Rising Fierce with Sophie Hellyer

Zennor Glass
May 23, 2018
4 min read

Updated: Mar 24, 2020

'I owe everything to my mother ocean.'

Sophie Hellyer has been everywhere we look recently, and we can't get enough of her. Hailing from the shores of North Devon and now settled in Ireland; this writer, producer, surfer, feminist, environmentalist (amongst other things) has been making waves recently for all the right reasons. From tackling sexism in the media to raising awareness for global issues, we're starting to believe there is nothing that she cannot do.

Rumour has it that you're a fellow North Devonian, where is your favourite home beach?

Yes! I grew up in Westward Ho, my family still live there and I’m very fond of it. Its really similar to where I live now in Ireland. There's a couple of beaches I love but they are hidden gems so I’m going to keep them to myself, part of their beauty is their remoteness.

Can you tell us a bit about what you're up to at the moment? What does a typical day look like for you? Typical day, I wake up around 6.30am everyday (I don’t like curtains so I wake up with the sunrise). I cycle or skate down to the slip way and meet my #risefierce tribe for a morning cold water swim, followed by a quick hot shower and sauna. I then head home and make breakfast, normally some home made bread or porridge, and a smoothie. I do rocket yoga 5 days a week at 9.15 am -10.30 so then from 11 i try to settle down on my computer and get back to emails and personal projects. I work freelance as a writer and producer and often travel for work, so sometimes my life looks totally different but I always try and keep healthy eating, yoga & cold water swimming in my daily routine wherever I am. If there is good surf all my plans go out the window and you’ll find me in the ocean.

Why do you think it's important to spend time outside in nature? In what ways do you like to do this?

Spending time in nature and in the ocean is the most important thing for me, its a cure to anxiety and depression and keeps me grounded and present. The closer I am to nature the more aware of environmental issues I become too. If everyone could come down to the beach and actually see the plastic pollution I’m sure they wouldn’t so readily buy plastic water bottles.

How long have you been surfing for and what gets you stoked for a great surf session?

I started surfing when I was 13 or 14. I grew up by the ocean and spent my childhood playing in the ocean. I love surfing with my girl friends here at home, its great paddling into the line up with other women, such a good vibe. I love a good loud tune too, Spotify is the best. Also, keeping warm is very important!

What do you like to do when you're not surfing? I cold water swim most days, yoga, skating, I just bought a new racing bike so maybe I’ll be cycling more as I don’t have a car any more. I’m also learning the piano and nothing beats a cosy quiet evening by the fire trying to master a new tune.

If you were any kind of animal, what would you be and why?

OOOoo. The sea otter is my favourite marine mammal. Maybe that. All of the reasons. Why not?

How did you become involved in your local community gardens, and how do you think we can all work to create a sense of community in today's hectic world?

When I moved to Ireland I met Matt and Feral Smith through my friend Mitch Corbett (we used to surf on the British team together when we were kids). These 3 guys are the blood, sweat and broken backs behind the amazing project that is Moy Hill Farm. I got stuck in collecting trees for seeds, weeding beds and planting veg. It gave me a whole new connection to my food, from planting the little seedling, watering and weeding, watching it grow, harvesting and cooking. You start to realise what real food is and wonder what the hell is in most processed crap. The Moy Hill community were the reason I moved to Ireland. Definitely keep an eye out for your local community garden or CSA/ local organic produce farms. And if there's not one where you live and you have free time, there is always lots of funding available to start these projects.

As a surfer and environmentalist, what advice can you give us on how to look after our oceans more? Some simple things you can carry with you or use in the home to stop the need for single use plastic…

1. Water Bottle – I carry my metal water bottle everywhere with me, and most places will refill it when you are out.

2. Reusable Shopping Tote Bag – Absolutely essential.

3. Keep Cup – Disposable Coffee Cups are my pet peeve. It is estimated that 500 billion disposable cups are discarded to landfill every year.

4. Spork – My wooden spork now comes everywhere with me, I get hungry a lot on the go and plastic cutlery is part of the 138 pieces of food and drink-related waste found every 100 metres of UK beaches. I used to have a plastic spork but it snapped in half after a couple of weeks, so I’d recommend a wooden one.

5. Wooden Knife - hand luggage friendly.

6. Shampoo bars and conditioners bars from places like Lush cosmetics.

7. Chopsticks - look trendy whilst getting rice on your face.

8. A metal or bamboo straw - cocktail and smoothie essential.

9. A reusable food container.

10. Bamboo Toothbrush.

What inspires you to lead the life you live?

Protecting the ocean and promoting its well being is at the core of everything I do. I owe everything to my mother ocean.

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

Being in the sea makes me feel like I am truly myself, it makes me feel I’m home.

Follow Sophie's adventures:

Instagram: @sophiehellyer