Kirsty Hill

You’ll be amazed at how yoga can improve your surfing
Gerry Lopez swears by it. So does Kelly Slater and Dave Rastovich. In fact, these surfers attribute the ancient practise of yoga to improving and in some cases, ‘saving’ their surfing. It… Read more

6 of the world’s best waves for goofy footers
Goofy foot surfers are a bit like people who write left handed. They’re a bit more unique in the line-up. Plus they find it a lot easier to ride waves that break… Read more

Meet Britain’s multi-talented surfer Emily Currie
British surfer Emily Currie is flying high. Currently ranked second on the WSL Womens’ European Longboard tour, she’s set to take the UK female longboarding scene to a whole new level. But… Read more

British female surfing’s biggest prospect…and she’s only 15!
15-year-old surfer Ellie Turner from Bude is one of the most exciting prospects in European women’s surfing today. 2016 was an amazing year for Ellie, including first place finish on the UK… Read more

World Oceans Day: how surfers can help protect our seas
Recognised by the United Nations in 2008, World Oceans Day raises awareness of how everyone can help conserve the world's oceans. The annual global day of celebration and collaboration to protect our… Read more

Why surfing is so hard…but so worth it!
So, you’ve a had a surf lesson on holiday, had heaps of fun and loved it. Now, you fancy yourself as the next Mick Fanning or Steph Gilmore. Awesome! The question is,… Read more

From landlocked surfer to sponsored competitor – Jessie Tuckman
Professional surfer Jessie Tuckman used to dream of living by the sea and chasing waves. Just 6 years ago, that dream became a reality. Despite learning to surf at 20 and living… Read more

Famous surf quotes and why they make sense
When it comes to surfing, everyone’s got their opinion. Even the stereotyped surf bum whose words of wisdom you should never underestimate. Apart from surfing all day and spending too much time… Read more

Common mistakes made by beginner surfers
Surfing. Nothing looks as effortless as gliding along the waves on a warm sunny day. It can’t be that hard….surely? Just grab a board, get in the sea, paddle around a bit… Read more

How to not take surfing too seriously
We’ve all seen that surfer in the line-up. You know? The one who scowls at everyone, snakes your wave and slaps the water in temper when it’s not going their way? The… Read more

How to start surfing – taking that first step
Spring has finally arrived! With warm sunny days and lighter evenings on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to get out there and try something new. Like surfing. It’s one of those… Read more

How to escape the whitewater and catch unbroken waves
We all reach that point with surfing where we get a bit stuck and frustrated. One of the most common stages, particularly as a beginner, is when you want to break free… Read more

How to survive a hold down
Luckily in the UK, we don't get monster waves like Jaws that’ll keep you underwater for minutes at a time. But if you're a regular in overhead waves, or making that transition… Read more

9 classic kook mistakes and how to avoid them
Surfing’s popularity has massively increased and it’s easy to see why. It’s addictive, makes you feel alive and gives you an epic excuse to travel the world! It also looks seriously cool!… Read more

Why you should get excited about the 2017 World Surf League championship tour
It’s back! 14th March sees the start of the 2017 World Surf League (WSL) championship tour and it will undoubtedly be the best year ever! Kicking off on the Gold Coast, Australia,… Read more

Learning to surf at 61: why you’re never too old to surf
Surfing is hard. Fact. Unless you’re a kid with no fear, super flexibility and the annoying ability to learn anything within minutes. As adults, our bodies are probably not in the best… Read more

7 reasons why you’re not getting better at surfing
Surfing is one of the hardest sports to master. It’s a steep learning curve, there’s no shortcut and it can take years of patience and hard work. Plus, you’re faced with a… Read more

How to get back in the surf after an injury
It’s typical isn’t it? You’re really in the groove with your surfing, scoring some great waves and seeing real progression. But then on a flat day, you fall off your skateboard and… Read more

How to maintain a healthy surfer’s diet and boost your sessions
Picture the scene. You wake up early for a dawny, the surf’s firing and you’re desperate to get in there. But you’re hungry and haven’t got time to mess about with breakfast...so… Read more

6 of the world’s heaviest waves
When Laird Hamilton pioneered tow-in surfing in the mid 1990s, it was a major light-bulb moment for big wave surfing. It opened the door to previously unridden breaks and allowed surfers with… Read more

6 exercise hacks to improve your surf fitness
If getting surf fit is one of your goals for this year, but you struggle with time, motivation or money for a gym membership, you’ll need a different approach. Sitting on the… Read more

7 of the world’s coldest surf spots
Yesterday’s Winter Solstice marked the official start of winter - a time when a lot of surfers hang up their wetsuits, sit by the fire and wait it out til Spring. But… Read more

Team Brazil wins the 2016 World Adaptive Surfing Championship
In an historic day for world surfing, team Brazil took home the gold medal in the inaugural 2016, olympic style team event which took place over 4-days in California. Team Brazil, who… Read more

Break the professional work barrier and move to the coast
It seems pretty appropriate for me to write a post about how to change your life and move to the coast. That’s because a year ago, pretty much to the day, I… Read more

Let the waves take you on a journey
If the thought of Winter surfing in the UK leaves you feeling cold, it’s time to book a flight and head overseas. Warmer climates and amazing consistent waves are way more appealing… Read more

