Once you're a Surf Sister, you're always a Surf Sister!

Year after year, staff come back to be part of this amazing 'family'. They are inspiring, strong, independent, confident crew who do what they love and love what they do.

Check them out! Send them snailmail. Give them treats. It's the simple things that gets them excited.

 

Krissy (AKA Surf Momma)

The mother hen. Inspiration to all. Story teller extraordinaire. This girl has passion, drive and and dedication. She works hard and pours her heart and soul into supporting her staff, friends, family and the community. She's the best boss and friend you could ever ask for. Talk to anyone about Krissy and they'll light up and probably have a story or two to share. She knows how to have a good time! Krissy loves long boarding, short boarding and isn’t afraid to throw down on a boogie board if the conditions call for it!

Tiff

If you are looking for a good time, track down this beauty by following the echoes of her contagious laugh. This girl pours her heart into making sure anyone that walks through the doors at Surf Sister has a good experience and surf lesson. She cares so much about surfing, we are certain she wants you to enjoy it as much as she does. Tiffany inspires us all to be better surfers with her early morning surfs almost every dang day and her yoga practice that keeps her shreddin'. She is the queen of the big hugs and and if you need it she'll pet your head like a cat. We love Tiffany almost as much as she loves birds… Almost.

Kate O

Our Surf Sister shack mama! Kate has a contagious personality and if you are lucky enough to take a lesson from our Surf Shack location, you were probably greeted by her big smile, her epic tales from her extensive travels and of course - Salty Dog, our favourite furry shop mascot. Kate makes surfing fun, and she looks freaking cute and badass doing it. We hope you get to meet Kate one of these days, because Surf Sister wouldn’t be the same without her.

Alyssa

With a total of almost two decades of surf experience in Tofino, France, Mexico and El Salvador, Alyssa has learned all the “dos” and “don’ts” of catching and riding waves! Alyssa’s surf career began with a surf lesson at Surf Sister at age 15. Despite being from the prairies, she spent most of her summers on the island with her family, where she was grew an intense connection to the ocean. Alyssa has been teaching with us since 2017, and loves getting students of any age in the water. Her passion in meteorology and biomechanics has allowed her to have a deeper understanding of how the weather and ocean relate, how to isolate certain ways our bodies can move and appreciates the patience needed with any extreme sport. If you can’t find her in the water, Alyssa will likely be on the beach with her family, or resting up at home with snacks!

Jazz

Jazz loves big waves and little dogs. Hailing from Gibsons, BC, she’s lived in Tofino for several years and will be the one to convince you that the west coast is the best coast! She discovered surfing during a stint in Australia and knew she had to move to Tofino to pursue Canada’s cold water waves when she returned home. Now she gets to share her passion for surfing with her students, both in Tofino and abroad! When Jazz isn't out teaching advanced surf lessons or shredding her locally shaped Cox Bay fish, you can find her taking photos, walking her tiny dog or going on good ol’ outdoor adventures.

Liz

Liz has always been a water baby, spending her childhood swimming in rivers and lakes. While traveling, she got to know the ocean and became deeply curious about surfing. Liz took her first surf lesson in Byron Bay, then made Tofino her home break. Liz always wants to remember what is was like to be a beginner and how to simply have fun! For her, surfing is a lifelong journey where there is always something to learn and discover. She believes that no one is too old to start surfing (or anything) and loves it most because it’s like dancing on water. Liz is also a yoga instructor, plant based chef and volunteers with the SurfRider Foundation!

Sarah

After spending her days daydreaming about her next surf trip, it was finally time for Sarah to leave her office job behind and move to the island. Growing up and chasing surf on Lake Superior in Thunder Bay, ON, Sarah traveled every opportunity that she could to surf in places such as Barbados, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Tofino and Australia. While each place was unique and beautiful in its own way, Barbados and Tofino have a special place in her heart! Sarah loves coaching, and she is a total animal lover! She gets really excited about a good left, and brings the positive energy and smiles all day long! Sarah also spent the past 4 years as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor and loves a good workout!

Jess

Surfing, craft beer, and dogs. Just a few of the things Jess loves. Originally hailing from Ontario, she made the move out west over 14 years ago to chase the snow. After completing the Adventure Guide program at Thompson Rivers University, Jess quickly realized that teaching people to surf is her true passion. She has since shifted her journey and moved away from the mountain life, so that she could plant herself in a wetsuit everyday. Living in Tofino and working at Surf Sisters has allowed Jess to grow and connect deeper with who she truly is. (She is also a surf nerd and teller of dad jokes, sometimes we call her Jeff). “The mountains helped me dream and the rivers led the way, so the ocean could steal my soul.”

