Interviews 0

Drift introducing: Louis Campbell

By Anya Gilbert · On January 3, 2016

Every month Drift will be bringing you the hottest talent and sublime stylists from around the globe. This month 17-year-old Louis Campbell from Cornwall…

When Louis Campbell said, ‘I live and breathe surfing’ we completely and utterly believed him.

This self confessed surf addict will shred a cruiser harder than a grom, then ride a log like a single-fin veteran. He kindly found a slot between his course work, driving lessons and surfing sessions to catch up with us.

Where are you from?

I live in a small hamlet about two or three miles from Perranporth beach.

What’s in your quiver right now?

I have two Watershed boards shaped by Nigel Semmens, a 7ft pintail performance Shegg and an 8ft single-fin nose rider. I also have a few hand planes, a 5’4 Bing dharma and would love to add a 9ft nose rider or a 5’8 quad to the quiver at some point.

8ft single-fin nose rider from Watershed

Where’s your favourite place to surf in the UK?

My favourite is definitely Perranporth; I think there’s something special about it when it gets good. My dad used to take me there on foamies a while ago, so it’s cool to see how I’ve progressed at surfing the same place.

What did the word adventure mean to you when you were small, and what do you think of now?

The word adventure as a kid used to mean going into the garden looking for sticks to throw in a river for a race! Now I think it means going away from my normal world and routine, looking for new waves, places and experiences!

What gets your adrenaline pumping?

I think watching the waves at Perran from the cliffs while getting into my wetsuit gets my adrenaline pumping the most. It’s such a good view, you can see every different peak and mentally surf the waves. It’s a pretty special feeling watching them from the cliff because we usually have super long periods of time between the surf being good; the waves are usually too massive and wind blown.

Where would be your dream surf trip location?

I can’t really name just one place as a dream surf location because there are so many amazing places in the world I want to surf! But if I had to narrow it down, I’d say either Indonesia or Noosa in Australia. The waves at these places are so different but they look amazing. Hopefully one day the dream trip will be a reality!

A relaxed and competent style

Do you do any fitness training out of the water?

I don’t do any sort of scheduled training as part of a club or anything because it’s too hard trying to find the time. When I have a spare 30 minutes or so after college, Dad and I have put together a surf related training plan that I can do in my room. My mum is a yoga teacher and she’s introduced me to the benefits of it. I d like to have the time to do other things like swimming but at the moment what with studying and learning to drive, I haven’t got that much spare time.

Who do you look up to the most? Does anyone outside the surfing world also inspire you?

I look up to my Dad a lot. He’s always happy, has got a great work ethic and is still surfing really well at an age he thought he wouldn’t. In the surfing world I look up to Mick Rodgers, Kai Ellice-Flint and Alex Knost who are all single-fin riders. They have a lovely surfing style and are an inspiration to watch.

What’s your biggest goal?

I think my biggest goal is just to be happy and positive all the time. It rubs off on people and I like making people laugh and smile. I’d also love to improve my surfing and always have as much fun with it as I am now.

If you weren’t a surfer, what would you want to be?

If I wasn’t a surfer I think I’d like to be a good skater or maybe be into my photography more. I used to play a lot of football to a reasonable level but I ended up quitting it for surfing because I prefer sports where there is no pressure. I think I just have more fun with it.

Name three things from your bucket list?

• Go on a surf trip to Indonesia and Noosa.
• Keep surfing and having lots of fun with it.
• Go on my own surf road-trip with my mates to the south of France or Spain.

What songs are fuelling your stoke right now?

• Half Moon Run – Full Circle
• Electric Guest – This Head I Hold
• Half Moon Run – I Need It
• The Laurels – Wandering Star
• Jungle – The Heat
• Souls Of Mischief – 93 Til’ Infinity
• Public Enemy – Harder Than You Think

If you were going to shape a board, what would it be?

I think I’d shape myself a really small twin-fin Fish. Maybe a really wide, chunky 5’2 with a little bit of rocker. I just want something really fun and loose for those days where longboards are a bit stiff.

Do you have a favourite pre/post surf snack?

I don’t really have a pre surf snack other than an apple, but afterwards there’s nothing better than a milkshake and burger from Hubbox.

What’s next for 2016?

2016 is looking pretty exciting. My family and I are going on holiday to Indonesia, Sri Lanka or Costa Rica so that will be pretty sick. I’ll also (hopefully) be able to drive and will add a new shape or two into my quiver. But all in all I just want next year to be as fun as 2015, with lots of surfing.

I would just like to say a massive thank you to my girlfriend Tayla, my family for constantly driving me to the beach and my mates Samson, Emile, Max and James for taking photos of me surfing. Thank you also to Hubbox, Watershed Shop, The Critical Slide Society (TCSS) and Craig from O’Neill for everything you’ve done!