MOTHERS PLAYING FAVORITES

Carolyn Murphy’s
Favorite Surf Spots

Carolyn Murphy photographed by Zoey Grossman

The beach, surfing and wanderlust have been a part of Carolyn Murphy’s life since she was a young girl, and it helped shape her identity, how she spends her free time, and the community she surrounds herself with. “My uncles were surfers in the 70s straddling their time between California and Hawaii, and I began surfing consistently in my 20s,” she says, “but since I come from a family of surfers and grew up around the water, it was just a matter of time. It dictated their lifestyle, and ultimately mine too.”

Like tides that ebb and flow, forever rising and falling, the ocean has pushed and pulled Murphy along the course of her life, inspiring various sea-centric ventures — like her latest Surf’s Up capsule with MOTHER — and guiding her to stunning destinations that may have otherwise gone unseen.

As a surfer, Murphy is drawn to travel — seeking waves, perfect peeling point breaks, warm tropical waters and just the right amount of disconnect from the hustle of everyday life. From Californian meccas to otherworldly Costa Rican coastlines, these are Carolyn Murphy’s favorite surf spots around the globe.

Rincon

With the rightfully earned nickname, “The Queen Of The Coast,” Rincon is one of California’s most celebrated point breaks. Located in Santa Barbara county, Rincon is a hotspot for pros and locals alike, and can get quite crowded when the conditions are right. "Rincon is the perfect right,” Murphy explains. “It's a super smooth point break where I can ride my favorite Greg Liddle board."

Baja

For surfers in California, Baja is the perfect escape. In just under an hour from San Diego, an easy drive will take you from overcrowded lineups to quiet, picturesque beaches. Plus, with over 1,800 miles of coastline, there are plenty of breaks to explore throughout the peninsula. Many of these isolated locations require camping, but not all. Carolyn Murphy’s go-to spot in Cabo features a laidback hotel and a perfect right point break — a truly ideal setup for long, fun rides and a hot shower at the end of the day.

Just north of Cabo is Todos Santos, a popular destination with point breaks, beach breaks and some serious big-wave surfing. Murphy loves visiting Todos Santos when she’s in the area (the town itself is filled with galleries and rich with local history), but warns the surf can get heavy.

Malibu

Malibu’s Surfrider Beach is one of California’s most iconic surf destinations and a dream break for longboarders and shortboarders alike. Different take-off locations along the point lend themselves to various board sizes and skill levels, so on an average day, you’ll find anyone (and everyone) from day-one surfers to recognizable pros making their way down the line. As Murphy says: “Aside from the crowd, it’s hands down one of the best waves in the world."

Costa Rica

After visiting Costa Rica for the first time with her friends at age 25, Murphy was hooked. It was the trip that really turned her on to surfing and altered the trajectory of her life. “I lived in Costa Rica from 1998 to 2001,” Murphy says. “I was inspired by the people, the simplicity and biodiversity, living the way we should be living.” Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region is filled with incredible beaches, a variety of point breaks and beach breaks for different levels of surfing, and a colorful community of like-minded individuals. To this day, it’s Murphy’s most frequently visited surf destination. “I feel my happiest when surfing,” Carolyn says. “It makes me calm and as the saying goes: The water washes everything away.”

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