•MY COUNTRY PASSION
Louise Searle, editor of Surfgirl magazine, set up Vitamin Sea Collective during the pandemic after realising how surfing was helping her and others
Discover the benefits magazine editor Louise Searle reaps, both physical and mental, from surfing off the Cornish coast
I was born in Cornwall and I’m lucky to call Fistral home. It’s one of the top surf spots in the country, and just ten minutes up the coast you’re treated to beautiful dunes, countryside and coastlines full of wildlife, such as seals, basking sharks and even dolphins.
I started bodyboarding initially, then after a few years I began to surf. I love the sense of freedom I get with surfing, there’s no other feeling like it. I’m not the best surfer but when I do manage to catch a wave it’s an extraordinary sensation, speeding along a beautiful wave especially when the sea is clear and you can see the sandy bottom. Being out in the line up makes me feel at one with nature and surfing early morning or at sunset is totally magical.
I sometimes lack motivation to put my wetsuit on, carry the board down to the beach and get in the cold sea, but I’m always so pleased I did. It’s different when the weather is warm and sunny – when the sea is blue and clear, I can’t wait to get down there.
I have a circle of female friends of a similar age and surfing ability as me. We encourage and motivate each other to get out there on cold days and to push ourselves once in the water. It’s also great to just sit out on the boards and catch up.
Sometimes it can be a bit scary and overwhelming in the ocean, depending on the conditions, so you have to be present to work out where to move on your board and what to do to make sure a wave doesn’t hit you.
After a surf I feel alive, my whole body can feel tired and achy but it’s a good tired – a feeling that I was submerged in nature, taking in fresh air, pushing my body and challenging myself.
I like bigger boards, I have a 7ft 6in board, it has volume making it easier to ride. I still have a [beginners] foamy too, which gives me confidence.
Being in the ocean makes me understand how important it is to protect it; not using single-use plastic, doing regular beach cleans and minding my carbon footprint.
As surfers the ocean is our passion, and when facing our own stormy seas – our salvation. With Vitamin
Sea Collective we wanted to share that with others around the world.
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Vitamin Sea Collective is a surf, health and fitness, members-only digital community for women, whatever age or ability, to expand surfing knowledge and improve confidence in the sea. Start a free trial at vitaminseacollective.com