It is a challenge between nature and people. 

The inaugural surfing competition in the Southeast Asian Games, will see a Myanmar woman athlete competing on equal terms against men. 

And the athlete shouldering the honour is none other than 25-year-old Ma Thwe Thwe Soe. 

Better known as Nida Soe, she becomes the first woman to ever represent Myanmar in the sport. 

Having grown up surrounded by brothers, she had always been sporty to some extent. 

She played volleyball and basketball when she was younger. However, she prioritised her education so she didn’t focus on sports, she said.

Nida Soe was fortunate enough to get a chance to study in the United States and attended school in California where there are many beaches. 

As she sometimes felt low and lonely living alone in a foreign country for her studies, she looked for a healthy outlet to alleviate stress. 

She used to go to the beach with her friends during holidays and they urged her to try surfing to release stress. 

After a few tribulations learning the sport and getting better, she realised that she enjoyed and loved surfing.

Although it was initially difficult for her to pick up the skills as she was not a strong swimmer she persevered as she loved the way the activity made her feel. So, whenever she had time away from her books, she would practise. 

She also tried to play basketball and volleyball during her university days but it was difficult for her to make the team since she was shorter than most of the others trying out for the team.

In contrast, surfing needed only a surfboard and could be done individually, making it even easier for her to decide on the sport. .

“At first, it was difficult for me. As I was born in and grew up in Yangon, I was afraid of water but I wanted to try it, as I saw other people go surfing. Thankfully, I stuck with it and got better,” she said.

It was made more challenging for her because she started learning when she was older, she says. 

It would have been easier if she had started younger as children are naturally more adventurous and daring when it comes to learning new things, she added. 

But, her friends encouraged her not to be fearful so she kept trying and finally got used to it.

When she came back to Myanmar during her holidays, she went to Ngwe Saung Beach to surf. 

There she came across the few local surfers in the country and the rare tourists who surfed in Myanmar. 

Having bonded with them over their shared passion she gave them her surf boards as a gift and began practising with them. 

When she came back to Myanmar another time, she came into contact with U Phone Kyaw Moe Myint, the head of Myanmar Sailing Federation.

Having planned to continue surfing once back in Myanmar, she brought the equipment that she had in the US back to Myanmar. 

Then, she heard from a friend that surfing would be included for the first time in the SEA Games in the Philippines for the first time. 

However, the organisers stated that the event would only be included if a minimum of four countries participated. 

This meant that Myanmar was invited to send participants.

 Upon learning this, she talked about it with U Phone Kyaw Moe Myint, and made up her mind to take part in the games, and finally started making necessary preparations.

“Since then, I stepped up my training. Before, I would think of surfing only when I wanted to, and didn’t do that regularly and not properly because I was a bit lazy then. But now I have to do it more seriously as part of the team. Most of the surfers who will be going are younger than me, and I wanted to set an example for them,” she said.

Initially worried that her parents would agree to let her go, she didn’t let them know about her plans and quietly continued with her determination to develop surfing in Myanmar.

Unlike many local girls who shy away from the sun, she trains under scorching sun at the beach. 

“This is my passion and I am proud of it. I also thank the ones who are supporting me. I was able to do this because of my past and current actions. I will never forget being able to pursue my dreams,” she said, adding that the fact that she will be representing her country is now constantly on her mind. As her friends of her age have finished school and are getting jobs, she says she does worry a little about her future.

“At one time while training in Bali, I fell off the board and was scared a little. At that time, I thought to myself that no one would come and save me even if I become a national representative. I would have to suffer my whole life if something happened. But I can’t let myself think of the reasons to stop surfing and I just knew I wanted to continue surfing,” she said.

The SEA Games will be first international contest for her as well as for the Surf Association of Myanmar, and the thought excites her, she admitted. With the rest of the team, she has been training for the competition inside and outside the country. During a training camp in Bali, she says she made progresses.

“We trained about six hours a day. But I endured despite tiredness. If I am well preparated, my confidence will improve. I have trained as best as I could for the competition,” said Nida Soe. The team also trained in Ngwe Saung. 

The trainings sessions were in themselves often unpredictable, depending very much on weather conditions.

“We have to always monitor the weather – the next day’s wind speed, waves and tides. And not just on a daily basis, we have to check the weather every hour. I’m proud of myself because I can ride on waves that are given by nature despite the fact that I am a human. I want other people to try this sport,” she said. 

As she has to compete with other nations which have world-class competitors, she will try her best rather than expect any medal. 

Representing Myanmar for the first time, she is unique in placing priority on surfing instead of pursuing a more mundane career path.

A career as a coach in the future is not a definite thing for her, but whatever happens she says she is determined to develop the sport in Myanmar.

“I plan to request support from my friends in California and Indonesia for things like  boards to help grow the sport.”.

Despite being excited and nervous about her first experience in the coming SEA Games, she says she will do her best.

“I want to urge everyone to support the surfing team. All the members are doing this not for money. We are trying very hard every day. So, please support us,” she said. – Translated

Myanmar’s Greatest Athletes is a series of interviews with five of local sportsmen and women who will represent Myanmar at the upcoming Sea Games in the Philippines. These profiles tell the stories of each athlete and how they train, why and how they became involved in their sport and shed light on what inspires them to commit and compete.  The 30th Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines will begin on Saturday, November 30 and ends on Wednesday, December 11.

About 10,000 athletes from11 countries in Southeast Asia will be competing in 56 sports in the biennial event. The games are held under the auspices of the South East Asian Games Federation with supervision by the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia. More than 500 sportsmen and women (including coaches) from Myanmar will participate in 31 sports with dreams of winning medals.