When I was 24...

When I was 24, I aspired to a great many things but achieved very little of these big ideas. Instead I took small steps towards what I thought I wanted and began the arduous journey of accomplishing these expectations of myself. In the fertile turf of my 25th year I reflect back and think it was the accidents, the mishaps and the unexpected which were my gifts. If I hadn't been restless with the borders of my life, I'd have never jumped on a train to Saltburn, to meet a girl I'd only met for half and hour thus growing to become best friends and eventually establishing the Land Locked Surfers Club. Today the group has swelled to 72 members and keeps on growing. 

Way back in January I said to myself that on my 25th Birthday I would be sat on a tropical beach far away from everything familiar and that on my return to England I'd be living out of my parents home. I'm writing this post in the dining room of my parent's house having returned from a weekend in Porthcawl, Wales where it rained incessantly. 

I am however inanely happy, I'm talking coat hanger grin and skipping around the place for no apparent reason. This is what I think I've learned about growing a year older...

Life hasn't panned out exactly how I envisioned it but the curves its taken me on have been better than anything I could have ever imagined. When I saw the ocean this weekend my heart literally skipped, I gargled it in my throat as I ran to get my toes wet. 

To everyone who has read the trials and tribulations of my life on this blog thank you, I've cherished your company along the way. Surfing continues to enlighten my life and I hope through reading my ramblings you too are inspired to pick up a board and have a go. I promise you it will change your life. 

Now for some pictures from the LLSC trip, hope to see you next time!! 

 I realize there's not actually that many pictures of me so here's one of me and one of my best mates Matt. I never see him enough but when we catch up its like we've never been apart, he's a bit of dude! 

Goodness knows what my leg is doing in this picture, but here are some of the lovely surfer girls braving the Welsh weather. 

A combination of it being my Birthday, Halloween and the weather so bad we couldn't go out resulted in a spooky caravan party. I think you can tell we had a good time...

    






































You may be wondering what on earth my costume is supposed to be. Well I was a zombie shark eaten surfer, I was going to wear my new wetsuit until I realized wearing a 5mm wet suit indoors is a bit like sitting in a sauna! 

 Admittedly a little worse for wear in this picture but luckily I had all my beautiful friends to comfort me and make me feel loved hahaha! 

Cakes over the weekend, some successful some not so successful!

Until next time stay strong and surf well! 

Love Sophia 

The Land Locked Surfers Part III

Before I divulge into the wonders of another Land Locked Surfers trip, I'd like to give a shout out to Surfdome. 

Not only are the gang there lovely to work with they've also provided me with a beautiful bikini to review. 

Below is said palm tree bikini which managed to survive my wipe outs and skateboarding!! This bikini was good value for money, good quality, didn't get lost in the ocean and didn't give me a wedgie - win, win in my books! 

  

Photography by Jemima Stubbs https://www.facebook.com/JemimaStubbsPhotography

Surfdome http://www.surfdome.com/

Bikinis http://www.surfdome.com/Womens_Bikinis-334/

triangle bikini top http://www.surfdome.com/surfdome_bikini_tops_-_surfdome_georgia_triangle_bikini_top_-_palm_trees-144436

the bottom http://www.surfdome.com/surfdome_bikini_bottoms_-_surfdome_narabeen_tie_side_bikini_bottom_-_palm_trees-144412 

The Land Locked Surfers Club III

I am still radiating happiness after my weekend with the Land Locked Surfers despite returning to the cold, bleak city. To this day I still don't understand the magic of surfing, how it is able to bring effective strangers and acquaintances together and create community. We had new recruits on this trip and rested our heads in a caravan for eight. Despite close quarters it happened again...that wonderful moment when people really gel - we even had sunshine for a little bit! 

This is all so ironic when I think about my actual surfing. I was terrible, I mean I had the mechanics down but my attitude was all wrong. I started to 'get in my head' to the point where I couldn't concentrate on what I was doing because I was so frustrated with feeling like I was surfing terribly. 

I hit the wall. 

This happened on day one so I tried to reassure myself that the next day would be better. Then on Sunday we woke up to wind and mush, it looked like a desert storm on the beach the weather was so bad. I went in anyway, in grey waves with wind speeds which exfoliated my face and had the best time yet. I learnt to surf in a blustery, Northern town in snow and hail, so sometimes I have to get a battering from the waves to remind myself why I'm doing it in the first place - for the sheer 'what the hell' of it. 

Surfing is always challenging and then there are these brilliant moments of opportunity. I love that I'm constantly learning and the land locked surfers club is giving me life long friends who I'm able to share this all with. 

Large high quality photos courtesy of Jemima Stubbs
(and the instagram ones are mine)!

The Land Locked Surfers (and Olivia the surf protegee)! 

 

Thank you to the Land Locked Surfers, Surfdome, Croyde Bay locals and Ruda Holiday park for another life affirming weekend away surfing! 

Until next time stay strong, surf well! 

Love Sophia 

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