118118 SurfGirl MagazineSurfGirl Magazinebest life
LIVING MY BEST LIFE
LEAH THOMPSON
SURFGIRL MEETS UP WITH 18 YEAR-OLD RIP CURL TEAM
RIDER, LEAH, WHO’S LIVING A DREAM LIFE – TRAVELLING
THE WORLD SURFING AND PARTICIPATING IN MODELLING
ASSIGNMENTS, LIKE THIS ONE FOR THE NEW RIP CURL
CAMPAIGN, SEARCHERS.
Home
I’m from North Carolina on the east coast of the United
States. I grew up in a small town called Wrightsville
Beach, where everyone knows everyone, but it’s getting
a lot bigger now and growing really fast.Early days
My dad got me into surfi ng when I was little, and my
little brother surfs, too. I went through a stage where I
didn’t want to go surfi ng at all, and then when I was 12
I went on a surf trip with some other girls from home
and just got into it. My local rep sponsored me when I
was 13, so I went to Hawaii on a surf trip and got some
photos there. Then I went to California and did well in
the Nationals, so I got on the Rip Curl team and it went
from there. When I fi rst started surfi ng I really got into
the competitive surf scene, but as I’ve grown up I just
love being in the ocean, surfi ng with friends and now
I’m more into free surfi ng.East coast surf
The surf isn’t consistently good, but it does get good
on hurricane swells, especially on the Outer Banks. A
lot of people know North Carolina for the surf on the
Outer Banks and I really enjoy going out there in bigger
swells – you can’t think about it too much you’ve just
got to go for it.
There’s a lot of up and coming younger girls here
now, but there wasn’t too many my age when I started,
so I mainly surf with the boys like Ben Bourgeois, Owen
Carter, Alexander Harris my dad and brother.Best surf
Puerto Rico – I’ve been there 10 times as it’s really easy
to get to from the east coast, so I go there quite a bit.
The surf can be similar to Bali, like Keramas, and it’s a
lot of fun.Most inspirational person
Bethany Hamilton; I met her on a Rip Curl trip to Bali
and she’s the most inspiring person for sure. It was
crazy being in Bali and surfi ng beside her – I just
couldn’t believe it because I’ve grown up watching her.She rips as well as anyone with two arms; she’s just
amazing.Fave surfer
My girl Caroline Marks; I’m so proud of her and I’m
cheering for her to win the world title! Caroline is from
the east coast and there’s not many surfers who grow
up on the east coast and get on tour (other than Kelly
Slater).Staying fi t
I eat really healthy and when I travel I do a lot of
workouts on my own in my hotel room or wherever. At
home I’m really into pilates and yoga.Essential item
My journal. I love journalling and I write something down
everyday when I travel. I’ve been doing it for a couple of
years now and when I look back through my journal it’s
really cool.Motto
Stay true to yourself. A few years ago I would never
have seen myself where I am now and it’s crazy, you
just never know what’s going to happen. When you set
a goal you should just stick to it and let things happen
naturally. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be; and if not,
move on.Follow Leah @leahthompsonRIP CURL