Lee – Ann Curren

For those of us that don’t know you - introduce yourself.

My name is Lee-Ann - I'm from France but French / American by blood. I've been surfing in the Vans team for many years now and I also love to play a lot of music. I’m passionate about making films and soundtracks - anything creative that also can be linked to surfing!

What have you been up to recently?

Recently, I started a new project, recording an album called Mal Entendu with my friend Maya. I also released a little video with Hannah Scott that's called Pinua Marinella. We also released a film called The Pinecone Sailor that we filmed last year and we made a song for the video – a super fun project. Aside from that, surfing, playing music and hanging with my dog.

How’s life in Biarritz?

Life in Biarritz is really good. We have waves pretty much all year round. It’s a really nice town and a great home base. The summer is crowded but the tradeoff is, it’s really the good life at the beach. People love going to the beach - all day long; swimming, having a good time. The weather is good. I feel it’s becoming a more interesting and diverse town culturally as well, with more young people here all year. There's some fun waves in the summer, you can get some really good swells. As the days are long, people go to sleep late, and wake up late, so you can find some good surf if you wake up early enough.

Do you have any trips planned?

I'm going to Australia in about 10 days time, I plan to stay there for a month or so with Andrew Kidman, who also shapes boards for me and who I collaborate with on a lot of projects with music too. So yes, a little change from Biarritz but it's going be fun to go chase some winter.

On boards, talk us through the boards you have been riding recently?

I've been riding a lot of different boards. I just had this really fun yellow old school twin fin that Andrew shaped for me that goes really well… I really like to surf a bit of everything depending on the waves!

I've been really enjoying getting into shaping a little bit. It’s honestly really hard to shape and it's a really long process to learn to really know what you're doing, but I really like being in the shaping bay, putting on my music and thinking about surfing in a different way. I think that's important for me at this point, thinking about the way I'm going to ride and what would be the best craft to use - even to go into more extreme shapes too. Just understand the physics of it.

Where is your favorite destination to surf worldwide?

Worldwide?! Tough one. I love surfing the beachbreaks here in South West France, when Hossegor gets good, I feel pretty comfortable. I love California as well, because it's different to growing up here. It's really cool to have like, really long pointbreaks. All pointbreaks - J Bay is amazing. Australia… I’m actually really excited to go to Australia and surf some point breaks soon. Anything that’s a fun size and you can express yourself without being crazy scary – that is what excites me.

What does it mean to you to be a female surfer in your community today?

From my own perspective, I'm really doing my own thing and trying to be respected for my work in all its formats. I surround myself with people who appreciate me, my work and what I bring to the table. I don't really see myself as a role model that much, I guess because I don't have that perspective maybe.

For me the community is the wider goal, the big win if you want. Especially events like the Queen's Classic is something that is kind of new in surfing and it's really necessary to have a place where so many people are free to express themselves. It definitely feels like somewhere that I fit in. And it's great to have spaces like that in surfing and also to create and celebrate those spaces. I really have a lot of respect for anyone who works towards that.

Who are your female role models in and outside of surfing?

I think there's so many strong women, in and outside the surfing world who are so inspiring for me by being outspoken. Often leading the way when there's changes to be made or like any protests or just speaking up for what’s right. I think women are maybe used to having to say stuff a little louder sometimes.

In terms of specific role models, I have so many that it’s hard to narrow them down…. Easkey Britton, Stephanie Gilmore, Caitlin Simmers, Chelsea Woody, Sasha Jane Lawrenson. I have so many inspirations and they're all really different profiles. Just amazing surfers, people and role models to me. Outside of surfing I would say I’m deeply inspired by musicians, I really look up to Mica Levi for her work. There's the whole London scene that I really look up to, all the independent female producers, artists and musicians.

How do you find music as a creative outlet?

Music is such a big part of my life, by being how I express myself - if I don't have that outlet, I don't really feel fulfilled. It's the same sometimes with surfing, if I don't surf for too long, I feel like another part of me is also not really fulfilled. So having both is a really good balance. For me, music, connecting to sound is really healing and as well as being a creative, fun thing to do as well.

You’ve been playing a lot of live music shows recently?

It's a way of sharing your music that's way more personal and connecting with the audience. You can’t compare it with listening to a CD or whatever.I've definitely been to a lot of concerts since I was little and it's always been something I'm obsessed with. Nowadays, going to different shows gets me excited to play and even if it's not my biggest strength yet as a musician, I feel like performing is super important.

I'm very committed to growing as a musician, I’m excited about the new music that I've recorded or written and I can get into it a bit later in life than surfing. I feel like I've reached more maturity right now to know what I want. In terms of thinking: “OK, how do I want to express that better?” So that’s exciting, I'm really excited about music, also making soundtracks for films which is something I love doing.

What advice would you have to girls that are starting out in surfing and or music?

Find people who you'd like to share it with. And keep having fun. I think this was most important for me, keeping that feeling of doing things that are fun and make you happy. Keep chasing the fun! Because surfing and music are full of positive feelings, and within the two domains I feel like there's definitely space for everyone.