Ruby Southwell
Where in the world is Ruby Southwell?
Can’t ever say for sure. Indo? Bali? The Australian Coast? Wherever she is, she's surely impressing locals and getting more waves than us. Ruby has a way of controlling and maneuvering speed - absolutely milking a wave for all it’s got to give - all while running a balancing act up and down the board, like a gymnast messing around or a casual daytime dancer. An aggressiveness, a daintiness, and absolute control. Truly a delight to see and truly intimidating to watch.
Who are you?
I’m Ruby! I’m a traveller and surfer from Australia.
What do you do?
I’m based in a tiny village in north Mentawai where I mostly surf and try to make a difference amongst the community.
How long have you been doing that?
Not long… surfing for a couple years and I first arrived to Mentawai October 2021.
What is your favourite song right now and why?
Couldn’t tell ya honestly, I don’t listen to too much music these days. But my last music phase was pretty Lennon Cohen heavy.
If you weren’t surfing, what would you be doing?
I think I’d still be doing exactly what I do now, travelling and learning about culture and small parts of the world. I think eventually I would study social work or sociology, I’ve started to notice that these are my natural passions.
Some slang you catch yourself saying? (Ie. That slaps)
Unfortunately for everyone around me currently it’s ‘yeaaaaaah brotha.’
What do you do outside of surfing and how does that thing influence or affect your craft?
I think living off grid influences my surfing a lot, just keeps me on a slow rhythm.
The best/worst thing about the surfing industry?
Best thing is that now the industry is supporting people outside of the male white American and white Australian profile. I like to know about a wider range of surfers, maybe that aren’t the best at surfing but love the ocean and are doing great things. And I don’t really pay enough attention to know what’s really shit about the industry, sorry [laughs].
Something you’re most proud of?
When I was young I went through some pretty traumatic stuff, and I’m really proud that I didn’t choose to be a victim, I kept pushing forward and created a life for myself that's even better than what I imagined.
Biggest lesson learned about your craft so far?
I feel like the best lesson I learnt was about surfing from your heart. Which sounds super corny but it’s what changed everything for me and it’s what keeps me loving surfing.
Something anyone can do today to make the world a better place?
How good would the world be if we were all a bit more humble and compassionate.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve overcome so far in your industry?
Because I kind of popped onto the radar out of nowhere, I never had a connection with anyone in the industry. I’ve had to figure out how it works for myself, I have a lot more to learn but little by little it’s coming together - I’m grateful for all the different people I’ve come across so far that have helped.
What was surprisingly easy to do?
Take off on big waves.
What advice might you give to you from five years ago? Ten years ago?
Five years ago I started travelling, I think I would say maybe don’t fall in love with that one guy from El Salvador - that was a fuck up haha!
What is your hidden talent or thing you are good at that is completely unrelated to the thing we are interviewing you about?
“I think living off grid influences my surfing a lot, just keeps me on a slow rhythm. ”
Sadly I’m not very talented but when I’m flying on an aeroplane I always wake up right as the food cart is one row away from me. Never missed a meal. Stoked about that to be honest.
Who do you think is doing it the best/coolest in your industry right now?
I really like Dan Gudaskis right now, he just has his heart in such a nice place it seems.
What’s the most exotic place you’ve been to for a wave?
Is Maldives exotic? Maybe there? Maybe some random little villages I surfed in Costa Rica that had no one around but heaps of Vultures (waves were crap also).
How can surfers be more sustainable?
Donate your old surfboards to kids in need. Actually just donate them to Mentawais - please the kids need them here!
Do you think the surfing industry has a responsibility to the environment?
Yeah for sure we do. It’s kind of embarrassing if an industry that revolves around the environment isn’t invested in protecting it.
How do you mentally prepare to surf bigger waves, or do you just go for it?
The less thought the better, I’m just happy there’s swell I don’t really coach myself through much of the experience. On the way there I’ll visualise myself getting big barrels, but that’s not really to prepare I just do that because it’s fun.
