Women + Waves, an interview with founder Rachel Murphy
When things gather momentum and get more exciting, it can feel right to look back and remember how it all started.
We catch up with Women + Waves founder, Rachel Murphy, whose brainchild has blossomed into a global community of wave riders. She shares the whens, the whys, and the biggest piece of nonsense she has ever heard about surfing.
How did Women + Waves come about, Rachel?
Back in 2017 I finally had the guts to do what I had always wanted to do, set up Women + Waves. I had worked with surf camps and retreats for years but felt there was not somewhere that I would personally like to join, something was missing. I wanted women to feel confident in the water and as good as I did after being in the sea. Before I knew what endorphins were, I was convinced the sea was some kind of magic trick. I did not even have surf lessons when I was younger, I chucked myself into the deep end in mid February, zipped into two wetsuits from Trago Mills, while I face planted for hours. Learn more about our story on our About Us page.
If you want a friendly first step, try our private surf lessons, or come along to a supportive surf camp.
What were your hopes for this community, and have they changed as the group has grown?
I wanted to create a group of women who support each other as people and surfers, a place to meet like minded women, surf together, and read the latest surf lifestyle topics across fashion, boards, interiors, travel, food, and environmental issues. Even a place to meet other surf mums and tag team surfs. A community I would love to have around, feel safe in, and have fun with.
How has surfing influenced your life?
It has been in my life for as long as I can remember, before Blue Crush came out on video. I used to cut out Hawaii deals from newspapers and beg my Nan to take me when I was about ten. I was born in Cornwall so I grew up around the ocean. I was bodyboarding on a little polystyrene board with a dolphin on it.
At fourteen I did my first work experience at a local surf school and was hooked on the lifestyle and the good vibes. At sixteen I did my beach lifeguard course, left school, joined a surf life saving club, then studied watersports at college. I worked at Newquay Activity Centre at nineteen and moved into surf travel companies. I travelled to surf, married an Aussie surfer who is even more obsessed than me, and here I am today.
What excites you about the way surfing is changing and evolving?
Women are kicking on in professional surfing, from equal pay to pushing the level. Surfing in the Olympics brought more attention than it has had in years. In Australia I have seen local authorities design man made reefs with surfers in mind to help spread crowds, regular surf club competitions, and the high performance centre, it blew me away. I would love to see the UK head in this direction.
What is the best lesson you have learned from being in the water?
It is ok to fail, bail, nose dive, and fall flat on your face. If you do not try, you will never know. You need mistakes to learn. Every surf is different, there are so many changing elements, you cannot compare them.
Tell us your beach bag essentials
I share an old wetsuit bucket with my husband, so it is time to upgrade. I am in Aus, so we pack light. I wear high waisted neoprene bottoms from Neon for most surfs, paired with a bikini. Now that it is cooler I pack a wetsuit top to keep the wind off.
I always pack my swim fins, it is great to choose whether to swim, bodyboard, or surf. I pack a zinc stick and sunscreen too.
What is the biggest piece of nonsense someone has told you about surfing?
If in doubt, paddle out is the worst advice. Do not paddle out if you do not feel one hundred percent comfortable. Do paddle out if you are up for the challenge. I listen to my intuition, if I think it is too big I am usually right. I am happy to swap my board for a bodyboard if I want to surf something bigger, and I am completely fine surfing smaller fun waves for the rest of my life. If that sounds like you, check out our bodyboard trips for playful, confidence building sessions.
What would you say to your younger self about balance and happiness?
- Do four things you love every day, even small ones like reading a magazine, walking the dog, or having a coffee out.
- Do not worry about what others are doing, focus on your path and your projects.
- There will always be more surfs, do not get surf FOMO, be present where you are.
- Keep practising, small changes add up to big changes.
Anything we have not covered that you would like to share?
Huge thanks to everyone who has supported me and Women + Waves so far. We are working hard on some epic trips and events for next year, from Cornwall weekends to adventures like our Bali surf retreat and Morocco surf trip. We hope to see more of you.
Join us in Newquay
If you would like a friendly weekend in the water, come to our Newquay Bodyboard Weekend, it is a welcoming way to build skills and confidence.
Interview by Anya Gilbert
