Welcome to our 'Catching up with' series, here we dive into personal stories of people from our community about their journey, their style, their challenges, and what keeps them hyped on and off the board. Today; Lisa Erwin
With Lisa we talked about her journey from Spain to California, how surfskating became a huge part of her life during the pandemic, and the differences between the surfskate scenes in Spain and California. Lisa also shared stories about memorable sessions, life in Venice, favorite boards and spots, future travel plans, and the lifestyle she’s building around skating, creativity, and community. Dive into it now!
Words by Lars Goos // Photography by
Lisa! So nice catching up with you, give us a short life update and introduction to who you are for those that don’t know you!
Hey! I’m Lisa. I was born and raised in Spain, in a small town in Valencia called Benissa. My parents are German too, so I’m also German. I grew up between both cultures, which I really like.
I work with kids most of the time, I teach skating, I’m a content creator and also model. I’m currently based in Venice, California, where I spend a lot of my time skating, working, and building creative projects around that lifestyle.
What made you decide to move to California?
I wanted a change and to experience something completely different. California just felt like the right place, especially for skating. The culture, the weather, the spots… it all made sense. I knew I’d be able to skate more consistently and really push myself here, in every aspect of my life.
How has the experience been so far on the other side of the world?
It’s been really good overall. Definitely not always easy, but super worth it. Moving so far away puts you out of your comfort zone, but that’s where you grow the most. I’ve met amazing people, learned a lot, and grown as a person.
What are your favorite things about living there?
Definitely being able to skate all year round is one of them. Being outside most of the year makes a huge difference, and I love how easy it is to be near the ocean and mountains at the same time. I also really like the diversity here, so many different people, cultures, and ways of living, it keeps everything interesting and inspiring. And just the general energy of California feels very open and creative, which I really enjoy.
What do you miss most about Spain?
My mom, family, friends, and just the overall vibe of home. And of course Spanish food… la Paella, l’ arróç al forn, la Pilota, los cocidos, las tapas y pinchos, los churros, el Jamón Ibérico,… nothing really compares to that, you have no idea how bad I’m eating here lol. I miss going to my Spanish grandma’s house asking for Putxero. I also miss the culture and the warm energy people have in Spain, there’s just a really social and open vibe that makes everything feel more connected. I miss Spain a lot.
What you don’t miss at all?
Probably the party lifestyle to be honest. We all know how much the Spaniards love the Fiestas, and I feel like I’ve moved away from that phase, so I don’t really miss going out all the time or that routine. I enjoy a slower, more balanced lifestyle now, and I feel better focusing on things that actually add to my day.
Time to rewind further back! How did surfskate come into your life?
It actually started during the pandemic in 2020. After being stuck at home for so long, all I wanted to do was get outside and socialize again. My best friend bought a surfskate just for fun, I tried it, and instantly loved it, I got my own the next day. At first we were just cruising around everywhere because walking felt boring, so skating became our way of getting around. I wasn’t planning on becoming a skater or anything serious at all. Then we found a pumptrack, started building confidence, and eventually met other people who skated more seriously. One thing led to another… and now I take my skate everywhere I go.
What made you fall in love with it?
It just feels super expressive and free. I love how you can really play with your body, your style, and your flow, every little movement changes the ride, so it never feels repetitive. I was never really into going to the gym or running, so it felt really good to find a way of moving my body that I actually enjoyed. But honestly, a big part of it was also how it made me feel; it helped me a lot mentally, especially during that time, and it also led me to find my people. That sense of connection and community made me fall in love with it even more.
How is the surfskate community where you are?
So, when I first moved to California about three years ago, it was actually a bit of a shock. We all Know that Skateboarding in CA is huge, but who would’ve thought Surfskating at the skatepark wasn't. I would go to the skatepark and be the only one surfskating, maybe with one or two others at most. I still remember my first day at the park; I was about to drop into the minibowl and someone laughed and said, “you’re gonna drop in on DAAT?” As if I was crazy or something.
