Nicki Campbell, 81, of Stuart, waits for a wave, Thursday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Santa Lucea Beach on Hutchinson Island. "I love to taste the saltwater when I get in. You float both physically and mentally, you’re one with the water," said Campbell.
Photographs of Nicki and her late husband George Arthur Campbell during their many road trips exploring the country. “When we got to Florida, we really fit in well with the lifestyle. For seven or eight months out of the year we would fill up our camper and take off to the Rocky Mountains and go anywhere from Alaska to New Mexico,” Nicki said.
Campbell (right), 81, and Mike Mammen, a lifeguard with Martin County Ocean Rescue, head to the beach after body surfing together during a Surfers for Autism event, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, at Jensen Beach Park. After her husband Arthur passed away in 2015, Campbell met Mammen and other lifeguards while walking and eventually jogging the beaches in Martin County. "I owe them a tremendous thank you," said Campbell.
Campbell was a Master Gardner for 18 years, but after her husband George Arthur passed away in 2015, she decided it was a lonesome hobby and began a journey to the beach where she forged a community of lifeguard, surfing and jogging friends. “When I started walking ... the momentum built, my spirit built," said Campbell. “The happiness I felt when I would get up in the morning and just know I was headed to the beach.”
Ellie Golden (left), laughs with Campbell during a full moon bonfire, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2023, at Stuart Beach. Campbell organized the event for all her surfing and beach friends. "Nicki is just an amazing woman," said Golden. "She's a role model and very kind and supportive.”
"Woohoo!," exclaims Nicki as a wave passes, Thursday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Santa Lucea Beach on Hutchinson Island. I can hardly wait to get out there, I know I’m going to surf or swim and I’m going to be with my friends," said Campbell.
Campbell does "gratitude stretching" before participating in the Muster 5K Beach Challenge during the 37th Annual Muster and Music Festival on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, at the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce.
Campbell, 81, prepares to go out for a morning in the water with her surfing friends, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, at Walton Rocks Beach in St. Lucie County.
Artwork with the phrase "forever young" hangs in Nicki’s home, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Stuart. “Stay as active as you can be and do whatever makes your spirit sing. When your spirit sings you feel ageless. I truly feel ageless when I'm at the beach,” said Campbell.
Nicki paddles out towards friends for a morning of snorkeling, Friday Sept. 2, 2022, at Ross Witham Beach on Hutchinson Island.