Soli Bailey: Maps to Now

Soli Bailey: Maps to Now

From Waterpeople Podcast by Lauren L. Hill & Dave Rastovich - surf stories & ocean adventures

March 1, 2026 · 1h 16m · Season 7 · Episode 18

About this episode

Professional surfer Soli Bailey shares his journey through competition, injury, and a deeper connection to surfing.

There's no straight lines in the ocean - nor in a surfing life. We sit with professional surfer and Bundjalung waterman Soli Bailey to trace his lines from early talent and success, through the grind of competing and a life-threatening neck injury, to a grounded love of surfing that’s deeper than any accolades. Soli opens up about the quiet crisis that arrived during lockdowns: paddling out and not wanting to be there. He breaks down how stepping off the contest treadmill, and reconnecting w...

People in this episode

Guest: Soli Bailey

Topics covered

  • surfing
  • competition
  • mental health
  • ocean
  • injury recovery

Keywords

  • Bundjalung
  • lockdowns
  • surf culture
  • personal growth

Mentioned in this episode

Products: surfboard, wetsuit

Places: Bundjalung

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