Teen Vogue
It's no surprise that Katie McLean won Roxy's "Let The Sea Set You Free" contest, a nationwide search for real girls who embody the spirit of the surf brand. Not only is she a longtime surfer, but she's also a painter, designer, philanthropist, and ambassador for Project Save Our Surf. And did we mention she happens to be totally stylish, and impossibly cool, too?
The Santa Babara native took a break from hitting the waves, painting murals, and traveling abroad for a good cause to chat with us about what she's up to.
First of all, when did you start surfing?
"I didn't have that whirlwind romance with surfing that some do. It was more of an on-and-off love affair until I was really ready to commit. It wasn't until the end of junior high, just after my parent's divorce, that I started spending a lot of time in the water. I sought solitude in the sea."
What do you like to do in your free time?
"When I'm not surfing, I'm sweating, exploring, or creating. I love running, especially when I travel. It clears my head and allows me to explore new places in ways that most people don't. I love exploring unique neighborhoods, foreign countries, thrift stores and art galleries especially. Being inspired is vital to my creativity and happiness."
You're only twenty-three, but you've accomplished so much. What inspires you?
"All my gigs have resulted from me creatively combining my passions and pursuing them. My love for art, education, environment, surf, community, and fashion often dictate the work I do. My devotion to causes and desire to collaborate fuels my creative drive most."
Can you tell us about the organizations you're involved with?
"I'm an ambassador for Project Save Our Surf, a celebrity-surfer ocean conservation foundation. In March, I'll be returning to Sayulita, Mexico to volunteer with the organization during a Roxy-sponsored surf competition. We'll be cleaning the beach as well as building and painting garden boxes at the elementary school with the kids. I'll also be painting another mural in Sayulita—the first mural for my own non-profit Gypsy Eye Collaborative. Our goal is to collaborate with other causes and bring murals and yoga to communities around the world with the intention of inspiring people to integrate art, healthful living, and movement into their lives. We are planning projects in Mexico, Kauai, California, and New York this year and making our line of t-shirts soon!"
And on top of all that, you also have an art gallery that benefits the environment?
"I wanted to incorporate my appreciation for all the arts, the ocean, and my hometown, and also wanted to experience starting a business of my own. In 2009, I opened Latitude Gallery in the Funk Zone of Santa Barbara to bring together like-minded artists, surfers, and environmentalists. Each sea-inspired art show, surf movie premiere, and music event has benefited an environmental ocean-related non-profit like Surfrider or Water for Waves. I've also created ten murals, all to benefit children's art education."
What's the coolest thing you've done since winning the "Let The Sea Set You Free" contest?
"I have done a lot of very cool things since winning, like traveling foreign countries and hanging with athletes. The "Let The Sea Set You Free" trip to Biarritz, France and Spain on the women's world tour was the coolest thing I've gotten. It was my first time in Europe. We traveled with Roxy surfers Kelia Moniz, Bruna Schmitz, and Monyca Byrne-Wickey. Together the six of us (three winners and three surfers) skateboarded, boated, and biked our way around, exploring the surf in Southern France and the Basque Country."
Want to follow in Katie's inspiring footsteps? On the heels of the "Let the Sea Set You Free" contest, Roxy has just announced the follow-up "Dare Yourself" campaign. To enter, head over to their Facebook page.
