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 effect through the ranks. The UK girl-grommets now have someone to look up to and be inspired by. They can see that a career is possible and this has lit a fire under the girl’s surf scene in the UK. It’s created a shift that could see the United Kingdom with a new, powerful, charge in women’s surfing for the future.
That spark is catching fast. At this year’s Eurokids Championships in Tenerife, nearly half of the under-12 and under-14 competitors were from the UK, and English and Welsh girls stacked the podium like it was the most natural thing in the world. Not bad when you’re up against traditional surf heavyweights like France, Spain and Portugal. But perhaps the most telling sign of Lucy’s impact is what happened after the event: these rising stars post a proud, photo or reel on social media, Lucy is right there—cheering, commenting, encouraging, passing the torch while still holding it high. She’s offering leadership and inspiration for these next generation girls. The truest mark of a champion. Now age 30 and the 8-time National Champion a title she reclaimed again this autumn with trademark style, grit and that unmistakable Lucy smile. Showing that she is nowhere near finished, far from it. She’s still very much setting the performance benchmark.
What makes Lucy such a compelling force isn’t simply that she wins – although she does that a lot. It’s that she does it with an infectious love for the ocean, a powerful commitment to women’s surfing, and a mindset that every surfer can learn from, whether they’re riding their first white water, two-foot peelers or dreaming of heavier waves. Lucy has built her life around surfing and made it a real success.
I caught up with her fresh from a Scottish strike mission, a trip involving icy wind, big swell, and (from what I gathered) industrial quantities of porridge, to talk about her success, her lifestyle, and what she believes makes a truly great surfer.
Meet Lucy Campbell – The Powerhouse of UK Women’s Surfing
Lucy’s reputation in the UK surf scene is legendary. She’s not only one of the most decorated British female surfers ever but also one of the most successful surf-based content creators and brand ambassadors in the country. Her partnerships include names like Ralph Lauren, Dryrobe, Ted Baker, Nivea, Breitling and Invisalign, which means she’s equally at home at a photo shoot as she is dropping into a Scottish slab.
But what’s really impressive? She’s achieved it all while staying grounded, warm, and genuinely stoked on surfing, something not everyone manages at the top level. Her buzz for life is infectious and the way that she has prioritised healthy living, surfing performance and making a career out of the sport she loves is inspiring. We wanted to the Women and Waves followers to get to know her better.
Huge congratulations on your recent win, please tell us about the event?
I was really stoked to take the win. The standard of the girls is so high now, with so many strong surfers coming through that this one means a lot. It’s so nice when it all comes together and felt great to do it at Fistral.
How do you prepare your body for surfing?
I live a healthy lifestyle and focus on keeping fit. This involves 2-3 gym sessions per week. During my work outs I focus on my upper body to maintain strength for surfing, with the aim to build my paddling strength, duck diving etc. I focus on push-ups, pull-ups and overhead presses. I keep flexible by stretching, doing yoga and I eat well as I love to cook!
You’ve just been up in Scotland on a strike mission to hunt some of the UK’s most challenging waves, what was that like?
It was a brilliant trip, we headed up there to follow a swell and it was really good fun. I’ve been shooting a lot of video footage lately and this is something that I want to focus on going forwards. So watch this space on that. It’s an amazing part of the world, I love it.
With us moving in to the colder months and with you fresh back from the chilly north, what are your tips for successful winter surfing?
It’s all about the preparation and the process. It’s so important to wear plenty of layers, to keep your body at a comfortable temperature. Plenty of hot drinks. I love a hot water bottle to keep handy to warm up! The key is a dry wetsuit to keep it pleasant!
Where do you live?
I grew up in North Devon but I am now based at Newquay so Fistral is my home break. I travel to Australia in the winter. Which is where my brother lives.
What are your other hobbies, beyond surfing?
I love most active things! I’ve enjoyed climbing, that’s been really fun to learn and get to grips with. It’s an amazing work out. I enjoy mountain biking. I have a huge love for cooking and trying new recipes. That’s been a really big passion of mine recently. I love to cook and eat with friends.
Do you earn your living through surfing?
