An Inspiring Conversation With: Nip&Rip
From left to right: Amelia, Liv and Lani.
Today I am launching a new series of sorts on my blog called “An Inspiring Conversation With: “ where I will be ‘interviewing’ people from the world of surf and water people that I find inspiring. I hope that you manage to find some inspiration in their words as well.
For my first installment, I had a lovely conversation with Nip&Rip, a collection of three water women studying at university in Devon. My mum and I am a bit in love with Lani, Amelia and Liv and I have now decided that I will be going to Exeter University so I can live jut like these ladies.
Nip&Rip is the name of the Instagram page where Lani, Amelia and Liv post about there salty (and often cold) adventures in the hopes to inspire others to embrace British waters whether through swimming and surfing. I think they are so cool! And as some one who has big decisions about education and my future coming up soon, I look at these women and admire their lifestyle and how they are choosing to make their way through life.
So, I hope you enjoy this interview and that you will be inspired to go for a nippy dip this winter.
What are you up to at the moment? Where are you?
Currently Me and Liv are in Plymouth working on our dissertations, going for dips and trying to find waves when we can. Lani is living it large in North Devon and going on placement soon. Swimming and dipping as well and surfing when ever possible.
Why do you love the ocean?
It’s a great way to put things into perspective, if things are not going so well on land getting in the sea and going to a swim or a surf can make thing seem slightly less serious and allow you to see a way through. It is also amazing fitness which is always bonus.
Why/how did you start surfing?
(Lani) I started surfing at the age of 11 because I live 30 seconds from the sea. It would have been silly not to learn to surf! My mum bought my my first board when I was 11 and took me to the beach where I messed around with the board and began to teach myself to surf! I’ve been hooked ever since!
(Amelia) I started surfing in the summer of 2019! Surfing has always been a dream of mine so I went on a week long course and it changed my life. Since then I have been obsessed, learning the different styles longboarding and shortboarding and I have started competing as well! Lani and I actually won the university surf comp together!
(Liv) I discovered surfing on a trip to Central America, I had never really considered it as something I could do, but I was presented with the opportunity, and when in El Salvador.. why not?! After catching my first wave and feeling the joy that came with it, I was set on making it a part of my life.
How do you connect to the ocean?
The ocean makes us feel like we don’t have anything to worry about it’s a place where we can escape everything else that’s going on in life and just have fun with friends. With two of us being surf instructors and lifeguards most of our summer is spent in the sea and we wouldn’t have it any other way!
What are the aims of Nip & Rip?
At the moment we are just trying to inspire people to get in the sea and utilise the Benefits of cold water! We are also planning summer Nip&Rip sessions, which would involve a day of doing our favourite things - dipping, yoga, and surfing with anyone who would be interested in joining! This will be based in North Devon!
What are your plans for 2021?
Our plans are to continue dipping and surfing throughout 2021, whether that’s together or separately! We are hoping to reunite in the summer to start our Nip&Rip sessions which we can’t wait to release more information about!
What advice would you give to your past selves?
Advice we would give our selves would to have started cold water dipping sooner, it can be so daunting the thought of entering the sea without a wetsuit in the winter, however we are now completely addicted to cold water dipping through the challenge of it and that post dip high!
If you could be doing anything right now what would it be and why?
Travelling!!! We have all travelled pre uni and all absolutely loved it! We talk all the time about the places we want to go to, and the places we have fallen in love with and want to revisit! It would be a dream to be able to go together on a surf based trip in the future!
What inspires you?
We are always inspired by other dippers especially those who face the coldest of waters in the ice and snow! It makes us feel like we really can’t complain on those chiller days! Also surfers around the globe inspire us to push ourselves out of our comfort zone!
Lightning round:
Tea or coffee? COFFEE!! We are obsessed with coffee!
Cream before the jam or after on a scone?
Lani- coming from Devon means the cream has to go on first!
Amelia- ooooh it has to be jam then cream for me!
Liv- cream then jam all the way!
Favourite song at the moment?
Lani- willow by Taylor swift!
Amelia- Don’t Let Me Down by Milky Chance and Jack Johnson.
Liv- Sooth Lady Wine by Matt Corby.
The last book you read?
Lani - I haven’t read anything other then a uni text book for a long time!
Amelia - The Officer And The Spy by Robert Harris.
Liv- do research papers count?? :(
Favourite place in the world?
Lani - the Philippines !
Amelia - I think for me it has to be the south west but I recon that will change once I surf outside the UK!
Liv- Costa Rica 🌴
Finish the following statement… I will next achieve happiness by…?
I will next achieve happiness by travelling, surfing all day and drinking lots of pina coladas 🍍
I hope you have enjoyed this little interview with Nip&Rip! Go follow their Instagram @nip.and.rip to keep up to date with their salty adventures on the coast. They are also looking to launch a line of Nip&Rip beanies, so keep an eye out! I am personally very excited to see what these lovely ladies have in store for 2021!
Keep an eye out for more “Inspiring Conversations With:” , I’m planning many more for this year (and am very excited about it).
Keep safe, happy and healthy wherever in the world you are.
Florence x