26 September 2024
Quests & Adventures: Lindsey Holland
From a transformative first wave to launching Marnie Rays, Lindsey’s journey is all about building a joyful, supportive surf community with sustainability at heart.
Second in our series of Quests & Adventures with incredible water women, we spoke with Lindsey Holland, founder of Marnie Rays Surf Retreats and advocate for ocean conservation.
Lindsey’s journey began with a solo trip to Portugal, where a vulnerable moment led her to surfing, a passion that transformed her life and sparked a mission to share the healing power of the waves with others. Through Marnie Rays, Lindsey creates a supportive community for women in surf, fostering connection and resilience.
In this QA, Lindsey shares her insights on the importance of representation in surfing, her favorite surf spots around the world, and her commitment to eco-conscious practices that keep the oceans clean for generations to come.
YOUR SURFING JOURNEY
Q: Lindsey, can you tell us about your surfing journey? What first drew you to surfing and how has it shaped your life?
"I’m four years into my surfing journey now and I cannot express just how much it has changed my life, my mental health and how much it’s helped with patience, and sitting with big feelings! I first got on a board in Portugal after having one of those vulnerable moments in life I think we collectively experience; I felt like I didn’t have much joy around me and I was yearning to learn something new. I booked a solo trip to a surf camp and got stuck in. I haven’t looked back….! "
INSPIRATION FOR MARNIE RAYS
Q:What inspired you to create Marnie Rays? Was there a specific moment that pushed you to launch your own surf camp?
"It was truly the joy I felt sharing the experience of learning and being in the water with a community of people all searching for the same thing. I think it’s freedom. I have never resonated with a sport so deeply and wanted to bottle up all that joy, community and support into my own surf retreat offering. It was also the most my audience had ever engaged with me which is also how I knew there was such a need for a new supportive space in the surfing world. I was sitting on a beach in Hawaii during a solo surf trip and I wrote down my dream in my journal and pressed go on it all as soon as I got home! "
FEMALE SURFING INFLUENCE
Q: What role do you think representation, seeing more female surfers, plays in inspiring the next generation of female surfers?
"Seeing women thrive and have ownership in the surf industry makes my heart happy and inspires me to push more, both my limits as to what I can achieve and for Marnie Rays to become known as the place that women come to connect and find their own group of cheerleaders. If I’d have seen this level of representation in the sport growing up, I don’t think it would have taken me so long to finally give it a go."
HOW TO STAY CONNECTED
Q: London isn't exactly known for its surf culture. How do you stay connected to water-based activities when you’re at home in the city?
"I’m finding it harder and harder the older I get but with that said…I’m at the lido swimming most days! I have my online Substack community; Marnie Rays Kooks which I built to connect people all over the world who are interested in, or already love to surf and we can buddy up as we all travel! It’s my favourite thing. I head to Cornwall a lot these days to get my surf fix too."
NEEDS IN SURF- AND SWIMWEAR
Q: When it comes to hitting the waves, how important is what you wear in the water? What do you look for in surf and swimwear?
"Honestly it’s everything; if I’m not comfortable, secure and feel like myself/my style then that surf isn’t going well for me!
With swimwear, it has to be secure, I don’t want to be worried about flashing the line up at any point! It also needs to be cut beautifully - like something you’d want to wear to the beach and feel good in! Security and sports doesn’t have to mean full coverage.
For springsuits, comfy, light and again secure! "
THE NEW COLLECTION
Q: What are your top picks from our collection, and why do they work for you?
"The sports top and shorts are incredible; I felt so amazing surfing in those and they stayed in place, look great wet and don’t lose shape.
The racerback swimsuit is cut to perfection, high rise on the legs and I love the nod to a sportier back.
Finally, the Yulex springsuit is one of the comfiest suits I’ve ever had and it brought lots of compliments in the water! Yulex (a natural rubber) is always at the top of my list when I’m looking at materials too."
SUSTAINABLE SURFING
Q: Sustainability is becoming more important in the surf world. How do you incorporate eco-conscious practices into Marnie Rays, and what role does sustainable surfwear, like WALLIEN’s, play in your life?
"I’m always looking for ways to improve my commitment to eco-conscious activity with Marnie Rays, whether that’s providing re-fillable bottles & eco-friendly zinc to our guests or working with brands who share my outlook for how important sustainability in this industry is. There are plans for Marnie Rays to partner with local communities for things like beach clean ups and education for our guests in the places that we host. There is always more to do!
WALLIEN are one of the few brands within the surf industry making big efforts to turn the tables on the materials used to create surf wear using recycled plastics and old fishing nets which is just incredible. They’re partnered with the Blue Marine Foundation which is something Marnie Rays aspires to in the very near future!"
LINDSEY HOLLAND'S WALLIEN FAVS
Horizonia Yulex® Springsuit Wetsuit ― Aquamarine
Racerback Swimsuit ― Red / Pink
Sport Shorts ― Red / White
