Surf Girl – July 2019

92 SurfGirl Magazine

M

argarita where did you grow up in

Russia and what’s it like there?

I’m from Moscow. I love my hometown –

it’s beautiful. Russia is a huge country and

I’m grateful I got to grow up there. I love the four seasons

• I could skate, wakeboard and windsurf in summer, and
  snowboard in winter. It also has beautiful culture and
  history – I would highly recommend a visit!

How did you make the journey from growing up in

Russia to moving to Bali and Hawaii?

Thanks to my parents I travelled a lot as a kid, and once

I hit 18 I just started to travel with friends or on my own.

I had some time off and Indonesia came to my mind, so

I just booked a one-way ticket. Pretty classic story – it

was a one-month trip that turned into a year, and now it’s

been six years. Although over the last four years I’ve spent

more time on Oahu, Hawaii, and summers in Indo and

elsewhere.

How did you get into surfi ng?

I grew up doing all kinds of board sports – skating,

snowboarding, wakeboarding and windsurfi ng – and then

transferred to surfi ng.

And photography?

I’m actually an Industrial Designer; that’s what I studied

in college. Photography is an art and a diff erent way for

me to express my vision. I used to draw waves, and

once I started surf photography it just brought my art to a

diff erent, digital level. The camera is like an art tool that lets

me capture moments the way I see them and share my

vision with people.

What inspires you?

I get inspiration from nature, the ocean, people and my

thoughts.

What do you love about shooting waves?

No wave is exactly the same, ever. Each one is just a

moment in time and I can make it last forever.

Where’s your favourite place to shoot?

Pipeline, Hawaii. It’s beautiful and terrifying. It’s like a drug.

Who’s your fave crew to shoot with?

For the past few years I’ve worked with many diff erent

people. I’ve done a few trips with the Rip Curl team and

each one was absolutely epic. I also got to meet and work

with some amazing and talented people like Trent Mitchell,

Ted Grambeau, Ed Sloane, Lachlan Mckinnon, Scotty

Hammonds, Justin Jung and Nick Pollet. I also work with

Strider Wasilevski on his project Shade Sunscreen – it’s

been super fun and Strider is the coolest person to work

with.

See more of Margarita’s photos @margarita_salyak

TREVOR MURPHY

Margarita, at her day job. Pretty cool, huh?