My Hero, the regular that’s best read with Dave Grohl playing softly in your head, often strikes a familial chord. UK shredder Aimee Fuller picked her Nann, while MTB star Rachel Atherton chose her brother Dan and this week Devon’s finest surfer Sophie Hellyer has chosen to big up her big sister Laura. Here’s why

My sister is pretty much the only reason I started surfing. I would be out bodyboarding when we were kids and she would be ripping on a shortboard, and all I ever wanted was to be like her! She still rips all these years later. After winning the Women’s British Nationals at the age of about 15, Laura is now in  her 30s. She’s good enough to be sponsored head to toe, but she’s not, she’s not in it for the money or the free clothes. Laura surfs because she loves it. She charges all winter in the big swells at our local reefs and surfs uncrowded spots that are almost impossible to find. I think more girls need to be like Laura, and just forget the competitions, the sponsors, the money, and enjoy surfing. Surf because you love it.

Sophie Hellyer is a Cushe team rider. Get at more My Hero interviews here