In this Spotlight interview with Oceanside's Banna, she shares her story; a powerful testament of resilience. After surviving a life-altering hit-and-run accident that left her with severe injuries, she found healing in the ocean. Surfing became a source of strength and freedom, helping her regain her physical well-being. As she combined her love for photography with her passion for surfing, Banna’s work blossomed, capturing the beauty of surf culture and highlighting diverse communities, including Arab, Palestinian, and SWANA women. Through her photography, Banna not only tells her own story of overcoming adversity but also empowers others, showcasing the transformative power of the ocean.
This Spotlight was written and conducted by FLSC team member, Sarah.
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Sarah - So what came first? Photography or surfing?
Banna - Photography came first. I had been capturing life’s moments around me since I was in the fifth grade when my family purchased a digital camera for the first time. This passion developed over the years, but it wasn’t until my uncle gifted me with my first DSLR in college that I really dove into it. I took that thing with me on all my adventures and it really solidified my passion for shooting.
Growing up in Raleigh, North Carolina, the beach was 2-3 hours away depending on which one we went to. Although it was a trek, my parents took us as much as they could. I swam and boogie boarded, but I never crossed paths with surfing in my youth. Although sometimes I wish surfing came first, I’m very grateful for the timing in which it did come into my life. My first experience surfing was in Wilmington, North Carolina in 2017. That day changed something in me, and I was prepared to change the whole trajectory of my life/ post-college plans to make it happen. Little did I know that a couple months after that first surf, the universe was going to do it for me.
Sarah - Can you talk a bit about what you mean by that? Were there challenges you faced?
Banna - Yes, it was my senior year of college at Appalachian State. Winter break was coming to an end and I had just returned from a solo backpacking trip in Cuba. I felt on top of the world; I just returned from an incredible trip and felt so strong. One cold January day after that trip, I had the energy to embark on a 10 mile run. With two miles left to my run, I was struck by a vehicle going about 50 mph. It was a hit-and-run, but luckily the driver was caught a week later. I suffered from two broken legs and a dislocated shoulder. They almost had to amputate my right leg, but luckily the surgeons saved it, I got some gnarly skin grafts in the process though. I didn’t know until a couple weeks later but I was withdrawn from my classes (obviously). I was struggling with the idea of not finishing my senior year. I was in the hospital for a month and half. Being bedridden for four months was challenging. Being removed from my active lifestyle and environment was challenging. Community members pressuring my mom to come see me when I didn’t want any visitors was also very frustrating. I did not want any attention or pity and I was sick of it. Being 1000 steps further away from surfing was the most challenging, but there was never a day where I felt helpless. I knew it was all temporary and this too shall pass.
Sarah - Wow, I don’t have words. That’s unbelievable. I can’t even imagine the struggles you faced. What were some things that helped you overcome these challenges?
Banna - After I was discharged from the hospital, one of my close friends leant me her acoustic Taylor. It was the best thing for me. I had picked up guitars here and there in the past, but this time it stuck, because I spent most of my time sitting. She ended up gifting me an acoustic guitar for graduation which was really special. Playing, listening to music and watching surf videos was very therapeutic for me. My friends and family were an incredible support system and it would’ve been very difficult to go through that without them by my side. It sucked that I missed out on the fun of senior year, but at least I managed to re-enroll in online classes and complete them in time to walk at graduation. I honestly don't know how I did it though, I was on another planet from the pain meds. However, I managed to graduate and walk across the stage with my crutches. Shortly after, I packed my bags and moved to California with one suitcase and my new guitar.
Sarah - Amazing! So you decided to move, mid-recovery, to California. What pushed you to do something like that as other people may choose to resort to being stationary for recovery?
Banna - I had always wanted to move out to California. I knew one day it would happen, but didn’t have a plan or anything. I had a cousin living in the Bay Area that called me and said I could live with his family while doing some job hunting in the process. It sounded crazy because I had just started weight-bearing since the accident, but I wanted nothing more than a new start and to get away from the attention and pity. I had this feeling that if I didn't take this chance and go, I was going to be stuck in North Carolina. I also knew it was the right place to be for my return to surfing. I just went for it and figured the rest out later.
Sarah - That's incredible. When did you decide to combine your two hobbies of Photography and Surfing? And how did combining these passions influence your photography?
Banna - I decided to combine the two hobbies a few years into surfing; after I finally felt like I knew what I was doing in the water. This step elevated my intentions with photography and the work itself. I really enjoy shooting with all of the elements presented to me in the ocean. It also forces me to challenge myself and forces me to work for the shot. Water photography has opened up many new avenues for me and I’m enjoying the creative evolution of my work.
