South East Writers Inc (65th Public Meeting) Labrador Community and Youth Centre April 13th 2024 10:00am
57 Billington Street, Labrador, QLD 4215 – $10.00
Speaker: Bonnie Hancock
Bonnie Hancock is a 32-year-old former professional iron woman who paddled around Australia on a surf ski. The 12,700km journey took Bonnie eight grueling months, breaking the world record for the fastest and youngest to paddle around Australia.
The trip became an adventure of a lifetime as Bonnie shared the water with sharks and crocodiles, and navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic. Through determination, grit, and mental toughness, Bonnie conquered a number of amazing feats. Some included: being the first person to cross the Great Australian Bite through 6-meter swells 500 kilometres out to sea in all weather conditions, having to be hospitalised from malnutrition and dehydration but achieving a feat that will likely not be repeated for a long time, if ever.
A story of breaking stereotypes and believing in yourself when all the odds are stacked against you, Bonnie’s story is of a young woman who made the impossible, possible.
Since the paddle, Bonnie has enjoyed sharing her story as a corporate speaker and her story carries many relevant themes such as resilience, working in a team, adapting to change, breaking gender stereotypes and stepping outside the comfort zone. Bonnie enjoys connecting with a range of different people, from elite athletes and business professionals to community sporting groups. When not in the ocean or holding a microphone, Bonnie coaches nippers at her local surf club on the Gold Coast, Mermaid Beach.