Lockdown life: Stevie Jacobs takes up surfing again but misses his mates

After not surfing for 15 years, lockdown has seen TV personality Stevie Jacobs get back on the water, as well as spending more time with his girls — but he is still missing one thing.

The Sunday Telegraph has spoken to public figures about their life in lockdown, including Antonia Kidman, SAS recruit and actor Dan Ewing, Gogglebox couple Sarah Marie and Matty and former cricketer Michael Clarke.

Here’s what Stevie Jacobs has been doing for the past few months in lockdown:

How are you coping through lockdown?

TV personality Stevie Jacobs with his two girls during lockdown.

As the Today Show’s weather man for 12 years, I spent a lot of time travelling and away from family and friends so I was really looking forward to settling down at home.

This wasn’t quite what I was expecting but I haven’t lost sight of the bigger picture which is to be present and be a great dad to my two girls. Some days are harder than others but I have coped pretty well so far.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Definitely homeschooling. I’m an outdoors person and to be stuck in the house all day can be quite frustrating. Not to mention year 3 homework, which is much more difficult than I remember!

Your silver lining(s)?

Afternoons at the beach or in a park playing with the kids. I find it incredibly important to get outdoors and enjoy a bit of fresh air and sunshine whenever possible.

What are you reading?

A great Australian novel Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton, which is an excellent read. There is nothing better than escaping into another world when ours can be quite challenging at the moment.

What are you bingeing?

I think I’ve watched every Disney movie 1000 times but one series that we all enjoyed was The Mysterious Benedict Society. I highly recommend this for great family viewing.

I also took the lockdown opportunity to watch every episode of Homeland which is possibly the best series I’ve ever seen.

Stevie Jacobs can’t wait to socialise with friends again.

Any podcasts, songs or playlists that lift your mood?

As host of a classic music radio show on 2UE 954 in Sydney, I spend a lot of time listening to and researching classic songs. I love new music as well but there is something comforting about going back to the songs that you know and love when everything else in the world is a little uncertain.

What is your favourite walk?

Bondi to Bronte which is one of the most naturally beautiful in Sydney. On the weekends I like to do the heritage walk around Sydney Harbour and stop for a picnic.

Your go-to exercise escape?

I love doing weights as I find it focuses and centres my mind. It’s a type of meditation that really relaxes me and makes me feel stronger in every way. I bought a rusty old bench and some weights to set up a makeshift gym in the backyard during lockdown which I use every day while the kids are on the trampoline.

Any new hobbies to fill the time?

I haven’t surfed in about 15 years but when the ocean is one of the only places not locked down, it has drawn me back. I have a great neighbour across the road who encourages me to get in the water as often as possible. It reminds me how good it is to feel free and be alive.

What (or who) are you missing most in Sydney’s lockdown?

I just miss socialising with my friends. The opportunity to catch up and go to a restaurant and have a great night eating and laughing is such a wonderful gift. The one thing lockdown has taught me is to be grateful for every little thing.

The thing you can’t live without?

Human interaction. Talking, touching, laughing and socialising is what makes life great. I think that’s why I ended up working in the media as it is a natural extension of my personality and what makes me happiest.

Stevie Jacobs is loving the time he’s spending with his daughters but is not a fan of homeschooling.

Are you eating your way through?

I have spent lockdown improving my cooking skills and trying new recipes for the kids. I made them duck pancakes the other night and they took one bite and spat them out! I’m pretty strict with my own diet but love chocolate. As a healthier option I’ve been making my own protein balls.

What has been the biggest change to your life in the past 12 weeks?

Coming to terms with the loss of freedoms that we take for granted. It’s the simple things like catching up with friends and family, going to the gym or a restaurant and being able to travel that have been hardest to lose.

We don’t realise how lucky we are until the simple things are gone.

What is the key to staying positive and surviving lockdown (mostly) smiling?

It’s very important to keep in contact with other people and to be able to escape outside for some fresh air and sunshine whenever possible.

Knowing we are all in the same situation and there is an end in sight is so encouraging. But it’s the funny things my kids do every day that keeps me laughing and makes me realise life is pretty good no matter what.

When we can travel again – where is the first place you’ll go?

North to Queensland to get some sunshine and then to Vanuatu when international travel is possible. That is my soul-food destination with incredible natural beauty, amazing seafood, French wines and local people who have been voted the happiest in the world. What better way to forget your worries and make lockdown a distant memory.

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