This document contains interviews with two surfers in Cornwall, UK - Shaun Kneebone (51) and Tara Glanfield (24). Both discuss learning to surf as teenagers and their continued passion for the sport. They find surfing provides exercise, quality time with friends, and an escape from stress. However, they note the unpredictable weather and cold conditions in the UK make surfing more challenging compared to warmer locales. Getting changed in and out of wetsuits in public places or the cold is particularly difficult.

6. Can you tell me a little bit about your
experience learning how to surf, and how that
actually came about?
I actually got into skateboarding first and went to
the first skate parks with my parents at
Watergate Bay in Cornwall. While we there I saw
people surfing and thought I’d give it a go.I
later hired surfboard. It was hard work but I loved
the thrill. I managed to get my parents to buy
me a surfboard and tried to go surfing as often
as I could, I was only about 13 at the time, and
thought I was brilliant but in reality I was not. -
- These were back in the days before wetsuits but
we were young so we didn’t really feel the cold.
Do you see surfing as more than just a hobby?
Has it had an impact on your life in anyway?
Surfing is much more than a hobby to me; it helps
me keep fit, spend quality time with friends and
to travel to different locations all over the world. I
have met some great friends through surfing and
there is a community spirit amongst local surfers.
In our group we have 12 surfers ranging from
18 -55 years old which are all at different levels.
INTERVIEW: SHAUN KNEEBONE
SURFING FOR: 38 YEARS
CORNWALL SURFER
AGE: 51

7. When it comes to surfing in UK and the
weather conditions you face how do you
overcome these issues?
Surfing in the U.K can be some of the toughest
conditions in the world because our weather is so
varied. Surfers here are some of the most
dedicated, as conditions and weather are so
unpredictable.The water can be cold at times but
it’s the air temperature in the midst of winter when
your getting changed is the most challenging,
plenty of layers and hot drinks help the cause.
Is there anything in particular you don’t like
about surfing in the UK?
Surfing in the UK can be very unpredictable and
frustrating at times as its so varied.The surf can be
good in the morning and flat by the afternoon and
the best surf always seem’s to arrive when you’re
at work.
What do you find most difficult about surfing in
the UK?
On a personal note as I’ve got older its got
harder as im not as fit as I use to be so even the
simplest of things like getting changed in the cold
is a lot harder then It use to be.
Has surfing influenced your style in anyway?
No not really, I wouldn’t say me or my friends are
the ‘typical surfers’. However we do use local
shops for boards, clothing and
accessories.
How do you stay motivated and committed to
surfing?
It’s probably the only real hobby I do now, so it
keeps me quite fit and enables me to have some
quality time with friends and away from the stress
of work.
What are the essentials you take with you
when you go surfing?
Surfboard, wetsuit, wax, leashes, boots, gloves,
hood, towel and key pod. I also need to take
plenty of fluid and energy bars and warm clothing
for the winter months and I always make sure my
transport is reliable.
Is there any gear/clothing that you feel is
missing when it comes to the surfing industry?
It would be nice to have more local shapers that
make surfboards and more local shops that supply
the clothing we need to face the conditions here.

8. INTERVIEW: TARA GLANFIELD
SURFING FOR: 7 YEARS
CORNWALL SURFER
AGE: 24
Can you tell us a little bit about your
experience learning to surf, and how that
actually came about?
I haven’t been surfing long, I would say it’s been
just over 7 years now but I’ve become very much
engrossed in the sport. It started when I met my
partner who has surfed since he was young. I
started to go with him to the beach on my days
off work and it wasn’t long before I wanted to try
it out for myself. Ever since my first time I haven’t
stopped. I took lessons for about a year on and
off and the rest of the time I’ve just adapted and
taught myself, along with my partners.
Do you see surfing as more than just a hobby?
Has it had an impact on your life in anyway?
For me its a hobby, however it has had a massive
impact on my life. I use it as a getaway from my
everyday life. When things get too stressful that’s
when I head to the beach. You almost forget about
everything else going on.
Is there anything you don’t like about surfing in
the UK?
The weather! When I’m in the water I don’t notice
the cold. However when I’m on shore that’s when
it really hits me. Especially when getting changed.

9. When it comes to surfing in UK and the
conditions you face how do you overcome
these issues?
With great difficulty sometimes! We can only try
and adapt and be fully equipped. I tend to over
pack when I go surfing, filling up the car with big
jackets and warm jumpers. I usually wear a lot of
layers too.
Has surfing influenced your style in anyway?
I would say it has yes. It has allowed me to have a
more casual look to style. For my career I
constantly have to be done up and wearing a
dress and heeled shoes 5/6days out of the week
can be very tiring. Its nice to be able to throw on
what I want.
What are the essentials you take with you
when you go surfing?
My wetsuit and surfboard; they are the obvious
things I take with me every time. I also take my
surf jacket, waterproof bag, wax, and change of
warm clothes, which usually consist of jumpers,
base layers and trousers.
Is there any gear/clothing that you feel is
missing when it comes to the surfing industry?
- When people think of surfing they tend to relate
it to quite hot places like California and Hawaii.
Where surfers where very minimal clothing, its
mainly bikinis and board shorts. However in the
UK the reality is that, that sort of clothing doesn’t
work for us. There needs to be more focus on the
cold water surfer. I am aware there are companies
that have started to cater for this need, however I
think there could be a lot more.
What do you find most difficult about surfing in
the UK?
There are many things that are difficult about
being a surfer in the UK. One thing is obviously
theunpredictable weather. You can’t quite tell what
kind of day your going to get, most of the time I
just wait until the morning to decide if I’m going to
head to Cornwall which isn’t very reliable.
Another thing I find quite a struggle is getting
changed into and out of my wetsuit. As I travel
a distance of about 1hour 30mins (at least) its
not suitable for me to wear my wetsuit there. So
I do have to wait until I am at the beach to get
changed. This can often be quite difficult for me. I
don’t feel confident enough to get undressed into
my bikini in public; I try and cover up as much I
can.