SurfGirl Mag Issue 78 As I was travelling from Gatwick back to Lisbon last week, and I had just finished my exams, more or less, I decided to treat myself to a copy of the latest SurfGirl Mag that I found buried at the back of a very busy airport WHSmith’s (I find myself treating myself in this way far too often). I sat on the plane, ready to dig in to rich and colourful travel stories, but as I began to read the editor’s note (after the first few banal bikini ads) I was actually a bit… disgusted...? (For lack of better word). Something in the language really rubbed me the wrong way. I had ..read more

For the second installment of ‘An Inspiring Conversation With:’ I had a catchup with an old friend, the talented sailor and adventurer Archie Walker. I actually grew up with Archie (he was with me when I body-boarded/surfed for the first time when I was little) and have been lucky enough to see what a wonderful human he has become. From refitting old sail boats to sailing around the world, I am really inspired by all the adventures and experiences Archie has had - it actually makes me quite emotional. For someone who has only been on this planet eighteen years, I think Archie has some of the ..read more

After a 2-and-a-half-month stint in Portugal I have moved to the windy and rainy Gower Peninsula. I’m technically now a student at Swansea University (yay!), but I do just tell people that I have moved to Wales so I can surf. Post surf chaos on Bay Campus (yes that’s 7 boards) … In the last few weeks, since leaving Ericeira, I’ve already met a lot of surfers and made a large friend group of ocean lovers; managed to bust my ankle and scratch up other parts of my body (stairs and alcohol are the enemy); been asked to compete in a surf competition – I am shitting myself for it; and surfed some b ..read more

One night, about a month ago, I had so many thoughts in my head about the position of female surfers here in Portugal based on my experience in Ericeira. I wrote down everything that I was feeling and thinking about the topic. I want to share those words. You don’t have to agree, this is purely my opinions - food for thought: Being in Ericeira makes me feel like the surf industry has regressed. Or at least that the sexism I thought had diminished is still very much alive. Don’t get me wrong, when I’m surfing around or working in the surf schools and lessons, most of the beginners are women an ..read more

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For me, one of the most beautiful things is a well curated surf shop. Good vibes, beautiful boards and enticing interiors; I will spend both a lot of time and a lot of money in your shop. And whilst I have been here in Ericeira I have started to compile a list of the most well put together and thought-out stores I can find. There is definitely an abundance of vibey surf shops here in Ericiera, but I have found that many just sell the same stuff. All the big surf brands, same clothes, same shtick to draw in the noobs, kooks and tourists. I lik ..read more

I have now been living in Ericeira for a week, and what an amazing place! Europe’s miracle mile of surfing and a sick little town; I have fallen deeply in love! Sunsets from the cliffs above Praia do Sul I managed to get myself a last minute volunteering job at Amar Hostel and Surf Camp for a month and a bit until mid September. So now, I live right in the center of Ericeira with access to about 10 different breaks all within walking or a short car journey distance! I have learnt so much already since moving down the coast from Foz do Arelho and have met so many amazing people. I would honest ..read more

Day 1 – 3rd March Flight from Gatwick in the morning; arrive in Lisbon in the afternoon. I’ve never been to this part of Portugal before, only the South, the Algarve; a cultural wasteland full of foreigners and new builds. I spend the journey to Peniche staring out of the bus’s window, the Women’s heats playing in my ears. It’s beautiful here: small homesteads with fields and farmland and full of orange orchards. I travel from Peniche town center to Casal Moinho by taxi and I get let into our rental house by the neighbor, Angela. Communication attempts end in giggles with my weak Portuguese an ..read more

Am I writing this blog instead of writing an economic essay? Yep. But in the nicest possible way to my economics teacher, I would much rather than be sharing what I can about sustainable fashion than regurgitating some babble about monetary policy. Today, the day I’ve started writing this blog, is Black Friday, or what we like to call in my family ‘an American invention of consumerism'. I’ve been getting emails and Instagram updates all day about deals and discount; it makes me sad. We all talk about sustainable consumption and are aware that the planet is deteriorating around us, yet we jump ..read more

From left to right: Amelia, Liv and Lani. Today I am launching a new series of sorts on my blog called “An Inspiring Conversation With: “ where I will be ‘interviewing’ people from the world of surf and water people that I find inspiring. I hope that you manage to find some inspiration in their words as well. For my first installment, I had a lovely conversation with Nip&Rip, a collection of three water women studying at university in Devon. My mum and I am a bit in love with Lani, Amelia and Liv and I have now decided that I will be going to Exeter University so I can live jut like these ..read more

So, 2020 was an interesting year. It has been awful for many but for others, including myself, 2020 has been an opportunity to take a moment and to heal. I thought I would write about some of the things I have learned from the past year. To be kinder to myself. It literally taken me writing down the kind things I do for myself to start being nicer to myself both consciously and subconsciously. I’m still working on this That it's ok to feel crap. It's only natural to feel awful sometimes and if you are ill/have mental health problems just ride the feelings and emotions out. You don't alway ..read more