You may think ‘Hell Yeah’ comes from WWE wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin, but no, in fact I just inherited it from my father, Hellyer, and Hell Yeah just caught on in the school playground…
And it's Sophie with an 'ie'. Not a 'y'. Why?
Sophie with an ‘ie’ not a ‘y’ ? I don't know, because my parents weren’t lazy and could spell properly? Now that’s a silly question Sharpie.
Your from Westward Ho! the only town in England with an exclamation mark in its name. Does the town deserve it?
Hmm, well it has an exclamation mark because it’s named after Charles Kingsley’s novel ‘Westward Ho!’… I heard there’s a place in Quebec called Saint-Louis-du-ha!-Ha! And that has 2 exclamation marks. Not sure if I’d rather be a Ho! Or a Haha! But yes I think it deserves it for its wholesome crappiness.
I started surfing when I was about 13 with my Papa pushing me into some waves. I started because I live at the seaside, both my sisters surfed and its too boring sitting at the beach all day watching.
How did you get into modelling?
After I got sponsored by Roxy they flew me down to France for my first photo shoot with them and it took off from there. I’ve been modelling for Roxy for over 7 years now!
Is the modelling industry like the media tells us- all bulimia and fags? Cos you eat like a horse.
I eat enough to be Bulimic- I just forget to be sick! Seeing as the last place I saw you Sharpy was in McDonalds on Sunday evening and we were both chowing down on Big Macs, I think we can safely say there is no anorexia here! But seriously though, I do know a few girls who have serious issues with eating but I don’t think its that widespread in the surf modelling industry.
Come on then whats the fanciest destination you've gone to free on a model gig?
Ok you asked for it! I have been to Fiji 3 times and stayed on the little island of Namotu, which is just the most incredible place ever, and I’ve surfed exclusive waves like Cloudbreak, Restaurants and Namotu Left. I’ve also been to Tahiti and stayed on Moorea in a classy hotel and watched Teahupoo from a boat in the channel.
Swankiest party?
Err, Saturday night in Sailors? Only joking. I went to the Glamour Awards in London and ate dinner and partied with heaps of celebs, like Peter Andre and Jordan, Avid Merrion, David Schwimmer… that was pretty cool.
Does traveling on surf photo trips compare in anyway to model shoots?!
On model shoots I get to stay in really posh hotels and eat good food, but that isn’t what I’m there for. I only do the modelling to fund my surf trips. On surf trips I might be eating maggot filled avocados (I shit you not) and sleeping with cockroaches, but I’m doing what I love all day. I might have been living like Paris Hilton in Tahiti but when it gets down to it I only got to surf twice the whole time I was there.
Roxy allow me to live my dream, I spend most my year chasing waves and sunshine thanks to them. I think the image of the company is positive, really fun, feminine and vivacious.
Have you all got Roxy logos tattooed on you somewhere? If not, why not?
Not yet, but I do actually have some temporary Roxy tattoos, the type you used to get in bubble gum at school and you lick them to stick them on! Do you want one Sharpy?
Whose the bestest international Roxy bird you've hung out with?
Oooh toughy, I used to love hanging out with Veronica Kay, She was my idol, but I haven’t seen her for ages as she’s has 2 little kiddies recently. Carissa Moore and Lisa Andersen rip to surf with. Torah Bright (snowboarder) is a super nice gal and I think the whole time I spent with her we were in hysterics.
Same question but Euro/UK...
I travel heaps with Candice O’Donnell, we have a lot in common and read each others brainwaves which results in a lot of mumbling, funny facial expressions and laughter. Gracie Davies is fun for a trip. And anyone who is in the Tracky B club, you know who you are ;)
Who are the true Posh and Becks of the UK surf scene- you and Reubyn, Stoker and Celine or Gabe and Lauren?!
Maybe that should go down to the public vote. I don’t really like Posh and Becks anyway. I’d rather be Alexa Chung and Alex Turner, or at least Cheryl and Ashley Cole!
Moving onto Reubyn Ash (Soph's other 'arf)- are you managing his ass now?
Mmm, not technically. I help him a lot with organising his schedule and emails and the PR side of things. He definitely controls his agenda, I just help coordinate it!
He seems a lot more organised and professional since you came along...
That’s nice to hear.
Is travelling with him all the time improving your own level of surfing?
For sure. Reub's spent a solid 2 weeks in Indo with me going through my video footage, picking out everything in my technique I need to adjust, and using his footage as an example of what I’m aiming for (we are talking bottom turns and cutbacks, not air reverses and rodeos just yet). I’ve improved heaps this year and I love doing a good turn in front of Reubyn so he can see his coaching is helping.
What's your favourite place in the world to surf?
I’m not going to tell you because then you’ll all go there and drop in on me… I have a lot of favourite waves in Indo, Fiji and around home.
On many occasions yes, 'Irksome' should be Reubyn's middle name! Only chatting! the enjoyable times unquestionably outweigh the exasperating times!
If you could be on the cover of any magazine which one would it be and why?
FHM because they would photoshop me to look amazing and have bigger boobs!
