Sarah Marafie

City of residence:  London

Profession: Designer / Director, Boodi Jewellery

“I moved to London when I was 19 from Kuwait, so I’ve been living here about 15 years. Looking at grey sky and grey buildings can get you down every now and again when all you want to do is feel the sun on your skin or run over some hills somewhere. There’s definitely a fight within myself to not be on laptops, phones, or watching tv I think, especially in the Winter. It can be quite easy to get into technology, hibernating, storing food mode.

I think that staying active and physical really helps your mood and mind in whatever scenario you’re in. Also eating really well, fuelling your body with goodness makes a real difference. I love living in London but my goal is to move by the sea eventually.

I had been following LGSC for a few months and thought it was a really great concept. I had been wanting to surf again for so long and only really not gone because I didn’t have friend that wanted to go, so when the trip came up, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to go on my own. It was in the UK, not too far, girls from the city wanting to surf like me. For me, surfing means trying something new and challenging myself and my body. I love the social aspect of it as well. It’s always great finding people who love the same things that you do and doing it together. For me there isn’t any better place to hang out than on a beach really.

I love the difference of the air when you leave the city. The fresh air, you can really feel it and the smell of the beach. I always feel really exhilarated after swimming in the sea or being on a boat. Sounds cheesy but it’s almost like the sea washes away any bad feelings or issues you’ve been having and gives you a new perspective. So that plus surfing and being active in the ocean, is a double whammy of exhilaration! There’s something spiritual about it too. Standing in the ocean, looking out to sea, hearing and feeling nothing but waves. I always feel cleansed, uplifted and excited about life after being in the ocean.” 

Katie Thompson

City of residence: London

Profession: Project manager, Natural History Museum

“Living in London definitely affects your mental health, it’s so easy to get wrapped up in fast-paced city life and feel as though you’re spending most of your time in the office or on the tube. I tend to spend most of my free time there seeing friends, going to galleries and doing yoga. There is so much to do in London that it’s easy to stay busy but sometimes I get the overwhelming need to get away from the city, see some greenery or get salt water on my face. Whenever I’m able to get out of the city and head to the seaside or countryside for a few days I always come back feeling like a new person.

I went surfing in Sagres in Portugal a year and a half ago and have been hooked ever since, it’s about having great fun but also challenging myself, falling and getting straight back up, slowly progressing and gaining confidence in the water.

I had some time off and didn’t know what to do with it and stumbled across LGSC on Instagram. I went along on my own and came back with a new gang of new friends, the girls on the trip were some of the loveliest, friendliest and funniest I have met. They all made the trip so fun, cheering each other on when we got up on the board and laughing when we fell off.

Getting away from the city now and then is really important to me. You can slow your pace down and reset. When you’re in the water you’re not thinking about your work or social obligations or looking at your phone every two minutes, you’re just enjoying yourself in the moment.” 

Find out more about Kylie and London Girls Surf Club here and join them on their next adventure!