Seea sat down with Star (California) and Cash (Hawaii) to learn more about their friendship, how they got into surfing and what it is like to travel the world with your besties! On their trip to Palawan they experienced lush jungle, peeling beach breaks, mesmerizing rice fields, and the warmest people! Every morning they would start the day with rice, two sunny side up eggs and cucumbers. Experience their trip in Hearts of Palawan and learn more about Star and Cash in the Q&A below.
Photo and Video by Banna Bazzarie
1. How did you get into surfing? Did you always love it?
Cash Hoover: I got into surfing when I was 4 because of my dad, so it’s what I grew up knowing! I have definitely always loved it, especially because surfing has brought me so many amazing people and memories.
Star Delia: I always loved the water and the sea, and when I was younger we spent our time at the beach playing. When I was around 9 I think surfing really started to interest me, all my friends surfed and it seemed so fun. I had stopped playing soccer and I wasn't very into organized sports. I think surfing was perfect because I love the water and you can do it on your own time. My dad and mom would take me all the time after school, and I fell in love. I always loved it, I love the feeling and being in the ocean. I also love all the amazing people it's brought me.
2. When you were younger, what did you dream about becoming? Do you feel like you're accomplishing some of those dreams now?
CH: When I was younger, I definitely had an image of becoming a pro surfer and making the WSL tour! I am definitely proud to say that I just made the WSL longboard tour 2026/27 season in January! I couldn’t be more excited and proud!
SD: When I was little I would watch Avatar the Last Airbender, and it inspired my dreams of traveling the world with friends, and adventuring. Then in middle school my dream of getting on the WSL longboard tour began. The women on tour always really inspired me. I'm definitely achieving my dreams. I am so grateful for my friends and family. I love camping, surfing and adventuring with them. There's lots of ocean out there to explore. I haven't made it on tour yet, I'll do the qs next year and maybe it will happen, only time will tell.
3. Star, how would you describe Cash's style? Cash, how would you describe Star's style?
CH: When I think of Star's style, I think of a fairy! She’s so fun and cool to watch, and who doesn’t like fairies? Who doesn’t love Star and her lovely surfing! She can also charge bigger waves! I realized that when she came to visit me in Hawaii and broke both of her boards in the first 2 weeks haha!
SD: I would describe Cash's styles as nonchalant, she’s always doing crazy stuff but somehow makes it look soooo easy. Her arms are never going crazy, it’s amazing! Cash has amazing flow, and her turns are getting more insane every day (she's AI). Also her wave pool skills go crazy.
4. Tell us a bit about your surf schedules! What is it like traveling around the world surfing and competing?
CH: I absolutely love traveling wether it’s a 5 hour plane ride to get to California or 10 hours to Australia. I think traveling is such an important thing to experience. I am usually gone from home (Hawaii) from late spring into early winter. Then I get a few months at home, and after that I'm usually ready to leave again!
SD: At home my schedule has fluctuated a lot depending on how much I'm working, in school, or traveling. I usually go to the harbor around 8 and surf for like 2 hours. I love sunset, and sometimes I'll get on a good kick and go for sunrise for a bit, it's always nice when that happens. Traveling and surfing is so joyous, it opens my eyes to the bigger world, it brings amazing people and sights. Traveling as a surfer is so lovely because wherever I am headed there is a community of people there who are in love with the ocean and surfing just like me. It lays a beautiful foundation for connection and friendship.
5. What are your favorite parts of visiting a new country?
CH: My favorite part of traveling is meeting new people and making friends at new surf spots! You get to make friends from all over the world who surf! And of course, trying new things from different cultures!
SD: Seeing the new ocean, waves, and nature. Meeting new people, and trying new foods. Also seeing somewhere you only hear about is fun, be able to take it all in for yourself.
6. How did you two become friends? What were your first impressions of each other?
CH: We became friends through competing, but at first, we definitely weren’t friends. I might have caused a back paddling incident in a heat, but there was only the gentlemen’s rule, and I was probably 13! After a year or so, we instantly clicked, and now I feel like I have the older sister I've always wanted. Star is my best friend and definitely a part of our family! Plus, our dads love each other and are BFFs now because of us.
SD: Our first impression wasn't too great hahah. We met at a Queen of The Point event and things got sassy in the water, and we didn't like each other much after that (p.s. It was definitely Cash's fault). From my memory, we just became best friends one day, I didn't remember the altercation till like a year into being friends. Then I was like, "Oh that was cash hahah." I am so grateful to have Cash in my life. It's like having another sister. She is part of the family! Our families love each other too, our dads will chat for hours on the beach. They are so cute!
7. What is it like to share so many cool surf trips and experiences with your best friend? How does that change the way you surf and view surfing?
CH: I think the best surf trips are with your best friends! My friends and I have gotten to surf in Mexico, Australia, and a lot of summers in Cali. I think it makes you a happier person to share epic new waves with your best friend! I also get so much more motivated to surf when my friends are around, and we get to share waves and do something we love together. 10/10 experience!
SD: It's so exciting! It's also so lovely to feel like I have a family when I'm traveling without mine. I know Uncle Dirk and Aunty Shellybear are there for me (Cash's parents). Cash helps keep me inspired, and helps me push myself competitively. It is nice to have each other at contests to support one another.
8. What inspires you about the other person?
CH: Star inspires me to be a kinder person! Everyone loves Star, how couldn’t you! She makes everyone around her smile, and she’s always down to do anything. She’s very outdoorsy and down to surf. She’s someone I look up to in so many ways, and I'm grateful to have her in my life!
SD: Cash's determination, confidence, and consistency. She recently qualified for the WSL tour At 16!!! So proud and happy for her. She inspires me to be confident, and focus on my goals, she also inspires me to have fun.
9. What are some of your future goals in surfing? Where would you like to see yourself in 10 years?
CH: My future goal in surfing is definitely to win a world title on tour or more than one! I would love to make a couple of epic surf movies with all my friends in some super cool places.
SD: My future goals are to go on a surfing boat trip with friends. Explore more of Mexico and the Philippines, make some fun surf films, and to make it on the WSL tour once. In ten years, I hope to see myself frolicking with friends and family, creating art in and out of surfing. Maybe doing some journalism work. Be at a place where booking travel doesn't stress me out so much (self-inflicted torture). Plus I hope all those other goals are accomplished.
10. Why do you love to surf?
CH: I love surfing because it brings me so much happiness. Surfing has brought me almost all my best friends, and I get to spend time with my dad almost every day. He's my personal Uber to the beach! Surfing has allowed me to visit crazy new places from Abu Dhabi to Portugal, and I am so grateful for all the experiences!
SD: I just do. The water, the love, the power, the kindness, the peace. It helps me when I am feeling down, and when I'm happy it makes me even happier. Thank you earth!
