Juggling school, career, and life is no small task for professional surfer and MiraCosta College student Liv Stone. Every day, Liv wakes up early to train in the water, transitions to her other work commitments by lunchtime, and then uses the afternoons and evenings to attend class and finish up any coursework required for the week ahead. Then the cycle starts all over the next day.
It’s a life Liv wouldn’t change for anything but also one she wouldn’t have imagined just five years ago.
While Liv grew up playing sports in her hometown of Manheim, Pennsylvania, surfing wasn’t on her radar until 2017. That fall, Liv had the opportunity to attend a surf camp hosted by professional surfer Bethany Hamilton. As a congenital bilateral above-the-elbow amputee, Liv had always looked up to Bethany and all that she had accomplished, and she was eager to try out a new sport.
From the moment she first hit the water, Liv was in love. Over the next year, Liv went on to attend more surf camps and pursue her newfound passion as often as she could. Living in Pennsylvania made that challenging, but Liv would often drive four hours round trip from her hometown in Pennsylvania just to catch a few waves off the coast of New Jersey. Within a year, Liv found herself competing for the USA Adaptive Surf Team and soon after, her family decided to move to San Diego so that Liv could pursue surfing fulltime.
Since then, Liv has flourished in the sport. In 2019, Liv won her first gold medal at the Stance ISA Para Surfing World Championships. And that was just the beginning. Over the past two and a half years, Liv has competed against some of the best athletes in the world and has added three more gold medals to her collection.
When asked how she juggles the life of a professional surfer with her education and other commitments, Liv is quick to point to the support she receives at MiraCosta College. “My education has always been a priority,” shared Liv. “But with such a busy schedule, I knew I needed a place that offered flexibility so that I could balance everything I have going on. When looking for a school that was the right fit, the size and personal feel of MiraCosta College really stood out. You could see the teachers really cared about every single student, continued Liv.
Liv expressed how every professor is willing to work with her to accommodate her career schedule and needs as an amputee. “If I ever have a week where I’m traveling for a competition or I need extra time to complete my assignments, my professors are willing to work with me to ensure I’m put in the best position to succeed,” explained Liv. “Not only are professors accommodating, they encourage me to pursue my other goals.”
In fact, one moment during her first semester at MiraCosta College last fall stands out among the rest. As Liv explained, she once had to miss a virtual Spanish class because of a competition, and she worked with her professor to adjust some deadlines. When she returned the following week, the professor welcomed Liv back with a big smile and round of applause, announcing her surfing success to the entire class.
“MiraCosta College is place that understands my personal goals and makes me feel valued as a student,” said Liv. Today, Liv continues to maintain her busy schedule while pursuing her career and academic dreams simultaneously.
With a multitude of options in front of her, Liv hopes to one day compete in the Paralympics, as well as complete a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting and communications at a four-year university.
