Rachel Murphy's Journal
27 August 2026
Why More Women Are Celebrating Life’s Milestones With Solo Surf Trips
There’s a trend going around right now where everything from repeating an outfit to taking a coffee walk at work gets called “kinda chic.” It’s playful, but it’s onto something real: the best decisions are often the ones that quietly go against what you’re “supposed” to do. Here’s one that’s been happening for years, long […]
30 July 2026
Surf Camp Red Flags: What to Look Out for Before You Book
Booking a surf camp should feel like the easiest decision you make all year. Sunshine, waves, a group of women who’ll become your new best friends by day three. Exciting, not risky. Is the Surf Camp Industry Regulated? Here’s the slightly less glamorous truth though, the surf travel industry has no universal regulator, no official […]
24 June 2026
Confessions of a Small Wave Surfer (And Why I’m Not Ashamed)
Let me tell you something nobody really says out loud in the surf world. Small waves are underrated, underestimated and quite frankly brilliant. There. I said it. For years I thought the whole point of surfing was to work your way up to bigger and bigger waves. That was the goal, right? That was how […]
27 May 2026
Women’s Surf Camp UK: What to Expect on Your First Trip
I wrote this because nobody wrote it for me. When I first got into surfing, there was no honest guide to what a first surf trip actually looked and felt like. Just beautiful photos and vague promises. So here’s the version I wish I’d had. What Cornwall is really like. What the waves will actually […]
10 December 2025
How To Stay Surf-fit Over 40: Lisa’s Story Of Strength, Resilience And Riding Life’s Biggest Waves
When life threw Lisa one of the most difficult challenges she’d ever faced, she didn’t have the luxury of perfect routines or endless motivation. What she did have was a decision: show up for herself, even on the days it felt impossible. Surfing and bodyboarding had always been a source of joy, but during this […]
05 December 2025
Lucy Campbell: English Surfing Champion
Riding Waves, Breaking Moulds & Inspiring the Next Generation Lucy Campbell is the powerhouse of English surfing. She’s led the charge for progressive surfing for nearly 15 years. But above all she has achieved possibly the hardest thing, continual improvement and domination over a long period of time. This inspirational surfing has had a knock-on […]
05 December 2025
What Surf Girls Really Want for Christmas: The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide (Not Socks!)
Let’s be honest – buying gifts for the surf girls in your life can be tricky. Sure, socks and candles are safe, but if you really want to make her smile (and maybe even improve her surfing life), you need something a little… different. This year, we asked ourselves and our surf society – what […]
13 November 2025
Winter Surf Coaching Weekends – Can you do it?
Rachel Murphy helps you overcome your fear of winter surfing. Whether it’s cold-water dipping, sea swimming, ice bathing or surfing, you’d have to have been living under a rock, not to know about the huge growth in cold water immersion. The health benefits are widely known, the way that it makes you feel could be […]
13 November 2025
Why Indonesia Is The Most Beautiful Place In The World For A Surf Trip
As Ranked By Forbes – And Wholeheartedly Agreed By The Women And Waves Travel Team The World’s Most Beautiful Country: Welcome to Indonesia When Forbes recently crowned Indonesia as the most beautiful country in the world, it didn’t surprise those of us who’ve surfed its turquoise waters, wandered through its mystical jungles, and watched fiery sunsets […]
13 November 2025
The Power of Surfing – Tamara’s Inspiring Weight Loss Journey
Rediscovering Strength, Health and Joy Through Surfing Meet Tamara, a 57-year-old surfer, lawyer and all-round powerhouse who’s proof that it’s never too late to make incredible, positive change using the power of surfing as a catalyst. Growing up between Arizona and California and now living in New York, she’s spent 25 years practising Family and Criminal […]
29 October 2025
When Localism Crosses the Line: The Thurso Incident That Shook British Surfing
Photo: Duncan McLachlan UK Surf Contest Cancelled After Female Competitors Abused The final day of the Great Britain Surfing Cup at Thurso should have been a celebration. After two days of battling unpredictable conditions, the ocean finally turned on: clean, four-to-five-foot barrels reeling across the reef under a crisp Scottish sky. It should have been […]
21 October 2025
Women + Waves x Rip Curl Partnership
A partnership making waves in women’s surfing When Women + Waves and Rip Curl joined forces, we wanted to do more than just stick two logos together. This partnership is about changing the game for women’s surf coaching – giving female surfers the tools, confidence and community to keep progressing. It’s all happening right here […]
21 October 2025
Women + Waves x H&M: A Sustainable Collaboration Making Waves Worldwide
A partnership with global impact In 2020, Women + Waves partnered with H&M to create a sustainable surf and swimwear collection that brought women’s surfing into the global spotlight. Based in Newquay, Cornwall, our surf collective collaborated closely with H&M’s design team to produce a range that was both stylish and functional, made from responsibly […]
21 October 2025
Women + Waves and White Stuff Partnership
When surf culture meets sustainable style When two coastal-born brands with shared values come together, something truly special happens. In autumn 2024, Women + Waves partnered with White Stuff to launch The Surf Seekers campaign, celebrating the power of female surf culture, connection and community. Filmed on location at Great Western Beach in Newquay, the […]
13 October 2025
Chelsea Roett Selected for ISA Women’s Regional Coaching Programme
We’re incredibly proud to share that Chelsea Roett, our talented Barbados and Costa Rica trip leader and Women + Waves surf coach, has been chosen to join the ISA (International Surfing Association) Women’s Regional Coaching Programme in Costa Rica. Chelsea has been surfing for over 20 years, representing Barbados on the world stage and inspiring […]
18 August 2025
Beyond the Break
Meet Kitty – Surf Coach, Yogi and Positivity Powerhouse If Kitty was a stick of rock and you snapped her in two, the word running through her core would be positivity. Hailing from Australia and now living in Cornwall, we love having her lead our weekends. Kitty has that rare talent of getting great results […]
05 August 2025
Surfing Postpartum – From New Mum To Surfing Again
Surfing Postpartum – Rachel Murphy’s Honest Journey Back to the Waves Having a baby and carving out time for yourself can be challenging. Add surfing into the mix and the physical, mental, and scheduling demands make it a big undertaking. The internet is full of miraculous mums who seem to be surfing days after giving […]
23 July 2025
Vibe Check: Meet Elana Our Secret Morocco, Portugal and Cornwall Camp Host
Women’s Surf & Yoga Retreats with Elana in Morocco, Portugal and Cornwall If you’ve joined our Secret Morocco, Cornwall Retreat for Women or Portugal trips, you’ll know Elana. Guests love surfing, practising yoga and sharing adventures with her. With interests ranging from spearfishing to astronomy, we had to catch up and learn more. Elana with […]
