Breaking Water with Robin Pacquing

Swim Drink Fish is highlighting members of our incredible ecosystem. This Breaking Water segment features Robin Pacquing. We asked her five questions regarding her personal connection to water, the female community of water women, and advice for women that want to get involved in the surf or SUP community.

Can you please introduce yourself and tell us where you work/what you do?

Hi, I'm Robin! I am proud to say that I have a multi-faceted career. On the professional side of things, I'm a REALTOR® with Zoocasa Realty. This in itself has allowed me to self-direct a lot of my workflow in assisting clients with all kinds of real estate needs. On the other side of things, I'm also the Co-Founder of Lake Surfistas. Myself and the other LS organizers are passionate community builders and are huge advocates for the representation of the women in our community. As for my side gig, I'm a certified Paddle Canada Advanced SUP Instructor, and I teach flat water and surf SUP techniques and wave forecasting through my other company Taga Lawa.

What is the most powerful memory you have of being on or near the water?

In September 2016, a few days after my Dad's Light left Us, I went for a surf at Lake Surfistas Beach Day at Pleasant Beach. My heart and my entire soul were heavy, shattered, and broken. After my first wave, I smiled and beamed for a few very good moments. It was the first time I had been able to feel anything but pain and grief after such a traumatic loss. I absolutely believe that the water heals us, and my Dad believed this too.

Could you explain how the female community of water women leads to further education and preservation of the Great Lakes?

I believe that the more people in general who use our Great Lakes for recreation and retreat will ultimately observe the Great Lakes' special and important nuances. Further physical connection with the water will create a desire to protect this space from harm, pollution, and hopefully bad policies. As women, mamas, and parents, this understanding and connection will become a teachable aspect to the younger generation, our friends and families, and our communities at large.

What advice would you give to women who want to get involved in the surf or SUP community but don't know where to start?

Don't be afraid to ask questions about the gear and understand that a SUP purchase is an investment of many kinds. Do your best to understand the body of water you'll be paddling or surfing in. Take the time to sit quietly and observe the shoreline. Take a class with any of the amazing instructors in the community. Join the Lake Surfistas Discussion Page and know that the entire community welcomes you and wants you to have fun and be safe! SUP is so often portrayed as super easy and relaxing (and to an extent, it totally is!), but being on the water isn't enough, in my opinion. There needs to be a high level of respect for the water, and that comes from within.

Do you have anything else that you'd like to share about your work, your connection to water, or how we can encourage people to join the movement for a swimmable, drinkable, fishable future?

Whether you're a year-round surfer, a weekend SUPer, or a casual beach-goer, our Great Lakes are the most important asset we have. In this world where clean water scarcity, drought, and climate change are very real and tangible catastrophes, we truly have it good here in the world of water in the GTA. I freaking hope this message is seen everywhere so we can all work together to keep it clean for ourselves, our living elders, and future generations to come.

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