Sophie Hellyer

Hometown:
Westward Ho!, North Devon, UK

Date of Birth:
10th July 1987

Sponsors:
Roxy

Biography:
I grew up by the ocean, and my Dad and sisters surfed so it was only natural for me to follow. I've been surfing since i was about 13, and have been with Roxy since i was 14. I have previously won national titles, but try to spend as much time travelling as possible, especially through the winter months.

I've travelled to Hawaii, Fiji, Tahiti, Maldives, Australia, South Africa, California, Indonesia and throughout Europe. My favourite waves are in Indonesia and Fiji.

I’m hoping to win the English titles this year, and also try to get some good results in the BPSA tour. However my main aim is to do lots of trips to beautiful places and get some really good action coverage through the magazines.

Last year I was covergirl for Cooler magazine with a 6 page spread, and i did a boat trip to the Maldives which was covered in an 8 page spread in Wavelength magazine. This year i was cover girl on 24/7 magazine and have had a 4 page spread with Surf Girl magazine.

Career Highlights:
2nd place English Nationals Open Women 08
2nd place English Nationals Open Women 09
1st place English Nationals Junior Women 02
1st place British Schools Junior Women 02
Cover girl, Cooler Magazine, May 2008
Cover girl, 24/7 Magainze, August 2009

Nalu Beads:
My favourite bead at the moment is Bude, its where i have surfed most growing up and i love the colours of the glass.

My other favourites are Putsbourgh, Polzeath (where i learnt to surf!), Oahu, Mentawi, and Rell.

Whats on your music playlist?
In no particular orders, heres my top 10 recently played -

Ladyhawke - My dilerium
Teddybears - Punkrocker
Sia - Breathe me (mylo remix)
La Roux  - In for the kill (skreams lets get ravey remix)
Florence + the machine - You got the love
Mickey Avalon - Fashion glam and coke
Citizen cope - Bullet and a target
Goodbye blue monday - Help is on the way
Fischerspooner - Emerge
People in plance - Penny

Who inspires you/Favourite riders?
My favourite girl surfers are Carissa Moore and Lisa Andersen. I've surfed with them both and Lisa really looked out for me and called me in to waves, she is The Original Roxy Girl and has done so much for the Sport, and Carissa is just taking things to another level.

My favourite surfer from the UK is Reubyn Ash, i love his style and he has been coaching me heaps, he is surfing at an International level, he just needs to get that across in the WQS comps.

http://www.sophielouisehellyer.com/

 

Check out Sophie's interview over at Slidemag

 

 

Laura Crane Hometown: Croyde, North Devon Born: 17/1/95 Biography: I am 14 years old and have been surfing for about 4 years. It is my favourite hobby along with swimming, snowboarding, surf lifesaving and many more, but for me my favourite has to be surfing. I am sponsored by nalu beads, Billabong and Nixon all three have helped a lot. Best moment in surfing: The best moment in my surfing career so far, is probably the first  time i stood up because that's where it all started.

Music play list: i like most music from chilled out Jason Mraz and Newton Faulkner to a bit of 50 Cent and Kanye West Favourite break: My favourite break would have to be my home break Croyde with all my mates on a sunny day but if it is raining and cold you can take me anywhere! Favourite Nalu Beads: Sumbawa, Maldives, Croyde

 

Corinne Evans

DOB: 13/-5/88
Hometown: Newquay, Cornwall

A bit about you:
I haven't lived by the ocean all my life, I was born and raised for in the West Midlands for a good chunk of the childhood. We used to come down to Cornwall every school holiday and even weekends. Just to escape the busy city life.  Thankfully my parents took it upon themselves to move me and my brother down to Newquay when I was 11.

I didn't get into surfing straight away I always used to bodyboard and it was only when I was 15 and I joined the BSA Grom Club and had a few lessons that I realised how fun surfing actually was. Although I only used to go in every now and again and play around on a long board.

