Michelle Connel

• Where I live: San Diego, California
• Where I'm from: Humboldt, California

Sport Interests:  I love to golf, surf, run, swim and sail.

Favorite Girls4Sport wear: Neoprene racer back wetsuit, Yoga Pants

What I do when I’m not in the water: Running a family ( two kids & a husband), and a business, takes up most of my time. I enjoy exploring all the great activities that San Diego has to offer, such as the Zoo, tide pools, Sea World, Balboa Park etc. But when I do get in the water, I soak it up!

How I got started in sports:  I grew up around the Otay Lake Reservoir in Spring Valley; let’s just say there was plenty of back country to get lost in. And I took advantage of it. I also had a pool, and it was hard to get out of it with perfect San Diego weather all of the time. I started surfing in my senior year of high school and have been surfing ever since.

Athletic achievements: Sun Diego/Ezekiel Contest Series 3rd over all shortboard, 2006 Roxy Wahine Surf Classic @ San-O  1st Place longboard, 2007 Doheny Club Contest @ churches 2nd Place shortboard. And my free surfing is always improving; I would say that is my biggest achievement. I can ride any board put under my feet.

Athletic goals:  To master every style of surfing, to always love and live in peace, and always have fun. Exercise is so important for your soul, and I feel fortunate to have found my call in surfing. I will be doing it forever.

Inspiration: I ride the best boards on the planet ( I feel ), my husband is my shaper and he can make me any kind of board I feel like riding. He has so much knowledge of the ocean and surfing and loves to share it with me. He also is my golf partner.  My soul is my guide and I have a wonderful family who is close and support me.

Favorite spot to do my sport:  I love San Diego surf spots from the Cliffs to Swami’s. Anything past that is a trip. My husband and I migrate every year up to Malibu for a mind blowing surf session. (my favorite)

Favorite Girls4Sport wear: Neoprene racer back wetsuit

What I do when I’m not in the water:  Think about the water and wait out whatever is holding me back from it. I surf everyday if I can, beyond that I just do normal stuff. Cook, clean, do laundry, go to work a little bit, and love my husband.

My job: My husband and I own Magic Plastics Unlimited in San Diego, CA. We manufacture his Surfboards, Kevin Connelly Surfboards. We focus on progressive surfboard designs, and manufacturing. Keeping quality and craftsmanship at the top of the line! But most importantly, I am first and foremost a Mother. :)

Education:  Surf school

Interesting/unusual facts about me: I was born in a motor home, in the red wood forests in Humboldt County, CA. I have been surfing for almost 10 years, and seem to never get enough.

In my own words: "Peace is found in the deepest roots." -Michelle Connelly
Always keep your eyes on the horizon, Mother Nature is as strong as she is Beautiful.