For the uninitiated, wakeboarding is when a rider is towed behind a motorboard in its wake; while wakesurfing involves letting go of the rope and riding the motorboat’s wake unaccompanied, in a fashion reminiscent of good old-fashioned surfing.
These days, the 39-year-old spends plenty of time at Marina Putrajaya perfecting her surfing and training others to wakesurf as well.
Rykiel has been involved in sports since a young age, so it was no surprise that she took to these watersports. “I used to love watching people surf and knew I had to give it a try,” she tells FMT, adding, however, that it was a lot harder than it looked.
Still, no matter how many times she fell off her board, she always got back up.
“It takes a lot of time and practice to get the hang of it, which is what I tell anyone who is trying wakesurfing for the first time,” she says.
Rykiel is now able to do stunts on her board such as standing on one leg and even striking poses.
Each time she falls off – which she still does – “it can really knock the wind out of you” and get exhausting, but her determination to improve always gets her back on the horse, as it were.
Her love for the sport has even taken her around the world, where she has met others who share the same passion.
“Before the pandemic, I would go to Thailand and Bali often, where I got to meet and connect with many other surfers,” Rykiel shares.
She was even given the opportunity to take part in surfing competitions, such as an event in Indonesia last year which, sadly, had to be cancelled.
Like many, she is looking forward to the situation improving so she can once again travel and surf in international waters.
Keeping positive and in shape
When Rykiel is not in the ocean, she would spend time at the gym working out or coaching others in her role as a personal trainer. But again, the pandemic created challenges as she has not been able to meet her clients due to gym closures.
“It has been a difficult year trying to make ends meet, but I had to remain positive I would get through it,” she reflects.
With the recent loosening of restrictions, she is happy to be able to resume her face-to-face sessions with clients, which she says are important so she is able to guide them and correct their form.
To keep in shape, Rykiel has a routine and diet that she follows to a tee.
“I start my day at 6am, then immediately head to the gym to work out and meet my clients to train them,” she shares. On some mornings, two or three times a week, she heads to Marina Putrajaya to wakesurf.
“I don’t eat fast food or sweets, and try to eat as clean as possible.”
She says following a strict diet can be difficult and there are days she is tempted to indulge in cake, but she has to remind herself that, as a personal trainer, she has to set an example.
Rykiel may be nearing her 40s but she has no intention of slowing down. Her advice to those who have been wanting to get into shape or pick up a new sport is: “It is never too late to start.”
She emphasises the importance of goal-setting before one embarks on a fitness journey or takes on a new challenge. “It definitely won’t be easy, but you have to remain motivated and positive,” she says.
To follow her surfing and fitness adventures, check out Rykiel on Instagram.