Buying your first surfboard: common mistakes and how to avoid them
So, you’ve cut your teeth all summer hiring a big yellow foamie. You’re catching waves, standing up consistently and you’re serious about surfing. Now it’s time to take it to the next… Read more

Improve your paddling even when you’re not surfing
Getting that noodle arm feeling a bit too often? It’s a definite sign that you need to build strength and endurance in your upper body. Improved paddle power means less time spent… Read more

What to pack for the perfect overseas surf trip
With the days turning cooler and an Autumnal feel to the sea temperature, now’s the perfect time to plan that overseas surf trip. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or it’s your first… Read more

Why don’t more women surf?
Women’s surfing has moved forward in leaps and bounds in recent years. Pro’s like Stephanie Gilmore and Carissa Moore shred as hard as the guys and with gnarly spots like Fiji on… Read more

That Summer Surfing Feeling
Autumnal swells may be popping up on the horizon, but we’re still enjoying hot sunny days and the freedom of surfing in our summer wetsuits and shorties. It’s been a pretty epic… Read more

10 surfers you should definitely follow on Instagram
Pro surfers, shapers and surf photographers have the best jobs and lifestyles on the planet, and thanks to Instagram, us kooks can get a daily insight into their enviable lives. So, if… Read more

Breaking down the barriers to surfing alone
Since day one of my surfing journey, I’ve always surfed with other people. I found it more fun and safer knowing that someone’s got my back. But as I want to get… Read more

Surfing in Cornwall’s forgotten corner
Think of surfing in Cornwall and spots like Newquay and the North coast usually spring to mind. But if you fancy escaping the crowds and discovering one of the county’s best kept… Read more

8 ways to motivate yourself to go surfing
Every surfer struggles with motivation and there’s always an excuse not to surf - it’s too cold, we’re too busy, or the waves aren’t good enough. But once we get off our… Read more

5 awesome big wave chargers – and they’re all girls!
Contrary to what the surfing media would lead you to believe, it’s not just the guys who shred massive waves. In the past few years, some of the best female surfers in… Read more

5 hacks to preserve the life of your wetsuit
If you want to surf for longer, you’ll need a good quality, proper fitting wetsuit. They don’t come cheap and it’s annoying when you have to shell out for one. That’s why… Read more

11 must-see surf films
From jaw dropping shred fests to old school classics and feel good flicks, here’s our top 11 must-see surf films that every surfer should watch! Endless Summer This 1966 classic is probably… Read more

5 ways to improve your surf pop-up
The pop-up is something that many surfers struggle with, especially beginners. If you’re fumbling to get your feet via your knees and getting frustrated, then look no further than our 5 handy… Read more

Can Kelly Slater’s mantra really improve your surfing?
When two UK surf girls adopted Kelly Slater's mantra of 'surfing no matter what' to inspire and motivate them, they embarked on an epic adventure around the globe and kept us entertained… Read more

Is surfing safe for kids?
With the school holidays fast approaching and thousands of families heading to the beach, learning to surf will undoubtedly top the ‘to do’ list for kids who've never tried it before. But… Read more

8 ways to get better at surfing
Surfing can be tricky to master with constantly changing variables so progress is often slow. If you’re getting frustrated, don’t give up! Here’s our 8 simple hacks to improve your surfing and get… Read more

Surfer Girl Stories – Jenny
We all have our own surfing journeys - how and why we got into it and for some of us, how it has changed our lives. In this first of a series… Read more

7 New Year’s Resolutions for Surfers
With a new year comes new beginnings and promises that we will do things better - whether that’s making big life changes or starting a new hobby. So why not get the… Read more

Surf Community Mourns the Loss of Surfing Pioneer Larry Gordon
Larry Gordon, who revolutionised the surfing world by developing foam surfboards, widely used by surf schools and beginners across the globe, has sadly died. Larry experimented with foam materials at his father’s… Read more

Why a Surf Lesson Could Save Your Life
The number of surfers, swimmers and bodyboarders who get into difficulty in the sea increases every year, and it’s often down to lack of knowledge about the beach and conditions. Surf lessons… Read more

Here Come the (Surfer) Girls
In 1959, the film Gidget not only brought surfing to the masses, but showed the world that the sport was not just for men. Ever since then, the ladies have been charging… Read more

7 of the World’s Most Unusual Surf Spots
Think of surfing and the image that typically comes to mind is sandy beaches, warm sunny climates, beautiful backdrops and miles of open ocean. But what about the more unusual places to… Read more

5 Ways to Improve Your Surfing Fitness
Surfing is a physically demanding activity which many people underestimate and requires a good all round level of fitness. You need a combination of upper body strength, a strong core, good balance,… Read more

Feel the fear and do it anyway – Surfing through the nerves
Surfing is one of the most natural highs I have ever experienced. It keeps me fit, brings me closer to mother nature and is heaps of fun but, like every surfer, I… Read more

Landlocked Surf Girl Heads to Boardmasters!
In 1981, a small surfing competition took place on Fistral beach in Newquay. Fast forward to 2014, and Boardmasters is one of the biggest competitions on the UK surf scene. It’s also a… Read more

Help! I don’t live by the beach!
For landlocked surfers like me, getting to the coast often takes a bit of planning ahead, especially as my favoured break is 190 miles from home. I have to factor in travel… Read more

My first surf lesson – a life changing experience
For as long as I can remember, I have had an emotional attachment to the sea which I can’t quite explain. I have watched it from afar for years, marvelling in its… Read more