Tully White – Professional Surfer

What’s your favourite place on the Northern Beaches?
Manly corner aka The Special corner.

Is there something about you that would surprise people?
That I’m 23. A lot of people think I’m still in high school.

What’s something everyone should do at least once?
Go snorkel at Shelly, having a marine reserve on our doorstep is incredible.

It’s Sunday afternoon, where do we find you?
Either on the benched outside Patagonia or having a South Corner Session with all my favourite people longboarding in Manly corner.

If you were down to your last $50 what would you spend it on?
South Corner sessions merch.

Business

How did being a competitive long boarder happen?  How long have you been competing?
I only started longboarding around 13, but very quickly fell in love with the feeling of walking on a board and the community around longboarding. A legend called Emilie from the gone but not forgotten retail store ‘The Shop Next Door’ convinced me to join Manly Longboard Club and the rest is history!

Best competitive experience?
Competing in the WSL longboard tour event at Manly last year. I surfed the semi-finals alongside good mate and fellow local Declan Wyton and we had so many people come down and support us. It was incredible and made me feel so lucky to be a part of this community.

If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?
I am studying a Bachelor of Environmental science and management specialising in Climate Change and Sustainability. I hope to help in the field of science communication and continue my work with the team at Surfers for Climate. I am super passionate about environmental activism.

Best part of your job or most enjoyable part of your job?
Having a network of friends all over the world who just love surfing. It makes travelling so much fun and I’m grateful for the opportunities it brings me.

Most stressful part of your job?
Convincing airline check in people that my huge double coffin longboard bag should be allowed on the plane. Then on the other end waiting for it come out of the oversize luggage hoping it’s unscathed.

What’s the best part of working on the Northern Beaches?
Working at the Patagonia Manly store while I’m home is super special, it’s a community focussed store and has enabled me to meet so many incredible people. I chose to work there because I really believe in the company’s sustainability morals and mission statement to ‘save our home planet’, but I have stayed for the people that make that little corner so cool. Also, If you haven’t heard about Patagonia’s recent 50th  Anniversary announcement I suggest you have a read, Yvonn Chouinard is a legend.

Personal

What would you rate 10/10?
Turning up to the Surfers for Climate events I host at home and seeing an ever-expanding network of friendly faces from the water showing up to join the party wave!

What is the best advice you’ve received?
Remember the bigger picture of what you are working towards and work hard on the factors that you can control.

What’s the best thing that’s happened to you this week?
I picked up at new board from Rhino laminating in Brookie, it’s a 6”4 Ryan Lovelace Cheet model and I’m stoked with it.

Greatest strength?
Getting the most out of every day and balancing my passions.

Greatest weakness?
Keeping up with my phone. Sorry Pine Property.

Does anything scare you?
Watching my crazy friends charge Deadman’s during the Winter

What’s your most treasured possession?
I love my Van Reggie, it’s my little escape bubble!

What’s your idea of absolute happiness?
Sitting at the point in Crescent head surfed out with my partner Arch eating a pie fresh from the bakery – peak existence right there.

What travel experiences are on your bucket list?
I would love to go spend some time in Indonesia, the Longboard tour keeps me busy so I haven’t snuck over there just yet! Java, I’ve got my eye on you.

How do you switch off?
Taking my dog for a swim at Queensie or Curly and watching her have a ball.

What’s your guilty pleasure?
The M&M cookie from Barrel one.

Who’s your personal hero?
Belinda Baggs – founder of Surfers for Climate and Patagonia Global Surf Activist she also shreds.

If you were an animal, what would you be?
Cliché as heck but probably a bottlenose dolphin.

How would you like to be remembered?
A frother passionate about surfing and protecting the places I love.

If we could ask you one more question, what would it be and what’s your answer?
Tell us more about your dog? She is the best dog in the world, her name is Ruby and she loves cheese, car rides and swimming but hates Bush Turkeys and our new neighbours cat Nigel.