Sam Bloom nearly died in Thailand, but she'll never stop travelling

She was left paralysed from a fall while on holiday in Thailand, but champion surfer Sam Bloom is still as hooked on travelling the world as she always has been.

Lifeline Australia ambassador and four-time World Para Surfing Champion Sam Bloom’s most enjoyable life experiences have been when travelling.

I got my first passport when…

I was about 10 and travelled to Fiji with my family. I’ve been to 37 countries.

My first holiday memory is…

As a seven-year-old taken out of school for four months and travelling overland across Australia in our four-wheel-drive. I have a vivid memory of swimming in the crystal-clear Mataranka hot springs in the NT. And on the same holiday in Arnhem Land, my dad yelled at us to get us out of the water because it was full of saltwater crocodiles.

Sam Bloom loves visiting Heron Island.

My favourite place in Australia is…

Heron Island, near the Tropic of Capricorn in Queensland, because of the incredible marine and bird life. The childlike crying sounds of wedge-tailed shearwater birds nesting in burrows at night is something to experience.

The place I’d rather be right now is…

Surfing the famous endless left-handers in Boca Barranca, Costa Rica. It’s where I caught the longest wave of my life, well over 300m. The paddle back out is a killer!

Four-time World Para Surfing Champion Sam Bloom in action.

The place I’ve visited most often is…

The African continent – seven times. It was incredible being able to meet Dr Catherine Hamlin at the Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia back when she was still operating. Over my life, the most memorable experiences have been connecting to people and culture, and Africa has a way of getting inside you like nowhere else.

My most memorable travel experience was...

At Christmas in 2023 when we took our three boys to Zimbabwe to stay with a family in the Save Valley Conservancy, one of the largest game reserves in Africa. Then on to Ethiopia for another month. The highlight was watching the boys fall in love with Africa as much as I did all those years ago.

Sam Bloom has visited Africa seven times.

The place that most surprised me was…

Harar in Eastern Ethiopia, a beautiful historic and peaceful city full of colour and flavours and regarded as the fourth holiest of Islamic cities. We are still using the spice chilli mix and frankincense we bought from the market.

The place that didn’t live up to expectations…

Las Vegas but the drive through the national parks like Bryce Canyon, Zion and Joshua Tree nearby made up for it.

Sam and Cameron Bloom in Turkey.

The sickest I’ve been on holiday…

When I had severe gastro and dehydration requiring hospitalisation in eastern Turkey. But that pales in comparison to what happened to me in Thailand. Speaking of…

The worst thing that’s happened to me while travelling…

Was nearly dying and being left paralysed from a fall in Thailand in 2013. Visiting foreign countries always carries risk but accidents happen; I’m just grateful it wasn’t one of the boys who fell. I’d advise anyone travelling overseas to make sure their travel insurance is up to date.

The advice I’d give to young travellers is…

Just go travelling because it’s the best education you can have. One that broadens your horizons and gives you a perspective on life that will stay with you forever.

Sam Bloom has travelled - and surfed - around the world.

The best thing I’ve eaten while travelling was…

One of the simplest of dishes, but the meat and potato soup in Trabzon, in eastern Turkey, will always stick in my mind.

The best hotel I’ve stayed in…

MACq 01 Hobart for its opulence, thoughtful design, layout and food. And for contrast, Lebala Camp with elephants just outside our room. It’s set overlooking 232,000ha of unfenced wilderness in the Kwando region in Botswana.

Travel has taught me…

That there is a lot of humility and kindness in the world. I’ve found the people who have the least are often the most generous and compassionate.

Sam Bloom is a Lifeline Australia ambassador. The Lifeline Collection is available exclusively from Rebel stores in October with 100 per cent of the profits donated to Lifeline.

Sam Bloom after her 2018 win at the World Para Surfing Championships in the US.

RAPID FIRE

1.  FLIGHTS MISSED?...

I’ve never missed a flight

2.  PASSPORTS/ VISAS/WALLETS/LUGGAGE LOST?

Travelling overland in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, West Africa, I lost my bag containing cash, camera and, worst of all, two rolls of exposed film from the weeks prior, all stolen from our truck.

Sam Bloom with husband Cameron in Ethiopia.

3.  FAVOURITE TRAVEL  COMPANION?

My husband, Cam. We’ve been travelling together ever since we were 21 and just love adventuring together.

4.  FLIGHT, CRUISE, CAR OR TRAIN?

Car, because we love being in control of our destination and agility to connect with locals. Besides, Cam is always wanting to stop and take pictures!

5.  CHECK-IN OR  CARRY-ON?

Always been both.

Originally published as Sam Bloom nearly died in Thailand, but she'll never stop travelling