Through surfing and working with brands. I have competed on the World Qualifying Tour for some years but recently moved my focus from competitions as I haven’t been enjoying them as much. That’s why it is particularly special to win the English title again.
Who are your main inspirations in Surfing?
I think that I speak for many when I say that Steph Gilmore is a huge inspiration. To win 7 world titles, to be so stylish and still be totally relevant after such a long career is amazing.
What does a normal day look like for Lucy Campbell?
It really does depend on the waves. I like to surf a couple of times or have a surf and go to the gym. As I mentioned, I love to cook. I fit in my work around these things. I like to stay active and seeing lots of my friends is great. I find a lot of my friends inspiring and love to hang out and chat with them and eat yummy food.
How did you get in to surfing? Where, when, with who?
Little Lucy learned to surf on the beaches of North Devon. Mainly Croyde, where my brother Stuart surfed and it inspired me to get in to it and surf with them. There weren’t many female surfers back then so I spent a lot of time surfing with my brother and his friends. It was such fun, I soon became addicted!
You must have seen some changes in women’s surfing over your career, what are the main differences now to when you started?
With out stating the obvious, the number of ladies in the water has grown so much, it’s amazing to see. Also, particularly over the last 2 years, the standard has gone through the roof. Such inspiring surfing on the world tour and so much positivity about women’s surfing. Which isn’t the way it has always been. It’s in a great place!
With eight national titles Lucy is arguable the UK’s most successful competitor, here are 8 tips to help you live like Lucy.
(And Apply to Life Beyond the Waves)
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1. Consistency Beats Intensity
Lucy doesn’t train like a maniac; she trains regularly and smartly. Surfing rewards routine, not random hero sessions.
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2. Stay Curious and Keep Learning
Climbing, cooking, trying new sports, Lucy keeps expanding her world. Curiosity fuels progression and this helps to keep surfing and training fresh.
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3. Preparation Makes Perfect (Especially in Winter)
Her winter surfing hacks prove that being organised makes cold-water surfing not only doable but enjoyable. And that is super important if you are based in the northern hemisphere.
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4. Surround Yourself with Positive People
She finds motivation in her friends, proof that your surf crew shapes your stoke. Choose your friends wisely and you’ll elevate each other.
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5. Listen to Your Joy, Not Trends
Stepping away from the slog of the World Qualifying Tour to rediscover fun is a lesson many surfers need. Make it fun and you’ll keep improving more quickly.
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6. Chase Adventure, Not Comfort
Scotland in winter? Enough said. It will be interesting to watch Lucy’s ongoing reinvention, leading from the front with inspirational plans and ideas.
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7. Build Strength for the Surf Life You Want
Not to look good (though she does) but to paddle harder, duck dive deeper, and surf better.
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8. Let the Ocean Lead
Her life flows around tides and swell, not emails or distractions. There’s wisdom in that rhythm. How many of us would be brave enough to shape our life around the sea, rather than the pull of the rat race?
Why Surfing With Women and Waves Can Help You Surf Like Lucy
Lucy’s story is proof that women’s surfing in the UK is booming. The talent pool is deeper than ever and the community is stronger, more supportive and more ambitious than at any time in history.
This is exactly why Women and Waves exists: to help women grow in confidence, improve their surfing skills, find community and experience the joy Lucy talks about so naturally. It’s around this ethos we have developed our surf coaching weekends in Newquay, Croyde and Wales.
Whether you’re just starting or levelling up, training in warm waves or winter waters, you can take inspiration from Lucy’s journey, and come surf with us and enjoy the safe space that we have created.
Lucy Campbell Isn’t Done Yet
Eight national titles, global brand partnerships, a thriving creative career and more adventures than most people pack into a lifetime, and she’s still only 28.
Lucy isn’t slowing down. If anything, she’s just getting started.
Her surfing is stylish, powerful and deeply authentic. Her attitude is grounded and inspiring. Her influence on UK women’s surfing is enormous, and growing.
We can’t wait for the next episode. When will your next surfing chapter begin? Let Lucy be your inspiration, get in the water more and let it shape your life.
Join an international surfing adventure and let your surfing dreams become a reality.
