Vintage Marshlands ►►

 

Bikini/Insight | Kimono/Billabong | Jewels/Puka Kisses + Peaceful Mind



▴▴◇☽◆☾◇▴▴ LIVE FAST. DIE YOUNG. BE WILD. HAVE FUN. -LDR  ▴▴◇☽◆☾◇▴▴

Tahiti Talks with Reef Athletes // Tia Blanco

  

When I first met Tia Blanco in Tahiti I was blown away. Gorgeous, sweet, wise beyond her years. And then I saw her surf... Woah. This humble beauty was killing it in waves way over her head with the confidence of a surfer with twice the experience. Her polished maneuvers and insightful approach is sure to take her surfing career to new levels, and her genuine, loveable demeanor will have the world enamored. Such a fan of this girl and can't wait to see her take the world by storm!

INTRODUCE YOURSELF, LET'S START WITH NAME, AGE AND HOMETOWN:
Tia, 15, San Clemente

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SURFING?
I have been surfing for 12 years now. I learned to surf at 3 years old. When I was 12 years old thats when I started practicing hard and competing in contest.

WAS THERE ONE MAIN PERSON IN YOUR LIFE THAT INFLUENCED YOU OR INSPIRED YOU TO SURF MORE THAN ANYONE?
My dad is my inspiration to surf. He was the person who taught me how to surf and is my favorite person to surf with. I wouldn't be who I am today without my dad!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BOARDS TO SURF RIGHT NOW?
My favorite boards are my 5'6 and 5'4 J7 boards. They work amazing and are incredibly fun to ride.

ON WHAT I THINK WAS OUR THIRD DAY IN TAHITI, YOU CHARGED OVERHEAD TEAHU'POO! IT WAS SUCH A COOL MOMENT FOR ME TO WATCH, WHAT WERE THINKING AND FEELING?
At first I was scared and didn't want to do it, but everyone was so encouraging! They helped me overcome my fears and get passed all my negative thoughts. It was for sure one of the best moments in my life with all the Tahitian locals and the boats cheering for me and watching me get the best waves of my life! It was an unforgettable experience.

HOW WAS IT HAVING RAIMANA TOW YOU IN ON THE SKI? DID YOU LIKE HAVING HIS GUIDANCE ON THE TRIP?
Honestly, I don't know what I would do without Raimana being there! He was so helpful with all his local knowledge and his support for Paige and I. By the end of the trip I got to know Raimana very well and he is like an Uncle to me.

 DO YOU THINK THAT GAVE YOU SOME EXTRA CONFIDENCE GOING INTO THE CONTEST THE FOLLOWING WEEK?
 Surfing Teahu'poo was a very good warm-up for the Pro-Junior in Tahiti. Raimana kept telling me at Teahu'poo, "You can do anything if you set your mind to it". So I had that same mindset going into the
contest.

WHEN YOU'RE FREE SURFING DO YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL STYLE IN THE LINEUP?
While I am surfing my style is usually bright colors. Volcom makes many bright bikinis, cover ups, and board shorts so its perfect. I love bright surf equipment because it just gives me that summer feeling even when it's mid winter. Plus it makes your skin look tanner ;)

AFTER HAVING SO MUCH FUN PLAYING DRESS UP WITH YOU EVERY DAY IN TAHITI, I AM COMING TO CALIFORNIA AND WE ARE GOING SHOPPING FOR SURE! :) WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ITEM IN YOUR CLOSET RIGHT NOW?
I wish you can dress me every single day! I can't wait to go shopping with you. Right now my favorite thing in my closet is my tight black volcom dress. It fits perfectly on just about anyone and has pink,

purple, and yellow flowers on it. Its to die for. 

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT TAHITI?
 I don't really have one favorite part. Everything was just so magical. There was clear water, perfect tanning weather, amazing stylists dressing me, incredible food 3 times a day, and unbelievable waves. It was the best trip of my life!

Tahiti Talks with Reef Athletes // Paige Maddison

 

 photos: Paige Maddison + Dane Peterson

Sharing close quarters and working long hours on the shoot in Tahiti, I had the pleasure of getting to spend lots of time with the two beautiful and talented Reef athletes on the trip. It felt less like work and more like playing dress up and free surfing... so many girly giggles and lady waves were shared with the lovely Paige Maddison and Tia Blanco. I sat down and asked both the girls some questions about themselves, surfing, and what makes these mermaids so special. The first round was with Paige, a lovely Aussie lady logger who has as much grace and style on land as she does in the water. 

INTRODUCE YOURSELF! LET'S START WITH NAME, AGE AND HOMETOWN.
Paige Maddison, aged 22, Noosa Heads QLD.

 HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SURFING? WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BOARDS TO RIDE?
I caught my first few waves around the age of 16. I generally surf waves that are in the chest high and under range, so i like to ride heavier single fin style logs.

WAS THERE ONE MAIN PERSON IN YOUR LIFE THAT INFLUENCED YOU OR INSPIRED YOU TO SURF MORE THAN ANYONE?
Not really, I'm the only one in my family that surfs and I've never really got into the history of surfing, I just enjoy it for my own pleasure and try not to get swept up in everything else that comes along with it. It was obvious to me at an early age that surfing was a way of life, and i liked it a lot. I remember getting up with my girlfriend at the crack of dawn, we would pack a picnic of fruits and go take photos of the sunrise then go for a surf. I never get tired of the peace and quiet from an early rise, its my favourite time of day.

YOU LOOKED AMAZING IN LITERALLY EVERY LOOK WE STYLED YOU IN, I THINK YOU COULD PULL OFF JUST ABOUT ANYTHING! HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?
Ahhh Alexandra you sweet thing, I personally feel i haven't been able to create my own personal style so to speak. Where i live on the Sunshine Coast lacks any real fashion or inspirational atmosphere. The inspiration i do find generally comes from blogs and my friends.
On any given day you can generally find me combining garments that incorporate Vintage, American Indian, and elegant or more chic wear.

DO YOU THINK WHERE YOU'RE FROM SHAPED YOUR PERSONAL STYLE ON LAND AND IN THE WATER? WHAT'S A POPULAR TREND IN NOOSA RIGHT NOW?
No, there's no real hub for fashion in my local area. Because of this, I feel fashion trends are always about 6 months behind Sydney or Melbourne etc. In saying that, bright/fluorescent colours in swim wear, and floral patters for outerwear are the norm presently.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PIECE IN YOUR CLOSET RIGHT NOW?
Favourite piece would have to be my G-star jeans, black Reef 'deckhand' shoes and my army green trench coat. Im excited for winter and to be able to wear boots, scarves, jeans, jackets and beanies!

MY FAVORITE PART OF SHOOTING WITH YOU IN TAHITI WAS WHEN WE DID UNDERWATER SHOTS. YOU ARE SUCH A GRACEFUL LITTLE MERMAID! DESCRIBE THE FEELING YOU GET WHEN YOU'RE IN THE OCEAN.
Haha that was so much fun on the great big coral head! That day was so amazing. Just being able to equalise deep underwater and have the human body capable of adapting in those situations is something that shouldn't be taken for granted. The feeling that i get when i'm in the ocean is somewhat different with each occurrence, but mainly peaceful and refreshing. Whether you're just exploring underwater or waiting to catch a wave, it is therapeutic for me and I feel it presents a restorative energy.

DID YOU ENJOY SURFING IN TAHITI? (MINUS TAKING A BOARD TO THE RIBS! YOU'RE SO TOUGH!)
Minus taking my log to the ribs. Surfing in Tahiti was a whole new world for me. There were definitely times where i felt I was way in over my head, but over all I believe It has broadened my perspective on surfing and helped my confidence.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT TAHITI? 
Meeting all you amazing girls, Ceviche and learning about Fa'afafine's.

Tahiti, Tiares and a Reef Photo Shoot | Part 2

  

The pace of updates to the blog has definitely been slowed due to my current location's lack of consistent internet...
But part of me feels blessed for the slow motion process of documentation of my travels. It really allows me to marinate and resonate on every aspect of the trip without missing a detail. It also is an excellent reminder that, as rapidly are the changes occuring in my life at the moment, it was only a month or so ago that I was back in the states in my pre-journey grind, anticipating the excitement of the wonderment I am now experiencing firsthand.

 So many firsts experienced in Tahiti...
First time surfing off a boat, first time doing step-offs the jet ski, first time experiencing the French Polynesia... The waves, although I expected them to be fierce and powerful as Teahu'po most definitely is, were surprisingly fun and playful and there were plenty of perfect lefts and rights to be enjoyed. And the food! Ohhh the food. Asian cuisine prepared by the French?! I was in heaven. I witnessed coconut milk made from scratch to be prepared with the freshest Sashimi Tuna and array of diced veggies for the most amazing dish, Poisson Cru. Baguettes were served at every meal and breakfast consisted of delicious french press coffee, cheese and fruit. Just hearing French spoken in a tropical backdrop was surreal and dreamy.

My favorite times of day were early in the morning when the light cascaded the most incredible shades of blue that ran into one another..the sky, the ocean, there was no separation. Just blues upon blues...
And at night, there were more stars in the sky than blackness. I can honestly say in all of my travels I've never seen that many stars in the sky all at once. It was blissful.

More Tahitian reminiscing to be had.. but for now I am off to enjoy the sunset in my present experience.
Sending light and love across oceans xx