I first met Gretta when she joined our instore Sea Bones team and was instantly stoked by her warm and sunny demeanour. With a background in marketing and now splitting her time between ceramic studies, the ocean, and styling women for the lineup, we caught up with G to get the d-low on what floats the Gretta-boat...
Where are you from and what's the female surf community like there? The Northern Rivers has and always will be home. I grew up surfing in Evans Head. There weren't too many chicks in the line up then but all the old mal boys were always calling me onto waves and making sure I got my fair share. I live in Byron now and the female (and male) surf community is what draws me to the bay. We're so blessed to share the ocean with like-minded folk who inspire me daily and share similar values of looking after and appreciating our planet.
You recently returned to Byron after a stint living and working in Bali. How was island life for you? Any challenges about living in Indo? Living in Bali wasn't all palm trees, waves, hammocks and coconuts as I'd expected. Due to my work, I found myself living in Canggu - man that place is busy - there would literally be a new restaurant, bar, cafe opening every day. For me, there was a lack of cultural diversity and I found myself stuck in what felt like a social media vortex. I was once invited to a party because I was considered a "social influencer" (no joke!). That's when I knew it was time to get the hell out!
As soon as I could escape my work commitments, I beelined it for West Java where I spent a month living the village life, getting waves and making new friends.
Talk to us about clay: what is it about this medium that you love? The only thing I love more than catching waves is throwing clay. One of the oldest practices in the world (can you believe that the first tool ever made was a bowl?!), it's a never-ending form of curiosity and experimentation. There is nothing more exciting than opening a kiln and inspecting every single piece for the magic that the firing has left. I get excited when I see friends enjoying coffee holding one of my cups or going to my sister's for dinner and see her proudly serving up one of her incredible feasts on a platter I made. I love gifting flowers in a vase instead of just the flowers. If I can spend every day playing with clay and catching waves, well, life really doesn't get much better than that.
What does style in the lineup mean to you? For me, style is all about attitude. Those having the most fun, bringing the best vibes, wearing the biggest grins and sharing the joy of the ocean are hands down the most stylish surfers out there. That's what it's all about!
Style us out for the lineup, what would you have us wearing...Feel Good Inc coconut sunscreen, save the bees zinc, Salt Gypsy Betty Bottoms (I love the navy star), a hat and any old surf tee.
Any goals for 2018? Generate an income from my pots and hang 10!!!
Favourite surf spot or destination: East Coast OZ - there are so many hidden treasures. I love nothing more than packing up my van and heading south with boards, beers, and buddies.
Words you live by...Be present in every moment, be true to yourself and never, ever stop having fun!
Top 10 essential surf travel items:
- boards, dah
- sun protection (hat, suncream, zinc)
- all the mates you can muster up
- snacks and water
- wax
- beers
- tunes
- enough supplies to stay if the waves are good
- matches for evening beach fires
- SMILES
Photography by Ming Nomchong and Amber Jones
