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One of the world's greatest surfing talents, Sierra Kerr, suffers from active Lyme disease with neurological and gastrointestinal involvement, she reported on her Instagram.

According to a quick internet search: “Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. It affects various parts of the body, including the joints, heart, and nervous system.”

Kerr said she was initially diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome and post-viral illness.

“From February to April, I was completely out of the water. I couldn't even stand on a surfboard. In May, I slowly started training to surf again. I was able to compete at Stab High, in a controlled environment. I was very weak, but determined to make a jump. The doctors told me to keep going, so I surfed the first three Challenger Series events while still extremely weak and sick,” he said.

While doing so, she managed to reach ninth place in the Ballito CS and is currently 32nd in the ranking.

Finally, at the HB CS, she couldn't take it anymore and went back to see doctors. This time with advice from the Red Bull team, who helped her find a diagnosis that seems to make sense, she says, after traveling to the United States.

“The thing is, sometimes I feel almost back to normal, and sometimes I don't. Which makes it confusing and challenging. Being happy, positive, motivated, and surrounded by love and support has been my best therapy so far. I'm working with specialists, doing physical therapy, and getting back into light training. I'm feeling stronger every day. I can surf every day, play golf, and do the things I love, in moderation. In the midst of all this, I graduated from high school and even started learning to play the drums,” she said.

According to the roster, Sierra will be at Stab High this weekend competing for the best air of the tournament with five other surfers, including world champion Molly Picklum.

 

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