Female longboarder, Julie Cox, grew up surfing the waves in and around Malibu. It was here that she developed a love for the ocean and a deep respect for her natural environment. Few surfers have the ability to ride a board with as much grace and beauty as she does. To her, surfing is more than just riding waves. A great inspiration for us all, Julie offers us her take on surfing, art and her new line of surfboards, "The Jule Collection."
When did you start surfing?
- I definitely had a deep attraction to the ocean beginning around age 8.
But I didn't get the hang of surfing until age 15 when I got a
longboard and permit to drive. Before that I played in the ocean on
body boards, shortboards, and anything else I could get my hands on.
What wave did you grow up Surfing?
-I grew up surfing Trancas/Zuma, Leo Carrillo and LA/Ventura County
Line. I felt so lucky growing up in Agoura and having the contrast of
Oak Trees and beach so close to me. I just loved being at those
spots. If the waves sucked, I'd hike, skateboard in the parking lots,
or hang out with my buddies on the cliffs or the stairs. I really
fell in love with Leo Carrillo State Beach. The licorice smells,
breezes through the canyon, rocky surf zone, tide pools, coves to
explore, stunning beauty, evening light, hills, campground, camp
store, and characters it attracts make it a really magical place. Leo
Carrillo became my grounding place.
What attracts you to surfing?
-Surfing makes me feel alive.
I love the freedom. I can do it without the help of anyone else. I
like the work-out surfing gives me, my skin and hair feel healthy
after being in the ocean. Being in tune with nature is important for
me. Temperatures, seaweed, rocks, seals, dolphins, sunshine, laying in
hot sand. I love the people I have met through surfing. They have
become my best friends. The colors that dance on the water also really
attract me. Shining, oil-slick like, hallucination like, orange
sunsets with flecks of gold, bright pinks, deep purples.
Who or what is your inspiration for your life/surfing?
-Inspiration comes in many forms, but the beauty I see in nature and in
other people give me energy and perspective. Passion, light, travel.
What break are you most likely to be surfing now?
-breaks around
Oceanside and Sayulita in Mainland Mex becuase I teach surfing down
there many weeks in the winter.
Your current sponsors?
-Roxy, Jed Noll Surfboards, Tim Fields
What projects are you currently involved in?
-The Jule Collection with Jed Noll is a huge one for me. I'm painting
a breast cast for "Keep-a-Breast", a breast cancer organization, which
will be auctioned in France this July. I'm heading to Australia this
month where I've organized a photo shoot with a few other surfers and
a photographer. I've got a few photography ideas up my sleeve, I'll
be teaching surfing and developing my surf clinics, and I'm aiming to
do well in the competitions this year. Lots of stuff goin' on!
Describe your relationship and concepts with Jed Noll Surfboards.
- I adore Jed. He was the first shaper I ever really worked with and
I am happy to be working with him again. After seeing the quality of
his boards, I came to Jed with the idea of a line of surfboards for
the women's market. He was instantly down for it and after months of
talking, designing, and creating came the Jule Collection. Our
mission is to make it easy for women of varying abilities and body
types to get classy, quality boards that helps them feel like a gem. We are aiming for women 25 years old +. The concept is to keep boards
high quality and absolutely beautiful. We've got the Diamond,
Emerald, Sapphire, Ruby, and Opal as model names. We had a good time
playing with the theme.
Where do you find your inspiration for your art?
- I find inspiration in my art through light, color, nature, my
emotions and in other people. Positivity!
Which art medium do you find to be most creative? Why?
-I find creativity in making food, massage therapy, painting, doodling,
writing, and surfing, mixed media projects, video, and photography. I
really dig photography and creating slide shows. Photogaphy is my
release. When it comes down to it, my Jule Collection project with
Jed is the most creative project I've done. Logos, board design, board
aesthetics, websites, catalogs, order cards, stickers, t-shirts,
accessories, marketing strategy, the list goes on.
Do you consider surfing sport or art? Why?
-I have had trouble with this one because I compete in contests and
try to make surfing into a sport, but surfing is most definitely an
art. It is a dance with the waves and everyone has their own style
and approach. It is a time to free your mind and body.
Do feel that surfer's should do more to help protect our environment? Examples?
-Surfers have an ingrained responsibility to protect our environment
because we are submerged in it and want to continue enjoying it for
ourselves and future generations.
Not to sound cheesy, but I have always thought that once being
environmentally friendly got "cool" in mainstream society nature would
see a positive change. Surfers are the ultimate "cool" people and if
they begin to make sustainable choices like in the cars they drive, by
picking up trash, volunteering in the local non-profit, working in
their companies to increase env. awareness, that would get the ball
rolling. The large surf companies can help in this too. I know some
of them have started with eco friendly lines, it is a good start.
Any words of wisdom?
-treat others as you'd like to be treated
Anything else you would like to share?
-Thanks surfwise!
Find out about the Jule Collection:
www.juliecoxsurfing.com,www.jednollsurfboards.com, www.julecollection.com
Hansen's Surf Shop in Encinitas, Rock'er Board Shop in Venice or info@jednollsurfboards.com
Find out about Julie's art:
www.juliecoxsurfing.com --"subscribe" (Postcards every 3
months with what she's up to: Art shows etc)
All Photos courtesy of Julie Cox. All Rights Reserved.
