Ellie Hickey Photos: James Elliot

SurfGirl chats to three young female rising stars on the UK surf scene, Ellie Hickie, Sunny Ingram and Lila Skinner.

Ellie Hickie, 13, Newquay

1. Ellie tell us a bit a bit yourself.
I live in Newquay near to Fistral Beach. I started surfing when I was 10, but began skating when I was 3 which really helped me when I learnt to surf. I began competing when I was 11, winning the U12 girls National titles in 2023 and 2024, and the UK RipCurl Grom Search U12 girls in 2024. I’ve just won the 2025 U14 National title too, which I am stoked about! I also joined the Surfing England Junior Squad when I was 12.

2. What inspired you to start surfing—and what keeps you hooked?
When I was really little, I spent a lot of time with my family at the beach, where I would often play around on a foamie. I have always loved the sea and always loved skating – so surfing was the next natural thing to do. It is easy to be hooked on surfing – I am always trying to learn new things, and I love the adrenaline rush when I land new manoeuvres. I am currently focussing on landing airs and doing full rail carves.
3. What’s it like being a surf girl in the surf world today?
The girl surf community is really supportive. We all get stoked for each other if we have a good wave or land something new. Being a female surfer at the moment is really exciting as there are so many amazing young women really setting the bar high.
4. What do you do to keep fit for surfing especially when the surf’s flat?
I surf skate a lot to help me work on my technique, which I can do any time, and train at The Wave if there aren’t any waves at home. I also play a lot of netball and dance, which helps to keep me fit. I am starting to do some training in the gym to help with fitness and flexibility.
5. What’s one fear you’ve had to overcome in the water?
I am constantly trying to push myself out of my comfort zone so that I can be confident in bigger and bigger surf. A lot of surfing involves mental strength as well as physical strength. I have made loads of progress pushing my boundaries, but there will always be bigger and heavier waves to remind me there is more work to do.
Lila Skinner, 15, Perranporth

1. Lila tell us a bit about yourself
I’ve loved the ocean from and early age and started surfing at the age of 3, but really got into it when I was 9. My first proper contest was the RIP Curl GromSearch in 2021 which I won, and then got an invite to compete in Peniche in the European Rip Curl Grom Search. This was an amazing opportunity to surf against other girls from the Europe. I have won four English Titles and represented my country at two world junior events and one European event. My first event being in Brazil.
I absolutely love representing my county and being part of such a great team is such an honour. I have also been lucky enough to have great sponsors and coaches behind me which are helping me along the way, Rip Curl, Dryrobe, Skindog Surfboards, FCS Europe, INDU and Pirette.

2. What do you love about surfing and what’s the best advice your dad (Ben Skinner longboard champ) gave you?
I love surfing because it’s just so fun, every surf is so different I love being in the water and surfing with my friends. I have met so many friends all over the world and surfing has allowed me to see so many places. I am just packing to go with my Dad on my first ever boat trip to the Mentawis, a group of Islands in Indonesia! I have always wanted to go there.
The best advice my dad has given me is to ‘don’t try surf like other people, surf how you want to surf and enjoy it, be the person having the most fun’.

3. What would you say to younger girls who want to start surfing but feel too nervous?
I would say don’t be embarrassed or ashamed of looking silly, just get in the water have fun, encourage your friends to join you and dont give up just because people tell you that you can’t surf! It also makes you feel so good, is a great exercise and you meet so many people.

4. What’s your dream for the future of women’s surfing and how much do you want to be part of it?
My dream for women’s surfing is for women any age to get into surfing, age doesn’t matter! For me it’s my dream to go as far as I can with competitive surfing, presenting my country and possibly compete in the Olympics. I really want to be a pro surfer travelling the world!

5. How does it help having a dad and brother who compete on the world stage, does it make it easier when you’re competing?
I am very lucky to have a family who all surf, and a brother, Lukas, and dad, Ben, both compete Internationally. They understand what its takes and give me the best advice and opportunities. We all love to compete but we all love to just surf together and go on surf holidays!
Sunny Ingram, 15, Porthtowan

1. Sunny, what inspired you to start surfing?
I got inspired to start surfing with my family of surfers, I was always watching my brother surf. I started surfing at the age of 5 but got hooked at 9 years old and around lock down we would surf all day and have such fun.

2. How does it feel when you’re competing and what are your surf goals?
When I’m competing it’s so fun to be able to compete with your friends but also very nervous. I’ve loved competing with Surfing England in El Salvador in 2024 and that was such a sick experience  that is just the first step of my surf journey. My goal in competing is to try and be a professional surfer and hold world titles.

3. What’s it like being a young woman in the surf world today?
Being a young surfer in the surf world today is so sick and being able to meet so many surfers my age who are now some of my closest friends. I’m looking forward to traveling and competing around the world with them but it can also be intimidating  being in the water with some older surfers who rip.

4. If you could surf anywhere in the world where would that be?
One spot I dream of surfing is G Land in Indonesia because it is a long barreling left reef with loads of good sections. So many good waves in Indo, I can’t wait to go there!

Shooting with the Girls

Photographer James Elliot shot the girls a couple of times, capturing their surf stoke. Here’s what he had to say about the surf sessions with them.

“I’ve been teaching at a school and Simon (Ellie’s dad) started doing supply with us and asked if wanted to tag along and get a few shots of the girls surfing. We arranged a time and headed off to pick them up and go find a wave, the girls so keen they were already suited up.

When we got to the chosen spot it was straight in with the girls finding a little peak with only a few people on it and they where instantly ripping! They relentlessly traded waves with each other, occasionally leaving a wave for other people, until the tide dropped out. In the car park another surfer who was surfing the same peak came up and spoke to Simon about how impressed with the girls he was, not only how they were absolutely on fire with their surfing but also how well-mannered they had been in the process and hadn’t taken every wave but let everyone take their turn and get waves.

The next day the forecast showing much smaller surf but still worth a punt. Lila even ditched the shortboard and nicked one of her dad’s (Skindog) longboards. When we got there the surf was bigger than expected with some solid little wedges rolling through and the longboard was quickly swapped back for the shortboard. The session didn’t last long as the tide was moving fast and again a rip from hell tore it apart but the girls still got plenty of waves and seemed to push each other to try harder and harder on every set!
It was great to tag along for the two sessions and share in their endless stoke, I just hope these ramblings and images can do the girls surfing some justice!”