, the better their lives will be, because it’s their business, and our community can thrive off that. I think that every community needs that type of support from tourism. When you think of going to a place, remember that you are being invited into other people’s homes, and we need to give respect and help out in whatever way possible.
Listen to Your Body
My biggest advice for self-care and wellness is to listen to your body constantly. It is hard, but even if it is a gut feeling, listen to it because our body really knows what we need at certain times and occasions. I also believe that great exercise and vitamin D in the sunshine are healthy for you. I prefer to be out first thing in the morning, getting a lot of sunlight in my eyes; that is a huge part of wellness.
Always Be Yourself
There will never be anyone like you in the entire world, and what makes you you is so special. I think that always being yourself is something you can stay true to.
Think Before Speaking
One of the greatest lessons I have learned is to think before speaking. I am a truthful person, and the truth can hurt people or make the situation really awkward at times, so I definitely have learned to think before speaking. That, for me specifically, has been a great lesson.
Keeping My Immune System Strong
Take vitamins. I travel the world almost all year long and for me, that is always a battle, to keep excellent immunity throughout the year. I take tons of vitamins like vitamin C, omega-3, L-glutamine, zinc, everything I can do to keep my immune system at the highest level. That, for me, has made a huge difference, taking them every day consistently. Since I have been taking vitamins consistently, I have been the healthiest I have been in many years. Traveling the world healthy is something we can never take for granted.
Ashwagandha + GABA
One of my most recent discoveries in terms of supplements is ashwagandha plus GABA. I take that because GABA has a ton of benefits. It increases performance and is anti-stress. That is something I have been taking recently that has been making a big difference. I am sponsored by youtheory, a company that makes that, and it has been really cool.
Wish I Knew 15 Years Ago
I wish I knew that I was going to be in a really happy, healthy relationship with my husband. As a teenager, you never know who you will end up with, and for me, that was always a big concern, if I was going to fall in love or find someone that loves me. Now I am happily married and wish I could tell my 15-year-old self, don’t worry, the love is going to come to you, and it will be natural, easy, and the best thing ever.
Important Biz Lesson I’ve Learned
The more you learn, the better it is going to be. I feel like that is all done through experience, so every time you have a question, learn about it. More knowledge means more power to you.
Advice for Creatives and Entrepreneurs
More knowledge is more power. Don’t underestimate the power of marketing, especially on social media. I think nowadays, if you have a social media account that blows up, it is easy to create a business opportunity through that. Never underestimate your power as well.
Biarritz Magic
A special place people can visit sometime in their life is the southwest of France. It is so beautiful and laid back. There is a town we go to for events called Hossegor. That, for me, is one of the most beautiful, relaxed, and awesome summery vibe places I have ever been to. It is a lot of fun. There is a town about an hour away called Biarritz, which is just beautiful. It is one of my favorite places that is off the grid and that everyone should get to know.
---
Tatiana Weston-Webb was born in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and fell in love with surfing at age eight. She moved to Hawaii as a child, where her father routinely paddled her out to catch waves. She secured a spot on the Championship Tour in 2015 and is known for her perseverance and dedication to fitness and overall wellness. She has four CT wins, was a 2020 Olympian, and has provisionally qualified for the 2024 Olympics.