'The ocean is for everyone': Canadian Para surfer Victoria Feige at forefront of growing sport

Victoria Feige is an athlete in uncharted waters.

The 37-year-old from Vancouver made history earlier this month by becoming the first female Para surfer to win four world titles, putting her at the forefront of a rapidly growing sport.

With four straight gold medals at the sport's premier event, Feige is leading the charge as Para surfing reaches new heights and progresses toward Paralympic inclusion.

"I keep on competing because I love it, I love the community, and I feel like I have further to go. It's exciting," Feige told CBC Sports.

Feige grew up in the fast world of board sports — whether it was on the snow, pavement or water. She began surfing at the age of 16 in Tofino, B.C., instantly falling in love with the sport.

The embodiment of resilience, Feige rose to the top of her sport after initially thinking her surfing dreams were over following a life-changing injury.

She sustained a traumatic spinal fracture and spinal cord injury while snowboarding at 18, leaving her partially paralyzed from the waist down and in a wheelchair. But Feige seized an opportunity with Para surfing — a second chance to pursue her passion — and the results have been nothing short of incredible.

Feige has been surfing for Team Canada since 2016, winning her first world title just three years later. Her latest world championship victory in Pismo Beach, Calif., made her the winningest woman in Para surfing history.

"It's amazing. I never thought this would happen. After my spinal cord injury, I never thought that I could surf at a high level. It's been a wonderful, joyous surprise to progress in my surfing, and also do so well in the competitions," Feige said.

Feige says she would not have achieved her success without the help of the