INTRODUCING – Laura Crane

Fresh back from a trip to the Maldives with the Billabong crew, SurfGirl cover star Laura Crane is in a very happy place. After becoming the British Under 18 Surfing Champion earlier this year, 15 year old Laura is now very much in demand. Thankfully, Girlylegs got a chance to catch up with her!

How was your trip to the Maldives?
It was like paradise! Just like the postcards show it, white sand and warm blue water. There was consistent surf all the time and it was so sunny. Trip of a lifetime!

How did you get into surfing?
I used to live in Bristol and we would come on holiday to the beach at weekends. I had a few surf lessons with my dad and from then on I have not been able to get enough of it, so we moved closer to the sea!

How often do you hit the waves?
I surf most days whether the surf is good or bad. You have to know how to surf all conditions because you never know what the waves are going to be like at the next contest.

What has been your best accomplishment to date?
This would have to be becoming British under 18 champion earlier this year.

How do you focus when competing?
I listen to music, talk to my coach and think about how much I want to win.

You mentioned that you listen to music when you compete, what music do you like?

For competing I usually listen to upbeat R&B and for chilling out I listen to some relaxed Jack Johnson or Damien Marley.

What advice do you have for girls who want to give it a go?
If you want to get in to surfing then don’t hold back, its a great sport, super fun and it never gets boring!

What do you hope to achieve with your surfing?
I hope to become the best I can possibly be, and to travel with it as much as possible.

Where are your favourite surf spots?
My favourite surf spots would have to be Cokes and Chickens in the Maldives.

Who would you like to surf with?
If I could choose anyone to surf with it would have to be Sally Fitzgibbon. We surfed with her when we were in the Maldives. She rips!

How did getting the cover of SurfGirl magazine make you feel?
Well its any girls dream to be on the cover of a magazine, so like any normal girl I was running around the house very happy!

What drives you to keep going?
Support from my parents and the passion for my sport.

How do you stay fit and healthy?

Well I do a lot of swimming in the winter and I run almost everyday. I also do a lot of core fitness.

What are your plans for the next twelve months?

For the next 12 months I see my self finishing school and focusing on my surfing and modelling.

How do you balance school work with living the surfer dream?

My school are really flexible with me as I am on an educated off site program which means I take my work with me, which is really good .

Do you have any more trips/competitions in the pipeline?

I have yet to complete the contest season this year, but hope to keep up the good results. I also hope to make the GB team for this year, so that I can compete in the world games in Peru in january.