Three years after joining the Surfing Doctors, Irina Balieva has packed plenty into the journey: medical work from Norway to Indonesia, time in the clinic at Nias, a memorable shoulder reduction at Rifles and some serious waves along the way. Now a surgical resident in Stavanger and preparing to become a mother, she catches us up on medicine, travel, surfing and why the advice to simply commit still holds up.
Nationality?
Norwegian
Current Position?
Surgical resident, Stavanger, Norway
Education and work experience
Medical degree at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands (2019)
3-year post-graduate training in ‘Tropical Medicine and Global Health’ in the Netherlands and Ghana (focus on surgery and obs/gynae) (2024)
3 months volunteering at an ER in Cape Town, South Africa (highly recommend!) (2024)
3 months volunteering in Indonesia with Surfing Doctors (Nias, G-Land, Ments) (2024)
6 months GP rotation in Kristiansand, Norway (2025)
2025–currently: Surgical resident
Medical interests
Surgery, rural medicine, global health
Local surf spot?
Jæren, Stavanger, Norway
What is your favourite wave in the world and why?
Favourite left: Kandui! It’s where I got my first barrel (although I’m still to make it out) and it just works in so many conditions. Longboarding, mellow surfs, fast clean waves.
Favourite right: Nias, just a flawless wave in a beautiful spot.
Travel experience?
I love traveling! And I’ve lived in South Africa, Indonesia, Ghana, Curaçao, the Netherlands, Bulgaria. Great holidays to Portugal, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Japan.
Best surf trip ever?
West Sumbawa 2019/2020. Untouched spots, great waves, rural, went on our scooters and enjoyed a month of traveling around with offshore winds the whole time. East Sumbawa later that year was also amazing.
Worst surf trip ever?
There’s always something good about a trip, I can’t think of one.
Best thing about surfing?
It makes me be present in the moment, it challenges me, gives me adrenaline, lets me spend loads of time in nature, whether it’s in tropical waters or full wetsuit, takes me to places around the world I otherwise wouldn’t have seen and lets me meet lots of cool new people.
Best advice you were ever given with regards to surfing?
Commit! Which I think works well in lots of situations. Whether it’s committing to the trip, the wave or other things in life.
Favourite surfer in the world and why?
Still Carissa Moore, even more so after she became a mom. She’s an inspiration with her surfing, kindness and power she displays. Extra inspiring now that I’m about to become a mom myself.
Current go-to surfboards?
Pro-Ilha thruster 5’9, 19.25, 2.3
Channel Island Rocket Wide 5’6, 19, 2 3/8
Chilli Faded step-up 5’11, 19, 2 7/16
Recently added my first twin-fin to the quiver: Pyzel Astro Glide 5’10, 20 1/2, 2 5/8
It has been 3 years since you joined up. Time flies when you’re surfing. Where are you at now?
I’m living in Southern Norway, working in the hospital. Luckily we have waves around, although mainly in winter. Also we’re expecting our first child very soon, so lots is about to change! The coming year will be spent on maternity leave here in Norway as well as in South Africa, with hopefully lots of surf and beach time.
What have been the best experiences while being involved with the Surfing Doctors?
My experience in Nias was very rewarding. I spent 3 weeks at the clinic there, and felt very welcomed by the community. Getting to help out in the morning, and then surf a world-class wave in the afternoon was amazing. And reducing a dislocated shoulder in the water on a big day at Rifles in the Ments. The patient stayed chilled and shoulder went back in, which was very rewarding. They had a physio on board on their boat, so this guy got the full treatment in the end.
What was the most challenging experience you have dealt with on the road in terms of medical situations?
I think telling keen surfers who’ve invested a lot in a surf trip that they cannot surf due to their injury.
Advice for anyone thinking about joining the Surfing Doctors?
Bring some of your essential first-aid kit, just in case. Check in advance what’s missing and what you can help with. Adjust to the local setting.
Have you had your fair share of barrels this last three years, or has work dominated?
I can’t just blame work for lack of barrels in the last years, but between work and pregnancy, there haven’t been many. Although I’ve managed a surf trip yearly since joining, and getting closer to making it out!
You’ve spent some time in Indonesia. Any tips for anyone heading for the Ments/Indo/G-Land for the first time?
Bring a big enough board! Especially at G-Land, the step-up I had gotten was waaay too small. Bring enough sunscreen. And enjoy the local food!
Surfed any wave pools? If so, where and what was it like?
Not yet, would love to!
Set of the day comes grinding down the reef at Bankvaults. Big, gnarly and heavy. You’re next in line but there are a whole lot of doubts. Entry point is there, but it looks so sketchy. Everyone is watching, possibly hoping to see you get launched 🙂 They start cheering you on as this beast bears down. The spotlight is on you. What do you do?
My first attempt, after 2 hours of this and not going for it, I finally committed, and got smoked! But then I paddled back out, and got the biggest right wave I’ve had. And another one. Before needing to retreat to the boat. So so happy I went for it!
Social media handles?
@irina_balieva
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