Sarah - What has the ocean done for your mindset and overall well-being?
Banna - The ocean significantly helped me on my path to recovery. It was the one place I didn’t feel physically restricted. It’s the best place to release any frustration and heal any physical pain. Even though I absolutely sucked at surfing for so long, I was so happy to just be in the water. I wasn’t picky, no matter what the conditions were like, I paddled out. The ocean and surfing will forever continue to make me a stronger person both inside and out for the rest of my life. I’m incredibly grateful that I was able to have the ocean alongside my recovery. It’s a massive privilege and it does wonders for the soul.
Sarah - I agree, the ocean is very healing. It helps bond and connect with others and ourselves. So you’ve made a reputation for yourself with your talented photography! What are some water photography achievements you’ve done or are most proud of?
Banna - I’m very proud of being able to capture my fellow Arab and Southwest Asian, North African friends and community members in the water. Capturing their glow and happiness is the most rewarding. This year specifically, I started focusing more on video work which has been fun.
Some of my work is published in Emocean Magazine’s Issue 06 installment of “Locals” which highlights some of our community members from Banat El Waves and PaliSurferChicks.
I also won the 2023 SurfGirl Photography Competition and they published my image in their 80th volume. It was a great feeling to be recognized. The winning photo was of a mother holding her surfboard and baby. I dedicated that win to all of the mothers in Palestine who are struggling or enduring the loss of their children during the current genocide. They continue to show the world their resilience and beauty.
Sarah - I see that community is a big representation of who you are. Not just your ethnicity, but how you connect and what you stand for as a person. Can you talk a bit about the two collectives you’ve created?
Banna - Yeah! So community is very important to me and significant in my culture. I started two collectives called Banat El Waves and PaliSurferChicks. It started when I was doing some research trying to find other Arab women that surf. It led me to a handful of surfers from a variety of countries from Morocco, Lebanon and Egypt. It was really cool to connect and interview those women. It was the foundation which started Banat El Waves. I was inspired to find a way to bring together Arab and SWANA women together through surfing and sharing our own stories. “Banat El Waves” translates to “daughters of the waves” in Arabic. We meet at least once a month to surf together, hangout, and celebrate our cultures. Sharing the lineup together is one of the most special things. Banat El Waves has connected women on an international and local level, and it makes me really happy that it’s doing what I hoped it would do.
Our meetups have been held on various territories from Kumeyaay, Juaneño and Payómkawichum, between San Diego County and Orange County, and I look forward to expanding them throughout the region down the line.
PaliSurferChicks is a collective that brings Palestinian women of the diaspora together through surfing. This collective is especially important because all of us in the diaspora have been severed from our ancestral waters due to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Coming together and surfing as Palestinian women brings us hope for our future of surfing in a liberated Palestine.
Sarah - That’s beautiful. I’m so proud of your success and what it has done for people.
Banna - Thanks dude, and I’m so grateful that Banat El Waves connected us as well! You bring a lot of energy to our meetups!
Sarah - I can't help it, the meet ups bring so much light and life to everyone! It's very obvious the passion you put behind these collectives and its proven through its success. So, what are your goals for your surf photography and what can we expect to see coming up?
Banna - Thanks Sarah, My goals are to continue to uplift our community through my work. One of my bigger goals is to document water life/culture in Palestine. I have quite a bit of stuff in the works, but as of now I have a video project that is set to be released early 2025. I also have a piece that will be published in Emocean’s Vol. 8 which will feature a powerful surfer from last year’s tour.
Sarah - Where can our readers find you and follow up with these works?
Banna - On my website or Instagram www.bannarchy.com and www.instagram.com/bannarchy
Sarah - Is there any words of wisdom or piece of advice you would give someone struggling in any capacity – or any advice in general?
Banna - Yeah for sure. For anyone out there that’s struggling, you have to remember what IS in your control and what is not. Unfortunately life hands us cards that we don’t want to play with, but it’s ultimately up to you how you want to take that next step. You are the one in control, you have to want change, you have to want to better yourself. At the end of the deal you have to be at peace with yourself and nobody is going to do that for you except you. Trust the process, trust yourself, and don’t give up!
Financial Aid for Palestinian Surfer Families in Gaza: https://linktr.ee/palisurferfamilies
Heal Palestine: https://www.healpalestine.org/
Palestine Children’s Relief Fund: https://www.pcrf.net/
