Enjoy The Ride
Terra Layne
Age 29
Actor, Model, Surfer
Rockaway Beach, NYC
How did you get into surfing?
I’m big into adventure sports although surfing was always very intimidating to me. I’d tried it out a couple times but it wasn’t till I moved to NYC that I found myself craving mother nature and her unpredictable thrill. Believe it or not I “caught the bug” in February of all months - when a friend started inviting me to tag along his surf-escapades to Rockaway and Montauk, I took the opportunity. I was unemployed and needed a release. Surfing was the best way to take my mind off of everything that worried me, it forced me to focus on one thing and one thing only. Even on the days I caught not a single wave, I was out enjoying nature, and only 40 minutes from my home in BK.
We’re definitely seeing more female surfers in the lineup these days. What would you say to encourage more women who are considering learning how to surf?
Don’t be intimidated by anyone. Those that are trying to intimidate you are doing so on purpose, it’s selfish and are choosing to uphold the privilege and patriarchy they were born with. With that said, it’s a dangerous sport even if you know what you’re doing, definitely learn the etiquette before heading out - Youtube will do a better job at explaining this than anyone on the beach. Don’t be shy when you’re out there, the more open you are about your experience the more likely you’ll meet people who are willing to support you. You got this!
What is the dynamic in the water for female surfers?
It’s a total contradiction to my morality. Let me explain. You know that feeling you get when you walk into a room that you’re not supposed to be in and everyone turns to look at you, it’s a little like that. Paddling out on big days I’m often the only female surfer out there at my local jetty. It sucks feeling like I have to prove myself, but once I do, I’m the anomaly, I’m celebrated. This is where I morally suffer, women doing what men do on a surfboard shouldn’t be a rarity. Times are a changing.
Terra and roommate Tori surfing in New York winter.
Do you prefer surfing solo or with a friend(s)?
Depends on the day. No matter what, having a friend out there is always a positive thing, especially my ladies. Nothing brings me a greater sense of exuberance than women cheering for other women.
Are most of your friends surfers? What do you value most about the surf community? (locally & as a whole)
In Rockaway, yes, but not exclusively. I’ve got groups of friends that live elsewhere who are by no means surfers, I love them too. I suppose I’m drawn to friendships that also entail surfing out here in Rockaway because like all relationships, we yearn for connection. Surfing is a beautiful way of connecting with nature, together, and apart. There’s a level of appreciation for the environment of the ocean. Anyone who’s out there surfing finds it. And the second you forget it, you’re in big trouble.
Surfing and Travel tend to go hand in hand. Where are the places you’ve surfed?
I started really surfing in the winter of 2019, ie: a year before the pandemic. I’ve surfed along the coast of Cali, the BVI’s. I did some minimal surfing in Puerto Rico, Australia, Bali, and Sri Lanka but that was before I had any clue what I was doing. I haven’t got a ton of surf excursions under my belt, but I’ve got time :)
Surfers usually have an ever growing collection of boards. Do you have a collection? What’s your favorite surfboard that you own? And why is it your favorite?
Yes, my roommate Tori and I have a gorgeous collection of boards, and yes, they are organized by height in our garage. I’m going to sound crazy saying this but my favorite board is one that I’ve yet to surf! For the last year I’ve been loving my 8’2 Ricky Carroll, which is like a sporty longboard. Though one board has always had my heart and it’s Channel Islands, Al Merrick, Water Hog. I’ve been looking for this board, used (I’m a starving artist), for 3 years. I finally bought a 7’6 off craigslist a week ago; I nearly cried with excitement. Maneuverability, I’ve woven through summer crowds on a weekend, that level of confidence and comfortability is worth all the tea in China.
How has surfing changed you? What does surfing add to your life?
It’s given me the balance I need to survive NYC. I’m not cut out for strictly city life, I admire those who can do it but ultimately, space and silence are necessities for my mental health. Surfing has brought me community but within that, it’s also brought me confidence and structure. The effort put into waking up early, making time to practice self care, being present in the moment, the challenges, the failures, there are so many good habits surfing has given back to me.
Can you put into words the feeling you have out in the water, riding a wave?
You’re synchronizing with a motion that’s traveled thousands of miles, and that energy, that force - you’re riding on top of it, you can feel it beneath you. And then it’s gone! It’s mother nature's magic show.
What’s an interesting fact about you that would surprise most people?
In 2017 I set out by myself and hiked the South Island of New Zealand, 900 miles top to bottom. Hiking poles look stupid but are life saving - literally.
Terra, what are 2 or 3 things you know for sure?
Intelligence is subjective, animals are intelligent, eating animals is ethically wrong. Not exclusively, but if you have the privilege to question it, it definitely is.
Small movements are the start of anything big.
In the grand scheme of things we are all specks of dust, be kind and enjoy the ride.
