Talking Story with Marley Alvarez

Where are you from and what's the female surf community like there?

I grew up in Sydney, about 45 mins from the beach — funnily enough, I actually learned in WA on a holiday. I’m not super across the scene, but the surf girls I know from Sydney are all legends.

You're currently based in Byron Bay - what's daily life like for you there?

Life’s a mix of calm and chaos. I spend most of my time painting in the studio, writing, sipping coffee, surfing all weekend, catching up with mates, and cooking (which I love). I also work with Salt Gypsy on the back-end ops and just started studying again — so it’s a full-but-good kind of busy.

Talk to us about your art practice. How did you land on that as a vocation?

Art’s always been the language I speak best. It got serious when I realised the joy it brought — to me and others. A residency in Shanghai shifted everything, and now, like surfing, my practice is about flow, connection, and creating something bigger than just me.

If we came to visit you in Byron, where would you take us? What would we do? And where are the coldest beers at??

We’d jump straight into a coffee and brekkie at High Life in Byron – it’s always a vibe. Then head for a surf in the bay, depending on the wind. Lunch would be at Mangosteen in Bangalow (so yum!), maybe another surf – hahah – and then we’d ease into the arvo with a cold beer at Eltham Pub or Salty Mangrove…your choice.

Any big projects or trips lined up for 2025?

I’m still working on that but more camp/surf trips with a bit of fishing involved is sounding pretty good to me right now.

Style us out for the lineup, what would you have us wearing:

Soundwave Ruched Rashguard & the Black Betty Bottoms!!

Favourite surf spot or destination:

I've scored some dreamy waves in the Northern Rivers region.

Words you live by:

Trying and failing is better than not having tried at all.

Top 10 essential (surf) travel items:

Surfboard
Bikini
Zinc
Hat
Towel
Ombré Sarong
Tunes
Snacks!
Film camera/ dad cam
A good attitude.

Anything thing else we need to know and how can we support what you do:

If you’re into art, I’ve got some special pieces up online at marleyalvarez.com . I also share my creative journey on Instagram and TikTok — come join me and see what’s happening!