When I envision a holiday, my mind drifts to lounging by the pool with a book in hand, preferably one penned by the talented Dolly Alderton. This leisurely vision was put to the test when I received an invitation to the GoPro Creator Summit in Fiji, where I joined 50 creators from over 21 nations. Among the attendees were professional surfers like Anthony Walsh, Coco Ho, Pacha Light, and Lakey Peterson. The itinerary was filled with exhilarating activities such as skydiving, parasailing, and scuba diving, among others. One thing that genuinely unnerves me is encountering individuals who are as adventurous as they claim in their Tinder bios. Why, you ask? Well, I’m not exactly coordinated, and for me, holidays are about relaxation, not about tempting fate by jumping out of airplanes. However, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity—I had never visited Fiji before, nor had I ever used a GoPro. The Creator Summit offered classes on using the camera, promising a chance to learn about the tool and immerse myself in a new culture, even if you couldn't convince me to "catch a gnarly wave, bro".

Though it seemed like a potential disaster, here's what I discovered after spending four days with people far more adventurous than myself.

@chantelleschmidt What happens when you put an uncoordinated writer with a bunch of adventurous people? #goprocreatorsummit #gopro #fiji #workperks ♬ original sound – Chantelle Schmidt

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There’s something for everyone

Traveling in groups can be quite challenging. It's often tough to satisfy everyone's preferences, from the day's agenda to budgeting and dining choices. The key? Compromise. Not everyone has to participate in every activity, and you can choose what suits you best from the itinerary. While some of my companions surfed in the morning, do you know what I did? I slept. And when others were skydiving? I opted for jet skiing.

There are plenty of thrilling activities that serve as a middle ground for everyone. For instance, sitting on a riverboat doesn’t demand much athletic prowess, nor does a jet ski. If you're looking to do something together, find an activity that everyone can enjoy.

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Adventurous people are not the enemy

I'll admit, I had some preconceived notions about embarking on a trip with extremely fit individuals. Would they judge me for huffing and puffing up a hill? Or for my fear of heights? As it turns out, we’re all just human. Even the most adrenaline-seeking adventurers have their own fears. It could be spiders or public speaking.

Just as you'd offer help to someone stepping outside their comfort zone, the skilled participants on this trip were incredibly supportive and encouraging to those of us who were a bit more apprehensive (hello, that’s me).

@chantelleschmidt Pretty chill thanks!!! #jetski #jetskivideos #fiji #hydrosports #seadoo #goprocreatorsummit ♬ original sound – Chantelle Schmidt

You don’t have to actually do the activities to still have fun

Sometimes, simply observing can be as relaxing as reading by the pool. Watching someone skydive over breathtaking landscapes can be exhilarating. Those who have lived vicariously through others know that sometimes witnessing the experience is just as enjoyable.

Just because you don’t want to face the fear of bungee jumping doesn’t mean you’ll feel left out. Not everyone has a friend who participates in extreme sports, so seize the opportunity while you can.

Cheer them on and grab the camera. There’s a unique satisfaction in capturing the perfect shot.

You might push yourself outside of your comfort zone

Like myself, lifestyle blogger Amelyn Beverly experienced parasailing and jetskiing for the first time during the GoPro Creator Summit—activities we likely wouldn't have tried without this trip. “If it weren’t for GoPro, I would still be very safe and comfortable doing my own lifestyle thing. Because of GoPro, I really like to step out of my comfort zone and have fun with all this stuff.”

Kelly Baker, Senior Director, Global Media Relations & Community Marketing at GoPro, shared that inviting individuals with varying athletic skills and abilities is a deliberate choice for these summits. “We are always trying to fight out of that mindset of ‘My life isn’t interesting enough to need a GoPro’. It absolutely is!” Kelly explained. I, for one, didn’t have parasailing on my 2023 Bingo card, but I gave it a try. There's definitely a higher likelihood of trying new things while abroad, free from your usual mindset.

@chantelleschmidt Probs should’ve done more research on this activity #parasailing #seasickness #fiji #goprohero12 #goprocreatorsummit ♬ original sound – Chantelle Schmidt

Admittedly, the thought of joining a trip with people far beyond my activity level initially made me anxious.

But missing out because of unfounded fears?

Far worse. Chantelle Schmidt is a freelance writer who traveled to Fiji as a guest of GoPro. You can follow her on IG here.