I progressed more when I went and joining the Surf Academy in Newquay, where I learnt about the business behind the sport. We surfed and few times a week so this kept me in all year round.  After college surfing took a back seat for me and my modeling played more of a role. However after my last 2 winters away I have really been knuckle in down and focussing on becoming a better surfer.  This year will be my first year surfing competitively. I am excited and nervous but going to put 100% into it!  So fingers crossed!

I have travelled to, Australia, Indonesia and thoughtout Europe. I still have so many more places to go, I can't wait. My favourite trip so far was my one to Australia this winter. I had consistant waves the whole time. I loved the Goldcoast its the perfect training ground for me My goals for this year is to really make a name for myself. Make some finals, get some good coverage though the magazines and travel as much as possible. Riders that inspire you: I love to watch people like Dane Reynolds he blows me away with much he is pushing the sport. Saying that though I get so inspired by watching the people around me who I am surfing with. If they get a sick waves all I am thinking is I want one of them!

Favourite breaks: Greenmount Point, Goldcoast, OZ

Favourite Nalu beads: I really like wearing the Fistral Bead as its where I learnt to surf and I have got such fun memories of this beach. Also Spoon in the Sticks Collection, Bude and Putsborough. It is very hard to choose though.

On your play list: Florence and the Machine, Dizzie Rascle, Plan B, Fischerspooner, Shakira, Rhinanna, La Roux, Calvin Harris

Favourite food: I love most things, I can cook pretty much anything but I do love a good Roast Dinner from my Nan!

Sponsors: C-skins Wetsuits

 

 

Alexis Balladon

Hometown: Kingston Upon Thames, UK

Date of Birth: 26th February

Sponsors: Slingshot Wakeboards, WakeMK, Two Seasons and Nalu Beads!

Biography: I mostly grew up in Milton Keynes UK, but also spent a few years in the States when I was little. I played county golf and lacrosse up until I turned 18 and went to Uni. Growing up I had skied a lot but I gave it a back seat to take up snowboarding and started competing a little, the best I ever got was 13th in the UK for boardercross. I then took up wakeboarding at my local lake, WakeMK a few years later. 

There didn't seem to be many girls wakeboarding on cable when I started. Sometimes I would be the only girl in my competition category, I used to have to go out with the boys; it was really scary!! Now there are loads of girls riding and the sport is just growing and growing. I coach ladies mornings and there are always at least 5 new faces every time, the good thing is that they turn into familiar faces so we know they love it! 

I spent a year at UC Davis in California - which was only 2 hours from Lake Tahoe - but I ended up on the Waterski/Wakeboard Team instead of hitting the mountains. I spent my weekends driving up and down the Western Coast in an RV competing at different lakes with all the other Western Uni's. It was this year that I finally got my hands on a surfboard. I went to Oahu on Spring Break and rented a 9 footer foamy - I didn't have a lesson and I sucked. Since then I surf in the winter to keep fit for wakeboarding. I head to Portugal, France and North Devon. I spent a month in Bali last summer having never surfed lefts or reef breaks... it was epic!

My plans are to keep on wakeboarding, competing, pushing myself and to keep having fun on the water!!  

Wakeboard Career Highlights:

2010: 1st Spring Jam, 1st Ten Feet High, 3rd Longest Day
2009: 3rd Summer Jam, 3rd Ten Feet High, 4th Nationals
2008: 4th Europeans (UK Stop), 6th Overall in Europe, 4th Nationals
2007: 2nd Nationals

Nalu Beads: Bali because I had some of the best waves of my life there. Mentawai because I was supposed to go there after Bali but didn't make it - I'm still saving! Woolacoombe because its where I head for a day surf from London.

Whats on your music playlist?
Empire of the Sun
Temper Trap
LadyHawke
Lady Gaga
Black Eyed Peas
Ke$ha

Who inspires you/Favourite riders? Maxine Sapulette is an awesome wakeboarder, I wish I could go as big as she does! In general, Lisa Andersen because of her sheer drive and determination. I also like Kassia Meador beacuse she just always seems to be enjoying life and has a smile on her face :)