Laura in action.
Laura Crane is the first British female to ride 60-foot waves at Nazaré. And O’Neill are hosting empowering event celebrating women’s strength and resilience with this amazing big wave surfer, at The Wave in Bristol later this month. We caught up with Laura to find out more.
Laura, how stoked are you to be holding the Women of the Wave Retreat at The Wave this month and what can people expect?
Ahh I’m so excited to be hosting a UK women’s surf retreat. The UK is where I learnt to surf and fell in love with the ocean. So to host a retreat and bring together that ever growing community of women at home feels so right.
Holding it at The Wave means guaranteed waves for everyone of all levels which means I will get to surf with everyone and we should get as much as possible out of the weekend. Also there will be yoga classes, workshops and loads more.
Growing up in North Devon how did you transition to charging some one of the world’s biggest waves? What inspired you?
I think growing up by the Atlantic Ocean definitely makes you tough, but I would have to say the transition happened as I became a woman and realised i am the only one that knows the best path for me. It’s kind of a right of passage that you learn to trust your instinct.
That’s what has allowed me to in turn trust that I know what is best for me and what sets my soul alight and that is big wave surfing. In fact it always has been.
You’re doing a fear management workshop during the WOTW Retreat, can you share what techniques or routines do you use before paddling into big surf to keep fear from overwhelming you?
Yes I’m really excited to share this as I’ve been working on this workshop for a couple of years to help others notice and overcome their fears, learn how to work with resistance to help them achieve their goals. A few of the tools I use are cold immersion, meditation and breath work.
How do you differentiate between helpful fear (the kind that keeps you sharp) and paralysing fear?
First you need to sit with it and decide is it a rational or irrational fear then we go from there.
What’s your best advice for surfers wanting to confront their fear, whatever the size of the wave?
Find a community and surf with others that are at a similar level to you. Set small goals for each session so no matter what you feel, you overcame something in time you’ll feel more comfortable to set bigger / more fearful goals.
Do you still feel fear every time you paddle out at Nazare or does it change the more you do it?
Not every time now, no, its crazy how your mind and body start to feel comfortable in even the most dangerous situations. I think you start to read it all better you kind of know what’s coming next. And after you have had a few bad hold downs, well better the devil you know, than the devil you don’t. That’s what they say right? Ha,ha!
How did it feel being chosen as only one of four women to surf in the WSL Big Wave Challenge? That’s an amazing accomplishment and acknowledgement of how far you’ve come on your journey.
It felt incredible I have put SO much work in over the last three years that no one but those closest to me have seen. From risking it all and investing my whole life savings, the sacrifices when it came to training schedules, missed Christmas’s, birthdays, failed relationships and broken bones. However I wouldn’t change a thing as the journey to achieving the goal is always the prize.
So yes i feel incredibly proud to be 1 of 4 women in history to earn a place in such a prestigious event.
Laura in action at the Big Wave Challenge, Nazare earlier this year Photo: WSL/Damian Poullenot
Which surfers have been your inspiration and have helped you on your journey?
There are so many surfers these days that inspire me; Laura Evever, Justine Dupont, Caity Simmers but true idols are ..
KEALA KENELLY – I remember seeing her pull up in a petrol station with a black truck and 2 jet skis on the back in BlueCrush movie and I remember always saying I want to be like her. She was the pioneer for female big wave surfing all those years ago and i’ll be forever grateful for that representation of a women she carried. She didn’t care she just did what she loved.
MAYA GABEIRA – she made it possible. Fighting for female recognition in our sport making history with the first female Biggest Wave Award and Guinness World Record as well as putting women on the front and centre at Nazare. When I arrived at Nazare she took me under her wing and even helped we with my journey to qualifying for the WSL by taking me out daily coaching with jet ski piloting. She’s an incredible athlete and an all around legendary female warrior.
We see that you’re surfing again, so it looks like you’ve recovered from the injury you got during the Big Wave event. How good does that feel?
YESSS so stoked! I just spend three weeks in Nicaragua surfing with my best friend and oh my gosh, it felt so incredible to just be ebbing and flowing with waves again. After three months of recovery and no surfing, it’s really beautiful and to recognise how grateful you are for the smaller and slower things in life.
What are your main goals looking forward this year?
I have a really exciting movie project I’m working on in Indonesia in July, then I’m hosting a couple of @CraneSurf Boat trips in the Maldives in August. All before pre season training kicks off in September to get ready for big wave season mid October. Then it’s chasing giants all winter and requalifying for the WSL Big Wave Contest.
Book your space with Laura on her retreat at the Wave, find out more here.
O’Neill Women of the Wave
What: O’Neill WOTW with Laura Crane
Where: The Wave, Bristol
When: 28-29 June. Check in Saturday at 11:30am, departure 3pm on Sunday.
Who: All abilities welcome.
How much: Cost £300
What’s included: Surf coaching, surf session on the intermediate wave
(or beginner wave if preferred), ‘Fear is Your Friend Workshop’ with Laura Crane, Yoga and Breathing Workshop, accommodation at The Wave, meals, snacks, wetsuit trail where participants are welcome to test the O’Neill Hyperfreak Fire and Hyperfreak wetsuits for the duration of the weekend.
About Women of the Wave
O’Neill’s Women of the Wave was born from a simple but powerful realisation: women needed a space to come together, share stories, and ride waves. Led by our incredible athletes, such as Johanne Defay. Laura Crane and Charlotte van Berkum —this movement is about more than just surfing; it’s about building confidence, fostering connection, and passing on knowledge. Whether you’re a rookie or a pro, everyone is welcome. Through our events, we aim to inspire, empower, and celebrate the joy of surfing—because the ocean belongs to all of us.