Back then, it just wasn’t really a thing. But that’s changed a lot. Now you see way more surfskaters showing up, and the whole scene has grown a lot. I get why places like Venice can feel intimidating at first, especially if you’re new, but once you get used to it, it’s actually a really good environment.
Now I know a lot of people who skate there regularly, and there are also communities that bring people together through surfskating. For example, my friend Ryan started a group chat that’s now grown to over 200 skaters in the area, so it feels way more connected now than it did back then. And also shoutout to all the girls, there are so many more girls skating now, which is honestly amazing to see.
Any differences between surfskating in Spain or California?
Big yes. In Spain, the level is super high and people really push each other, and the community feels more connected, at least from when I lived there. In California, it’s more independent, but it’s basically a paradise for concrete waves. You don’t even need a skatepark, there are alleys, driveways, sidewalks, hills, ditches… you can turn pretty much anything into a spot. It makes it super fun to explore and just skate everywhere. And honestly, at least where I grew up, there’s nothing that comes close to that.
Best or most memorable surfskate session you ever had so far? Tell us the story!
There are honestly too many to pick just one. But one that really stands out was skating this water dam in the middle of nowhere with Marta, Audrey, Victor, Noodee, Ethan and Travis; it was super unexpected and just insane to ride. First we had to hike in and almost got lost a few times, then climb up the walls to get to the other side of the dam. We were literally pulling each other up with our skateboards, and at some point a few boards even fell into the water so we had to go rescue them. It was pretty chaotic, super fun, and also really hard to skate, also not the safest place, but definitely one of the most memorable sessions I’ve ever had.
Favorite Surfskate shapes and models you skate the most and why?
The Mundaka and the Snappers for sure. The Mundaka is my go-to skatepark board, it’s just the right size for me, not too big or too heavy and it’s the board I’ve learned all my tricks on, so it feels super natural. The Snappers is my favorite for the street, it’s a bit bigger and really flowy, which makes it easier for me to do things like cross steps and just cruise more comfortably.
So how does a day in your life looks like?
It usually depends. I’m a morning person, so I like starting the day with a good coffee and breakfast. I get grumpy I don’t eat. Then work comes first, but every day can look different especially if I do lessons or shoots.
I also try to take little breaks in between to slow down, especially since I live close to the ocean. Even just stepping outside for a bit helps me reset. After work I do all the “adult stuff”, I cook, take care of the household, and just get things done. Then I like sitting down with my husband (Derek), talking about our day, and winding down. We usually end the night with a couple games of Fortnite and a good show before bed.
On weekends I try to be active and spend time with Derek. We’ve been working on our project car lately, It’s a 1993 Miata and there’s a lot of stuff to do, we recently changed the whole exhaust, which was really exhausting haha. It’s nice to have something completely different from skating to focus on too.
Any recommendations for people visiting California?
Yes, I definitely recommend Venice Skatepark since it’s iconic, especially if you’re into skating. And I’d also say definitely explore down south to places like San Diego and Oceanside they have such surf vibe. Surfing in San Onofre is also amazing if you get the chance. California in general is a place with pretty much infinite things to do. It’s not just skating and surfing, there’s so much more to explore.
I’d also really recommend getting out of the city and visiting places like Yosemite and Sequoia National Park, they’re absolutely amazing. The nature there is insane and it’s a completely different side of California that’s just as special as the coast.
Any exciting plans for you in the future that you have in mind?
I’m planning on hosting a few skate clinics, doing some traveling around the US - hoping to go camping in Yosemite next month since my best friend will be visiting - and also visiting my family back in Spain. Just focusing on growing what I’m building, exploring new places, and staying inspired along the way.
Places you still dream of visiting or skating?
There are so many. Japan is definitely high on the list, and I’d also love to go to Thailand and the Philippines. I feel like every place has its own vibe and different terrain, so it’s exciting to imagine skating in completely new environments and just experiencing different cultures along the way.
Thanks so much for your time Lisa! Where can people follow your journey?
Instagram: @lisaerwinxx
