As part of Carve Collective, we are catching up with surfers, shapers, photographers and all round local legends across the UK and Ireland.
Starting from the very bottom of our isle, we talk to Mike Lay.
Give us the basics - who are you, where are you based, and what’s your lane?
My name is Mike Lay, I’m from St Just in far west Kernow, home beach is Sennen. I’m a lifeguard, writer, surfer (longboarder), and recently a cyclist and YouTuber.
What does a normal week look like for you right now?
My weeks are very seasonal, summers are 10-6 on the beach and during winter no two weeks are ever the same. Right now it’s off-season for lifeguarding and also half-term so I’m at home with my wife Frankie and two kids Enys and Mora. I was in Ireland last week filming for a Finisterre project with James Bowden, Luke Pilbeam and Canadian surfer Andy Jones. But this week will be riding bikes on the prom in Penzance, day trip to St Ives and lots of play park time.
What keeps you hooked on surfing at this stage?
My relationship with surfing has changed and fluctuated over the years, especially since parenthood which is a radical shake up of priorities. I value lifeguarding greatly at this stage of my life, it offers a physical release and the opportunity to be in the sea every day while providing a vital service. Enys and I shared a few a waves last year which was phenomenal, some of the best waves of my life.
What are you working on or trying to improve?
I feel I’ve probably reached my ceiling in terms of surfing performance, definitely with longboarding, not that I’m in any way a complete surfer, more that I have maxed out my own ability! So instead of trying to improve in a performance-sense, I have been focusing on maximising my enjoyment of surfing, of lowering my expectations and attempting to enjoy the simple act of riding waves.
What or who has been inspiring you lately?
Ahh man, I’m inspired by most everyone who surfs in Cornwall through the winter. To pick out a couple, Stef Harkon, long time lifeguard, surfer and skater, Stef is into his 60’s and still surfing and keeping fit, as I approach my 35th year I am inspired by his stoke and longevity. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the young surfers of Sennen are super inspiring, kids in their late teens surfing before and after school on shortboards, longboards and everything in-between, and the groms from the primary school who thrive in the sea no matter the conditions, their enthusiasm is inspiring and infectious.
What are your plans for the future, near or far?
In a couple of weeks I plan to set off on the next stage of my ongoing project to circumnavigate the whole of Britain with my bike and trailer and surfboard. I’m doing the trip in stages and am at Bristol so far so the next stage will be all of South Wales. I’m filming my adventure and turning it into a YouTube series. The whole thing has been a massive physical and mental challenge but I’m learning to love it! (I think…).
Shout out one local spot, person, or brand that deserves more love.
Moulded earplugs! Clare and Chris are down the road from me here in west Kernow and offer an incredible service checking out people’s ear’s and making custom earplugs with filters so you can still hear. I have super bad surfer’s ear and wish I had worn earplugs earlier in my career. Moulded earplugs do clinics all around the country so worth going to their website and checking them out.
Any closing remarks?
Thanks for having me on and keep up the good work at the mag. Honoured as always to feature.
Keep up with Mike through his words : https://mikelay.substack.com/archive
Or on his new youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@laymike
