Hi, I’m Liz Clark– surfer, sailor, captain, author, nature & animal lover, and environmentalist. I grew up in Southern California and now live in Tahiti, French Polynesia.
Can you tell us a bit about your passions beyond “work”?
I’m lucky to say that my work includes my passions! As a Surf Ambassador for Patagonia, author, and director of a non-profit in Tahiti, I’m living my passions for surfing, environmental and animal welfare activism, creative writing, plant-based eating, and ocean conservation every day.
Do you find that these passions blend, merge, or complement your work?
It’s one big beautiful blend!
What are your materials, and how do you think about them?
My surfboards, my sailboat, my computer for writing and communication– I’m grateful for these awesome tools to carry out my work and passions!
Do you have any “heroes’ to speak of? How are you inspired?
I’m inspired by strong women who stand up for what they believe and forge new paths for other women, like Jane Goodall, Harriet Tubman, Greta Thunberg, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart. I’m also inspired by all forms of Mama Nature and grateful for the beauty and magic she provides in my life everyday.
A key ingredient to building a sustainable future?
Building an economy based on green energy sources instead of fossil fuels, reducing and replacing plastic production with a sustainable alternative, reducing animal agriculture, and globally shifting toward plant-based diets. These would be my top three!
A book that shaped your life?
Writing my own book shaped my life immensely! It’s the story of my 10-year, 20,000nm voyage as captain of my 40-foot sailboat. It’s called Swell: A Sailing Surfer’s Voyage of Awakening.
Most sublime moment in nature?
I’ve had more than my fair share, but swimming with a baby humpback whale was unreal!
What have been your biggest challenges?
Sailing solo, learning to tube ride, learning to love myself fully, fixing my sailboat, writing a book.
What do you do when you get out and away from the office/lab/kitchen?
Surf, freedive, hike, yoga, read, play with my dogs.
What other brands do you love?
I love Patagonia, Avasol Suncare, Zeal Optics, & Mizu for their environmental values and always trying to do better for the planet!
What keeps you going?
My love for nature and my partner, family, friends, & pets.
A personal style?
I wear discarded, unmatching flip-flops that I find during beach cleanups. I haven’t bought a pair since 2014 because I was sick of finding so many washed up on the beach and decided to start collecting them and making it my personal style and statement. I love how it’s a constant reminder when I look down not to purchase unnecessary items!
