Hannah Stowe

We'll start with the most important question: where is your favourite beach (if you can just pick one) and why?

Picking one beach is harrrrdddd. I think its a toss up between Porth Melgan in Pembrokeshire (where I grew up), Prussia Cove and Big Bay in South Africa. That one isn't so pretty but the whales! You get amazing southern right whale viewings from the beach. Thats pretty special.

As a keen surfer, climber and skater (amongst many others), why do you think it's important for people to spend time outside or in the ocean?

I once made a new years resolution to never let a whole day pass without spending time outside, it was the easiest resolution ever! I think for me, its really easy to get wrapped up in my own thoughts and in my own head. Being outside just reminds me that the world is so much larger than myself, and makes me feel small in the best way. The outdoors, especially the coast, is an endless source of inspiration. At the moment, I'm obsessed with the energy transfers that go towards shaping the landscape. Reminds me that where you put your energy is where things happen. As for spending time in the sea, especially when you slip in without a wetsuit, it just feels like coming home every time.

You've recently launched your awesome Slightly Salty apparel range, (we are in LOVE with the beanies), what was the drive behind launching your own merch and how did you find the process? Were you excited opening your first box of beanies?

Well, not that many people know this, but when I first finished school, I did a foundation diploma in textile design. I kinda hated it at the time, especially as I did it in London, which was just the wrong fit for me. I've always liked the idea of starting a business, and was looking for something I could do alongside uni, and can pretty much never be found without a beanie on my head, so it just seemed like the right thing to do! In the future, I have plans with an awesome friend (https://www.pelicanhousesc.com/collections/all) to collaborate on an activewear line, and maybe some bikini prints. I would also like to bring out a knit jumper and am working on some whale sweaters at the moment. I just want to make great basics that can be a staple in peoples collections. Oh man, I was so excited, I think i will be changing the design for the next batch of beanies and tees and I like to keep one of everything, so new stuff for me!

What would the perfect weekend adventure look like to you?

Oh that's hard, but when I've recovered a bit from surgery, I am really looking forward to sailing round to Durgan from Penryn with a friend, spending some time free diving/snorkelling there, then maybe taking the boat on a little explore round the Carrick roads. Good food, cold water, and a fire! Just a small one, but one I can't wait for.

What inspired you to become a yoga teacher and what are your favourite asanas?

I actually came to yoga through a shoulder injury, which I was told I would need surgery to correct. I wasn't so sure about that, and asked for 6 months to see what I could do myself, it was a long and consistent process, but I got myself to a place where I didn't need it, which was amazing. From there, I was just hooked. At first it was just the postures, but the mental benefits, increased self confidence and body awareness yoga has given me are beyond amazing. I actually haven't had any sort of physical practise for around 3 months now, due to a spinal injury (currently writing this from my hospital bed!), but my meditation practise has truly kept me sane through this difficult time. Thats a funny one, 2 years ago, I though meditation wasn't for me, and would always say I got my meditation through movement. Turns out, you can't take movement for granted! I think anyone from any of my classes can agree, I love to light up a good fire in the core, so there will always be some plank in there somewhere. I love to find creative and graceful transitions between asanas, feels like you are choreographing a dance. But ultimately, I think pincha mayurasana, or the scorpion variation is the one for me. Its hard not to be totally in the moment in a pose like that.

Your enthusiasm for seeking adventure is pretty infectious, what gets you stoked for life?

Man, I actually don't know how to put my finger on it, I actually always get asked by friends how I'm so motivated and get so much stuff done. I guess I have a lot of energy and am quite a passionate person. I am also at a point where everything I do in my life really lights me up inside, so that makes it a lot easier. Also the idea that life is happening right now, and I want to be a part of it! Don't get me wrong, I have my sloth days too, mostly in the winter.

You're currently studying Marine Biology, what do you think about the state of ocean health at the moment and what can we do to help look after it?

I think ocean health is such a sad one, as we are having such a huge affect, but I think people are so far removed from it, that its hard to get people to truly care/see the consequences for the actions. To be honest, things like ocean acidification and micro plastics aren't really my forte, most of my interest/reading is around marine mammals, particularly artic species. Arctic cetaceans (whales and dolphins) such as beluga and narwhal are what we call K selected species, meaning, they reproduce and adapt REALLY slowly. No one really has a great idea what global warming and the ice melts will have on these creatures. Will they expand their habitat, or get outcompeted as other species are able to move further north due to the rise in sea temperatures. My guess would be the latter. I know its repeated a lot, but we can all look at what we can do to reduce carbon emissions. I also personally try to use as few single use plastics as possible. Get yourself a Keep Cup (they have an amazing R2-D2 one I really want right now), grab yourself a stainless steel straw, carry a fork and water bottle in your bag, pick up a bamboo tooth brush and a canvas shopping bag. Even that would make a big difference if everyone did it.

We love how open you are with sharing your dreams with your followers, what advice do you have for other people on overcoming their fears and chasing their goals?

Yeah, its a funny one, I feel like I always keep stuff to myself until I am absolutely sure that I am going to do it. Then if you put it out there, you never know what help and support you will get. Hmmm, I find it funny, as friends and family always comment that I seem 'fearless', but really, there is no such animal! Things scare the crap out of me all the time, but if you can push past that, you always find the best experiences. As for advice to others, I would say care less about what other people think of you (people you don't know, the opinions of your loved ones are golden). You owe it yourself to dream big, and get to work on your dreams. And if you want something, you are going to have to work hard for it!

What do the next couple of years have in store for you?

The next few years are going to be mega exciting, its odd, as its actually the furthest I've ever really planned ahead! So long term plans are to conduct acoustics cetacean research from a sail boat, preferably in the arctic on beluga and narwhal. Its an area I've worked in before, and I thinking I have value and skills to add. This summer, I will be doing my dissertation project, again on cetacean habitat and acoustics, somewhere in the UK, but details not yet confirmed. I'm currently saving for my boat, then when I graduate, I'm going to sail an atlantic crossing as its something I've always wanted to do! Spend a year cruising round the Caribbean, collecting data the whole time, either for myself or someone else, maybe through the Panama canal, spend a little time in Cali, take the boat to Hawaii, then back to real work. I'll either apply for a PhD, or independent funding, and head up to the Arctic!

It's big, and a lot to do, but anything purchased from my shop goes towards me buying my boat, and once I have got that, I will be putting a crowd funding campaign together for research equipment, so stay tuned!

Can you describe in one sentence how being in the sea makes you feel?

Mmmmmm, at home, small, connected, myself, everything, always.

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Instagram: @hannahlilystowe