We recently caught up with Sami, a cold water surfer from the UK. Sami has been surfing for a fair few years, having overcome both a fear of the sea and the idea that she should look a certain way to surf (which is, by the way, something that a lot of us struggle with!).

If you’ve ever thought that you weren’t the ‘perfect surf girl’ type, then you’ll love this interview. Sami gives us her thoughts on putting those voices aside and just getting out into the water to claim the space that you deserve, spread body positivity, and have fun in the water!

Hi Sami, thank you for joining us! Could you tell us briefly your story with surfing? When did you start?

I used to be terrified of the water when I was younger so the only reason I actually started surfing was because my sister. She was always the more adventurous one out of the two of us, so when she started she dragged me along for company and I was hooked! I got my first surfboard when I was 11 I think and I use to feel embarrassed telling people cause I thought they would laugh at me or not believe me ‘cause I didn’t look like the “perfect” surfer girl.

What was your most fun moment in surfing so far?

My most fun moment so far was when me and my husband went out during the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen! There weren’t really any waves so we didn’t surf much but it was so magically being in the ocean during that time! Any time I get to go with my sister is super fun too, and I love sharing surfing with people who have never experience it before!

Day-to-day, what is it that you get from the ocean? What does it bring you?

I suffer with anxiety and depression so I constantly have noise in my head, but as soon as I get into the ocean it all stops. I get this clarity and peace as soon as I’m there.

What would you say to yourself as advice before you started?

I would say stop worrying, stop caring what other people think and enjoy it! You will learn to love it and it will change your life!

How would you make surfing more accessible for people with different backgrounds, women in particular?

I think it’s just about education; the sooner the big brands realise there’s many more different kinds of people out there surfing than they think, they will realise they need to step up and cater for them if they want to make money. I think there also needs to be a change in the way women are viewed in the sport, we need to start seeing women as surfers first and only – instead of model first, surfer second.

Do you do any other watersports? Are there any you’d like to try?

I tried wakeboarding once and wasn’t great at it, haha! I would love to try paddle boarding though!

What’s your one piece of must-have ‘equipment’ that you take to surfing?

My changing robe is my one true love! She is a perfect fluffy magical goddess and the feeling of taking my wetsuit off and being in her warm cocoon is like nothing else! Plus it means I don’t have to try and get changed in a car park – I can just wear her home!

Who is your favourite female surfer and why?

I have always admired Bethany Hamilton because of her strength but Keala Kennelly is for sure my favourite! She has never conformed to what was expected of her as a women in the sport, she is constantly proving what women are capable of, and she has done so much for equality within the sport. She’s a badass all round basically!

What do you think the sport will be like in 10 years time?

I am hopeful we will see people of all different backgrounds, shapes and sizes on the covers of magazines and in adverts for products. We are starting to see a shift with magazines being more inclusive, I just hope it continues!

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