Up and at it – what is your new morning routine? How has it changed?
When the waves are favourable in winter time, I will usually get up an hour or so before sunrise to prepare for the day. I like to begin with a nice stretch or some yoga, then a cup of tea followed by breakfast. My morning routine usually begins the night before by prepping equipment. I make sure I have the right boards and fins for the conditions and prep wetsuits, life vests and do my final checks on my jet ski.
What might you eat in a typical working day for...Breakfast?
I start with some overnight oats, usually with bananas, dates and seeds or with some berries and coconut milk.
Lunch?
A smoothie or juice and salad or an omelette. I usually grab a Red Bull in the afternoon to keep me energised on the water after lunch.
Evening meal?
It depends what kind of mood I'm in, but I generally make a big pot of veggie goodness and enjoy it with my mates after a long day in the water.
Have you been able to work from home – if so, how have you found it?
Luckily, I live right next to the ocean, so it has been very easy to work from home (or at least very close to home - ha-ha).
Best/easiest lockdown meal?
I am a big fan of pizza, so when I was craving something comforting during lockdown and in need of a treat, I usually grabbed a pizza from somewhere.
Weekend treat?
Did I mention I like pizza? Definitely my go-to weekend treat.
How have you kept physically and mentally fit during lockdown?
Surfing is amazing for keeping both physically and mentally fit. Spending time immersed in nature and exerting energy in the process helped lockdown fly by for me.
What has been your daily outdoor exercise?
Well, I am a professional surfer, so my daily exercise always involves a board, the ocean and some nice waves...
How do you relax?
I find it hard to sit still for long, so I usually have to force myself to chill. Having a coffee with friends or stretching/yoga is about as relaxed as I get.
Teetotal or tipple?
Nothing wrong with a well-earned tipple.
What book are you currently reading?
I am reading and really enjoying Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind.
Best Netflix?
I am watching Explained at the moment; I am quite a curious person, so this is a great watch to learn about a really random variety of topics, from cryptocurrency to the world of K-Pop.
Most surprising thing you've learned about yourself?
During lockdown I have learned how important surfing has been for keeping me consistently happy and active. Of course, I have 'down days' too, but, all in all, surfing has given me an outlet. The sea is always there, even if other aspects of my life have changed. Seeing people close to me struggle during lockdown really made me aware of the importance of exercise outside. I am so thankful that I found surfing.
On a scale of one to 10, where have you been in relation to cabin fever and where are you now?
In the middle of lockdown, I was probably a 3/10 because of how freeing surfing is. We were very lucky to have the ocean on our doorstep and had the pleasure of spending much-needed time outside during lockdown. It made me feel very privileged to live on the coast in Ireland.
What are the three things you missed most during the beginning of lockdown?
I think the biggest thing was not being able to see my friends for such a long period of time. I love to take my surfing to shores around the world, so though we are so lucky with the incredible conditions here in Ireland, I definitely missed the freedom of getting to travel to new places. I also missed being able to get out-and about to cafés: there is always a nice buzz about the atmosphere - not to mention much better coffee than I make at home.
Where will you go and what will you do when restrictions are fully lifted?
As a professional athlete, I have been very lucky to be able to travel outside of Ireland already, surfing at different locations including Portugal and Indonesia, so that has been a real pleasure.
Biggest gripe?
I am pretty easy-going, so there's nothing that really irritates me. The incessant ferocious weather we get on Irish shores can become a bit of a nuisance sometimes but that's also part of what gives home so much character. It's a love/hate sort of relationship, but there's no such thing as bad weather - just bad choice of clothing.
Have your priorities in life or perspectives changed?
Yes, as I get a little older, my priorities have changed a little. I know this may sound as a bit of a contradiction, considering I surf huge waves, but I feel like I'm becoming more calculated in the water and take fewer risks. I am focusing on longevity in surfing nowadays and so I feel being careful in my approach is vital to that.
Any new skills or hobbies?
No new skills necessarily, but I do love photography, diving and just being outdoors generally.
What would you like to see change for good when this is all over?
I would like to see people respect other people's personal space in airport queues. Now that I think of it, that is maybe my personal gripe...
Has coronavirus changed your attitude towards your own mortality?
No, not particularly. If the necessary safety precautions aren't in place, surfing big waves can be a very dangerous activity. Having a positive outlook on my own mortality throughout my career has led me to take calculated risks while surfing. I feel like my attitude towards my mortality has led me to live life to the fullest.
Conor Maguire, from Bundoran, was the only male European nominated in three categories of the 2021 Global Red Bull Big Wave Awards in October.
