Age: 24
Hometown: Redondo Beach, California. I’m super grateful to have grown up by the ocean and still call it home today.
My top 10 favorite Seea suits from this trip would have to be:
The Pacific One Piece, Rosita One Piece, Carmen One Piece, The Belania Playsuit, Dara Surf Suit, Sila Top, Arianne One Piece, Valentina Surf Suit, Caroline Surf Suit, and The Eden Bikini Set.
Boards I Brought: 5 '9 shortboard, 6' 7 midlength, and 9 '3 longboard, all custom and hand-shaped by the incredibly talented Dan Cobley out of Hermosa Beach, California.
The ocean has always been my greatest love and teacher, shaping so much of who I am, both as a surfer and as a person. It has given me countless amazing experiences and led me to a life centered around surfing, travel, and community. I run a surf therapy program and am deeply passionate about creating meaningful experiences that connect people to the healing powers of the ocean.
I believe that the ocean has a unique and magical way of bringing people together and reminding us of what truly matters. It gives us the opportunity to connect with people from different walks of life, travel, share waves, and experience the beauty of the world around us with gratitude and appreciation.
1. What was your favorite session from the trip?
My favorite session from this trip had to be at Nipussi. We had already surfed twice that morning and decided to check it before heading back to Vaya for lunch. We had already surfed twice that morning and were planning to head back to Vaya for lunch, but we decided to do one last check. Even though we were exhausted from back-to-back sessions with some solid surf and the time change, the waves were simply too perfect to pass up.
The moment we saw the breathtaking scenery and the beautiful waves breaking in front of us, we immediately suited up and jumped off the dinghy. While surfing, I met some incredibly kind locals and people from all over the world who had traveled to the Mentawais several times and shared that they had never seen the waves so perfect.
About twenty minutes into our session, a storm rolled in with thunder and lightning, forcing us to paddle in and wait safely on the dinghy. Throughout that time we laughed a lot, shared stories, ate snacks, and soaked in the surreal feeling of floating in the middle of the Indian Ocean, waiting for the storm to pass. When the sky finally cleared, we paddled right back out to a perfect, empty right. It felt like a dream come true! Sharing that magical session with such inspiring people in one of the most beautiful places on earth is a memory I will carry with me forever.
Sophia surfing some perfect waves at Nipussi.
2. What was your favorite Seea piece you wore during the trip, and why?
My favorite Seea piece during the trip was the Dara Surf Suit! It quickly became my go to for every session because it offered the perfect balance of comfort, protection, and style. After spending countless hours in the sun and the water, the Dara made it easy to go from one surf session to the next while still feeling comfortable and confident. It became an essential part of my trip and is truly one of my favorite surf suits I’ve ever worn.
Sophia in between waves in The Dara surf suit in Island.
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?
Even though we all arrived as strangers, what surprised me the most was how quickly we built such genuine connections rooted in trust, empowerment, love, and support. This group was truly one of a kind! In such a short amount of time, we created a bond that felt incredibly special and shared an experience that none of us will ever forget. Every single person on this journey brought something beautiful to it - they were kind, empathetic, respectful, ambitious, grateful, and full of joy. We may have started as strangers, but we left feeling like family.
The team (Sophia, Lulu Erkeneff, Kira Crage and Emily Puy) helping to load boards for their next session.
4. What is something you'll take away from your time surfing with Tika?
My time meeting and surfing with Tika left me deeply inspired. Watching her courage, kindness, the love and appreciation she has for her community reminded me that surfing is so much more than riding waves - it’s about connection, culture, and the people who share it with you. She welcomed us into her home with such warmth and generosity, and I’m so grateful to have met her and learned about her experience of becoming a surfer as a woman in Indonesia. Meeting Tika was truly a gift and I’ll never forget our memories shared together.
5. What is one thing this trip taught you about surfing, travel, community, or yourself?
This trip taught me so many lessons, but one of the biggest was to slow down and be fully present. While surfing, I learned to release the need to force anything and instead appreciate every wave, every sunrise, sunset, every rain shower, and every moment nature gave me. It reminded me that I’m braver and more capable than I sometimes believe and that, even in moments of fear, I am strong enough to trust myself. There wasn’t a moment that passed by where I didn't feel immense gratitude for being present in such a magical part of the world.
Beyond surfing, the Mentawai lifestyle showed me how beautiful and simple life can be. Experiencing a culture and community so different from my own was truly a gift. Learning from the locals, making an effort to learn their language, culture, traditions, understanding their backgrounds and life stories left me feeling grounded, humbled, and deeply appreciative. I can honestly say that the people of the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia are among the kindest, most welcoming people I have ever met throughout my travels. I came home with a greater appreciation for community, human connection, and the simple things in life that matter the most.
6. What is something about the Vaya experience that exceeded your expectations?
Our stay at Vaya exceeded my expectations in every way! The location was breathtaking, peaceful, beautiful, and alive - but it was the people that made it unforgettable. The kindness, warmth, and hospitality of everyone there, especially Emily and the local staff, made us feel so welcomed and cared for. I’m incredibly grateful for the memories we created at Vaya and for the opportunity to experience such a special place with such wonderful people. It truly felt like a home away from home.
7. If someone won this trip tomorrow, what would you tell them to be most excited about?
If someone won this trip tomorrow, I would tell them to get ready to have their life changed in every way possible. There is truly nothing like an adventure to the Mentawai Islands and to have the opportunity to stay in such an incredible place like Vaya. You’ll feel at home, deeply connected, and grounded from the moment you arrive. You’ll be surrounded by peace, beauty, hospitality, love, and nature every single day. The waves are absolutely perfect, the reefs are so alive and beautiful and the ocean so blue and breathtaking. But more than anything, it’s the people and sense of connection you’ll feel that makes this place so special. It’s not just a surf trip - it’s an experience that changes the way you see the world and life.
Thank you to Sophia for being such a welcoming, supportive and beautiful soul! We are so lucky to share the ocean with you!
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