Ava

Ava was raised on the West Coast of BC, a pluviophile through and through! She fell in love with Tofino and Surf Sister after taking her first surf lesson with us at the age of 12. Since joining the team in 2019, Ava has developed a deep love and appreciation for instructing and sharing her stoke for surfing. The most rewarding part of teaching for Ava is connecting folks to the power of the ocean and encouraging bodies to move in a new way. Ava spends most of her time with her dog, in the woods, on the beach, or in the water. A few of her other favourite things include oysters on the half shell, bowling, the Rolling Stones, travelling, tall trees, and great clothes. Be sure to say hi if you see her, she loves to make friends in the water!

Rachel

Rachel was born and raised on the island and feels very lucky to have had it as her playground. She has been in the water with us for a year while living the van life. She’s addicted to learning new skills, whether it be ripping on a new board, playing an instrument or making preserves from her yard. You might even catch her cruising on the MUP. If you can’t find her in a wetsuit with her surfboard, you’ll find her in a pair of overalls with her chickens. Tofino is where she fell in love with the culture and sport of surfing. We are so excited to have Rachel at Surf Sister this summer before she heads back to the mountains for her nursing program.

Ruby

Ruby is super active! She loves to surf, camp, hike and go out boating. She loves the water and knows lots about ocean life and the local wildlife. Ruby and her family have even saved wildlife, including a bear cub. Ruby has lived in Tofino for her whole life. Her family also owns a boat touring company, so she spends lots of time out on the water even when she’s not surfing. She loves to longboard warm water peaks in Mexico, but winter in Tofino isn’t too bad either. She is always stoked to be out in the water - it’s her favourite thing!

Jorynn

Jorynn loves everything Greek mythology, music or books. At any given time you can always find her with a book in her bag. She started surfing back in 2021 in Tofino alongside her older brother. This year, she got to surf in Mexico where she fell in love with the feeling of being on the waves underneath the hot sun. When Jorynn was little, she used to spend hours in the water: whether at pools, in the ocean, or in the lake. That love has never faded and being able to turn that into something more means the world to her!

Ella

As a Tofino local, Ella is grateful for growing up near the ocean. As a grom (young stoked surfer), Ella spends most of her free time surfing. When she is not out on the water, she spends her time hanging out with friends, exploring the coast, watching movies or TV shows, and enjoying her favourite music. As a new addition to Surf Sister, Ella is stoked to share her love of the water with other people. Oh, and did we mention she rips?!

Liv

Liv was born on the east coast but grew up in Ontario missing the ocean. After visiting Tofino (for one afternoon) on her first trip to BC in 2022, she began planning her move out west! Liv has lived in big cities like Toronto and Paris as an Aupair, but did a full 180 when she fell in love with small communities and surfing. It was then that she knew Tofino was where she wanted to be for a long, long time. Liv loves longboarding and the health benefits the ocean and surfing has brought to her! When she’s not teaching, Liv spends her time reselling vintage clothing, sewing, creating art, and researching herbs- but mostly, cuddling her cat.

Paula

Paula grew up in Germany where she spent her time swimming, doing gymnastics and kickboxing. After highschool she started surfing in Bali, on her first of many years abroad. Since then she’s taken every chance she gets to combine traveling and surfing- including beaches in Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Ireland and Portugal. After falling in love with cold water surfing in Tofino, she doesn't see herself settling down in Germany any time soon. Paula’s perfect day starts with an icy morning surf followed by amazing food and another sunset surf with friends. If she isn’t working you can find Paula living her best island granny life: reading, knitting or doing yoga on the beach.

Carson

This They/Them indentifying Gemini has a passion for adventure and recently traded in a stressful career for the freedom of chasing waves. With 7 years of surf experience, Carson is thrilled to be guiding you through the waves with Surf Sister. If you’ve had the pleasure of surfing with Carson, you’ll know that they love to incorporate their yoga teacher knowledge into their surf side instruction (hope you like cobra pose)! As a passionate nature advocate, Carson is always seeking new ways to connect with the world around them. When Carson’s not in the water, you can find them with their fur buddy Ke Tha chasing mountain adventures in their camperized ambulance.

Chris

Chris was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario where he spent his childhood chasing his two older brothers around the local ski hills and hockey rinks. Chris started surfing while he was studying at the University of Victoria by taking a Day One Lesson with Surf Sister and has become obsessed ever since! When he’s not out shredding the waves, you’ll find Chris walking his adorable dog- Joey, cooking up a delicious home cooked meal or catching up with his friends and family back home.

Ashtyn

Ashtyn grew up in London, Ontario where she was surrounded by sports. She has always been obsessed with fitness and movement and studied a dual degree in Kinesiology and Nutrition. Asthyn is a certified personal trainer, wheelchair-fitness leader and gymnastics coach. Her surfing journey began with her first surf lesson in California and continued when she moved to New Zealand in 2020. After returning home, she did a backpacking trip across British Columbia and decided to move to to her favourite little town, Tofino! When Ashtyn’s not working for Surf Sister, she’s probably out for a surf herself, biking, running, reading or finding a way to escape to the mountains. If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that Ashtyns love for sharing sport and movement is here to stay… But this time it’ll be in her happy place- the water!