TEAM FRIDAY TUNES WITH Shaanti Senaratne

As we find ourselves in the thick of the jolly season, there will be times when we feel overwhelmed, overjoyed, drunk and satiated, so don’t forget to let go a little. Put all of your energy into making other people feel good if Christmas makes you a little nostalgic and sad, and listen to good music, like Shaanti’s playlist.

Shaanti is a happy go lucky feel good kind of gal, she smiles and salutes you on the wave and is an enthusiastic advocate to any wave worth a party. It doesn’t take long to spot the personified giraffe eloquently writing her story in amongst the waves, as water is her place to perform swan lake, and land is where she can comfortably and carelessly be Bambi. So now, we’re going to meet more of Shaanti and tap into her surf soaking sounds, if it’s not ‘gangsta’ enough for you, just invite her over for coffee.

Considering humans are approximately 70% water, and the moon affects the tides so drastically, do you believe it affects our state of minds?

I honestly have never thought about this. I have noticed that the state of my mind and mood changes with the full moon, because for some reason it’s always period time for me around then! However, I think if the ocean is always changing, so are we, because I spend most of my time in the ocean and majority of my moods come from how my time in the ocean was.

What do you want to say to people just learning to surf? 

Keep doing it, every day! Let it become the love of your life, expect addiction but don’t be afraid of it. Also make sure you are confident in the ocean and be aware of your surroundings before heading out into big crowds! 
 
What is one thing you want to do to make the world a better place? 

To put an end Slavery. Too many countries and too many people live their lives enslaved, and it breaks my heart daily. The saddest thing is we support a lot of it unknowingly, I think we need to be more educated on this as well. 

What does your fantasy holiday look and sound like?

Good mates or your lover. Waves. Yummo local food. Coconuts. A boat. Dancing. Tequila. Pina coladas. Getting caught in the rain. More waves. No big buildings around. Mosquito nets (without the mosquitos). Fires at night. Just all the good things in life on one tropical island.
 
Tell us your favourite surf memory?

Paddling out to an island from where I used to live (I can’t tell you where, otherwise I’d have to kill you) and surfing the most incredible left hand point break with a group of 4 of us. 15-20 minutes from land, an island in the middle of the ocean with so many turtles surrounding us in the crystal clear water. And surfing back hand for hours. Ahh yummm.
 
Is there anything you’re afraid of right now? 

Not really! I’m trying my hardest not to live with fear, because I do tend to fear most things. But I have now learnt to just accept certain things and situations and go with it, to try go into things with an awkward confidence rather than being afraid. (Fake it till you make it?) 
 
What are you making at the moment?

 Currently starting to design my first range of clothing for a clothing label that I have had the dream to start since I was 15. I’m so excited to launch it one day.

What is something you really care about but might not have enough time or information to do anything about it?

Again, slavery. People not being treated fairly in work situations. 

If the world was ending tomorrow, what would you do today?

Tell everyone in my life what I love about them and why I am thankful for having them be a part of my short-lived life. So, everyone departs the world in a slightly happier state. 

How do you care for our oceans?

By hanging out with them every day! I try my hardest to clean up after others and not use single use plastics and things that damage our oceans.