Surf's up for former legal eagle

Napier woman Marguerite Vujcich is enjoying her new-found reputation as "the surfing lawyer" and at the age of 52 reckons she's proof you can "teach an old dog new tricks".

The South African is the current Hawke's Bay women's surfing champion and is ranked among the top 10 New Zealand surfers.

She is the oldest female competitor on the national circuit and some of her peers are 30 years her junior.

Recently she won second place in the women's bodyboard division at the national surfing championships held at Piha and this week heads away for a meeting at Whangamata.

Vujcich is becoming something of a role model among her surfing peers and hopes her efforts on the water can inspire others finding life a bit difficult.

"I used to work as a court lawyer in Auckland," she said.

"I would work long hours and attend trials around the country. My work was my biggest passion.

"Then one day I collapsed at a trial. I was on my death bed and had been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome."

The illness took away her ability to work as a lawyer and at the age of 46 it was time for a lifestyle change.

Her family moved to Hawke's Bay where she rediscovered her 30-year-old surfboard, bringing back some fond memories.

"I was 16 when I taught myself how to surf, that was in Durban.

"I started surfing competitively and won a few trophies, then opportunities came up to go surfing overseas.

"When I became a law barrister, all I did was practice law for 20 years and then when we came to Hawke's Bay I told my husband I wanted to go back to surfing."

She contacted Surfing New Zealand and asked if she could enter the veteran division but was told there was only the open women's division and the girls were mostly teens.

"I was worried about what the other girls would think when they saw me out in the water but now this is my third season on the national circuit and they adore me.

"At Piha, they all came out to cheer me on. They always wish me well and I like to think that I can inspire them."

Her second-place finish in the bodyboard division in January had prompted her to join the bodyboard national circuit, as well as still competing in the open surfing division.

"I was so excited I came second. It it was my first competition in body boarding."

Vujcich said she had been humbled by people who had stopped in the street to offer congratulations for taking on surfing as a competitive sport.

Napier's Thirsty Whale Bar had also agreed to sponsor her.

She has written two books, one called The Surfing Lawyer and a children's book.

She had also made two music albums, one is called Farewell to a Friend which was a tribute to singer and songwriter Ian Morris who mastered the albums.

"The story I want to put out there is that no matter what adversity may strike you, fight on with courage.

"Never give up, you just keep striving for goals and believe in yourself."