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Getting To Know Michelle Malmedal
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Norwegian born and raised Michelle Malmedal is living the good life and taking advantage of every moment it has to offer. Living the dream of the never ending 'Australian summer' is a far cry from the ski slopes of Norway. Michelle is in the Central Coast of New South Whales and spends every day with friends chasing the wind and waves. Her tools of choice are a kiteboard and stand up paddleboard (SUP).
Michelle enjoys the atmosphere, people and even the pressures that go along with competition where she has been a regular at many SUP and kitesurfing events over the past 3 years. Michelle's best results are 1st in open woman’s Kitesurfing at The Corona Classic 2011 and 4th in Kitesurfing Freestyle Nationals in 2010. Also spent the year competing in her local club SUP comps where Michelle finished 2nd in ladies overall for 2011, and recently competed in NSW State Titles which qualified her for the SUPA National Titles to be held at Surf Fest 2012.
Michelle has completed a degree in Physiotherapy at the University Of Newcastle and works as a sport physiotherapist at Wamberal Physiotherapy. Michelle is very lucky because her employers are very accommodating to her lifestyle. Paddling or kiting, riding waves and freestyle whenever the wind was on.
What is the most rewarding part of being a sports physiotherapist?
The opportunity to work with top athletes and being a part of their rehabilitation. Also being able to get athletes back competing/playing after an injury, and to see them progressing and know you had a role in their return to sport.
Who have you worked with?
A – league soccer team, Professional surfers, National level gymnasts, dance colleges and the occasional stand up paddle boarder and kite surfer.
Does it help that you are an active person when working with a customer?
Yes to a very large degree. By participating in various sports I am able to understand more what a patient needs. It increases my ability to give them a better treatment and to prescribe sport specific exercises which gives the patient the ability to return to sport earlier.
What do you do when it comes to training personal for kiting and SUP?
Try to stay as fit and strong as possible.
Most weeks I kite surf and stand up paddle 4-5 times a week along with going to the gym two times a week. I try to focus on sport specific exercises along with core strength exercises.
I also love anything fun, so usually end up in a body combat or cycle class.
The main lesson I have learnt and would like to pass on is that cross training is crucial to staying fit an injury free. Your body works best when exercises are mixed up.
I had shoulder problem years previously from playing too much European Handball, however I am now able to manage my injury with specific exercises and physiotherapy.
I am also very lucky to work with such a great team of very active and fit physios who fix me up every time I’m injured, if it wasn’t for them I probably would not be able to kite surf and paddle as much as I do.
Any goals for the future?
Stay fit , have fun and overall improve my results in both kite surfing and SUP competition. I would like to place top 3 in Kite Surfing Waves and Freestyle Nationals next year.
Michele would like to thank her sponsors ESS boardstore and Cabrinha Kites. Kiting looks fun! We wish Michelle the best at the Nationals in 2012 from all of us here a Surf Sister.
To contact Michelle, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Wamberal Physiotherapy
Words by Narani Henson
Narani Henson in Byron Bay
" My love for the ocean was installed at a young age. Surfing and my art is something that I can lose myself in, what can I say its good for my soul". Narani Henson has a diploma of Fine Arts from Meadowbank TAFE and a bachelor of Fine Arts from Curtin University.
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