Hannah Bennett, Surfing Advocate

Hannah Bennett is lucky enough to call Fiji home. When I spoke with her recently, she was spending some time at her remote island retreat, a truly idyllic paradise known as Rotuma, 646 kilometres north of Nadi (the most remote island within the Fijian group). She has that beautiful relaxed island girl nature, with a passion for her home country and all it affords her with.

Hannah, 24 has been an avid surfer from the age of nine realising her fierce enthusiasm for surfing and her environment which paved her way to a very successful career as a pro-surfer, competition director for the Fiji Surfing Association (FSA), and Brand Ambassador for Fiji’s famed Vonu Beer for over a year.

Hannah’s other focus is also being an advocate and ambassador for Mamanuca Environmental Society (MES) in Fiji.

“I’ve been a part of this for the past ten years, I’ve recently joined them on their latest project on Tavarua Island for the giant clam rescue project,” she said.

Hannah is based in Suva, after realising she wanted to be based at home in Fiji this was the best place for training and being close to her family, she says.

Hannah has been competitively surfing for eight years primarily in Fiji, Japan, Hawaii, USA, and Australia. When asked about being an ambassador for Vonu Beer, she said it all made sense really.

“If you know anything about the brand it’s all connected with lifestyle and the environment, it’s more about where the beer is, and me of course. I love my country and I like what the brand does outside of just being a beer, it has a social conscience.”

Hannah has a beautiful presence about her, she’s passionate about her sport and what she believes in “there are so many female surfers coming out of Fiji, I hope that the trend continues and I hope I can raise awareness that the surf and the environment we live in needs to be nurtured”.

Hannah’s favourite waves to ride are in Tavarua and Cloudbreak in Fiji and the North Shore in Hawaii, but her ultimate is the Lighthouse in Suva. Take a look at www.vonu.com to get some real insight to what this match made in heaven have been working on.