Hometown: Dana Point, CA
Current Home: Los Angeles, CA
Boards I Brought: 9’5” Noserider, 6’6” Mini Gun, 5’8” Quad Shortboard, 4’11” “Zipper” all shaped by Tyler Warren
Favorite Suits: Darla Set, Maggie Top + Flor Bottom, Maxine One Piece, Dara Surf Suit, Pacific One Piece, Rosita One Piece, Eden Set, Royale Board Short, Sila Top
1. What was your favorite session from the trip?
It is so hard to pick one favorite session from the trip. Surf-wise, we scored this wave, Dog Reef, an afternoon early in the trip. It was sheet glass and perfect head-high, rippable lefts with some sweet tube sections. Our morning session that day was messy and gnarly, so that session felt like a reward for the beatings we had taken. It was so good that I was completely unfazed after I got dragged on the reef a few times. I got cut all over my thigh, back, and forearm, and even had my watch ripped off by the rocks. It didn’t seem to matter--the waves were that fun!
Aside from surfing, an experience I really enjoyed was snorkeling in front of Vaya. It was mind-blowing how much biodiversity and life existed just 10-20 feet out from our place. I saw all kinds of fish, coral, sponges, giant clams, cowries, and more. They came in every color under the sun, and my time out there was really peaceful.
Lulu and Kira Crage snorkeling in the Mentawais.
2. What was your favorite Seea piece you wore during the trip, and why?
Either the Darla set or the Dara Surf suit. I spent so much time shortboarding on the trip. Between ripping turns, eating it, and duckdiving, the last thing I want to worry about is something falling out of place. The time it takes to readjust adds up! I found that the C-skin material stays in place so well, even on a cute cut like the Darla. I also loved the Royale boardies for some extra sun coverage. They are so lightweight--some of the best boardshorts I have ever surfed in.
Lulu in the Darla Bikini in Cappuccino along side Sophia Arky enjoying the boat ride from the break.
3. Most of us arrived as strangers on short notice. Looking back, what surprised you most about the experience and the connections that came out of it?
I loved my time with the crew so much. One thing I really enjoyed was our meals together. It was so refreshing to have that time to reflect and connect, learn snippets of new languages and understand a new culture.
After leaving Indonesia, Kira and I traveled a bit in New Zealand together. It is so easy to get close with people quickly, especially when you have so much in common and spend so much time immersed in a place together. Sometimes it is difficult to translate this feeling back into “real life” or my normal routine. It was really cool to continue exploring new places with a new friend and reinvent my idea of normal.
4. What is something you'll take away from your time surfing with Tika?
Surfing is so universal, yet there is still a barrier to entry for women, even in a place like the Mentawais where waves are so abundant. We noticed there weren’t many women in the water. I really loved meeting Tika and the perspective it offered. I really admire Tika. It takes a lot to break barriers while maintaining a family, responsibilities, and womanhood.
It is a nice reminder that we all have an opportunity to make the ocean and surfing accessible and enjoyable for everyone. It is so important to deeply celebrate and amplify the women like Tika who are paving the way for others in their communities to be able to enjoy the waves.
The Seea Mentawais team (left) Tika, Madison, Emily, Sophia, Lulu, Kira (right).
5. What is one thing this trip taught you about surfing, travel, community, or yourself?
This trip taught me so much. I think I’ll continue coming up with lessons for a long time.
One lesson is that the journey is always worth it for a new experience. We lugged around duffels and board bags through multiple airports, hotels, cars, and ferries for over two days to get to Vaya. I love meeting new people and experiencing new cultures, but sometimes the distance and travel time can be intimidating. As soon as we got there, though, it was instantly worth it.
The water was warm, and the scenery was mind-blowing. The Mentawais are certainly a utopic place.
Immersing myself in a new place and making new friends is so important to me. That said, this trip also reminded me how amazing my life back home is. I am so blessed to have grown up in California and to be able to surf world-class waves all the time.
When I meet new people, I love the idea of integrating them into my life by showing them my own home and introducing them to more of my friends. This trip was so amazing, and I can’t wait to visit again or to show these new friends Los Angeles and my community back home if and when the time presents itself!
The team made so many incredible connections on their trip!
6. What is something about the Vaya experience that exceeded your expectations?
Vaya was absolutely incredible. One thing in particular that blew me away was the food and our shared meals together. I cherished the time that we all took after a long day to eat dinner as a group. These daily recaps helped to solidify each day for me by offering time for connection and gratitude.
7. If someone won this trip tomorrow, what would you tell them to be most excited about?
It really is hard to pick one aspect of the Vaya experience. Each day offers something special, whether it be the first bite of a Beng-Beng after a long surf, a memorable wave, or time spent relaxing by the pool.
Between all of the experiences offered at Vaya, the people are really what make it special. I especially loved learning about Indonesian and Mentawai culture, listening to the Vaya family play guitar and sing, and getting to know everyone. The friendships you’ll make will be life-changing!
8. When you look back on your life, do you notice any recurring themes, lessons, or patterns? Did any of them show up during this trip?
About two and a half years ago, I went through a lot of change really quickly. It seemed like the universe was doling out one blow after the other. It took some time, but during that period of my life I realized that you can always spin things that happen to you more positively to work in your favor.
When I lost my job last November, I initially was so stressed about what I would do next. Then, I had a job opportunity fall through right as this Mentawais trip came up. Obviously, it felt like the universe was pushing me in a different direction than I’d been going and reminded me that things always work out when we choose to look for opportunity and manifest the things we really want.
On that note, recently, a friend of mine was telling me about a psychology study she’d read about luck and lucky people. She told me that people who consider themselves lucky were found to be better at noticing and creating opportunities, trusting their gut, and remaining positive and resilient. Thus, luck is all about perspective and a positive outlook. When we trust that the universe and others are working in our favor, we manifest positivity and life-changing opportunities.
This trip was no different. It really helped me to slow down, enjoy the moment, and remember how lucky I am!
9. When you look back on this trip, what do you think it was trying to give you?
I think this trip offered me time to slow down and trust the process. It was a great reminder to say yes and live life to the fullest. Ever since our time in the Mentawais, I have been using that as a north star and guiding principle. Saying yes set off a domino effect this year and led me on many life changing adventures already.
