20 Questions with Logan Nicol

 

How old were you when you first started surfing?

I first started surfing when I was 10 years’ old

What is your earliest surf memory?

My earliest memory of surfing is me and my dad heading down to the beach on a late summer’s evening. We had one board between us, and we would take it in turns with one of us on the beach whilst the other one surfed. It was after that night that I got hooked on surfing and have been doing it ever since.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

The advice I would give my younger self would be to dream big and to be as dedicated as you possibly can, because it really does pay off.

Which surfers do you look up to?

My favourite surfers are Matt Banting, Kelly Slater, and Gabriel Medina

What surfboard do you use and why?

I’ve been experimenting with a few different boards recently. But, the main ones I use are a Puravida Logopin when the waves are big, a Dufeu Surf Box for everyday waves, and when it gets small I’ve got a new Epoxy 4th surfboard which has been flying!

What do you eat/how do you fuel up before a big competition?

I try keep it simple when it comes to food, especially around a competition. I am not one of those guys who will go super strict and just eat salads and smoothies, because that is not what my body is used to. However, I definitely think the days of fuelling up with a packet of Haribo are behind me.

What would you say to someone who wants to try surfing but struggling to take the leap?

For someone interested in giving surfing a go I would recommend having a surf lesson. A good surf school will give you all the tips you need to steer you in the right direction. And should give you the confidence and knowledge to go out and practice on your own.

What do you pack in your bag when heading out surfing?

When I head for a surf, my main essentials are always: a waterproof jacket, (as you never know what the weather will throw at you) a flask of coffee in the winter, and some spare socks never go a miss!

Who has been your biggest support/fan throughout your career?

My parents have played the biggest role in my career and have really helped push and encourage me to achieve my goals. They have really taught me the value of hard work and believing in myself.

What is your proudest professional moment so far?

I have lots of moments I am proud of, however being able to represent some amazing companies -many of which I have been a fan of before getting to work with them - has made me really proud and drives me to do my best.

Where is the coolest place you have ever surfed?

 One of my favourite places to surf was Morocco. The waves were amazing, and I loved getting to drive around the coast and see the awesome scenery it had to offer as well.

How do you handle pre-comp nerves?

Nerves are a tricky one before a contest, but for me making sure I listen to some good music and do as many “normal” things as I can before my heat is crucial. This includes things like waxing my own board and watching the surf a bit before I go in (just like I would do before any surf) definitely helps.

What is your favourite beach in the UK?

 My favourite beach has to be Freshwater West. I have so many fond memories of going there as a youngster.

What do you do to wind down after a big competition?

Just spending time with my friends really helps me to relax after a contest and brings back some normality. There can be a lot of pressure with competitions so bringing some form of familiarity back into my headspace helps a lot.

Which competition are you most looking forward to this year?

In the immediate future, it’s got to be the Animal Open at Boardmasters! It’s always such a great competition with a high level of competitors and the festival is a addition too. Going into winter, I will really focus on trying to get to as many of the European WQS events as I can, and try to build my ranking on that tour.

How did you cope with lockdown? What things did you do to get creative/train?

At the start of lockdown it was really hard and I had to get imaginative. I was lucky enough to be given some home workouts to do by my sports therapist at Kinetic Ability so that kept me focused. Then, later into the year, I was given an elite athlete pass by Sports Wales which allowed me to travel to train and I was very grateful for that.

If you could invite one person to dinner with you, who would it be?

 If I could only choose one person to bring to dinner, it would probably be Kelly Slater… he is my hero!

What song do you have on repeat this summer?

My summer song is PYT by Wale! Such a tune

What is your favourite Animal product?

My favourite animal product is the Dean Men’s Organic Trousers, they look so nice!!

What do you like most about this year’s collection?

My favourite part of this year’s collection is the sustainability message behind the range. I love working with brands who care about the environment, and with Animal passionate about their surf heritage, they seem really keen to make positive changes that will have a positive impact on everyone in the surfing community.

Follow Logan on Instagram

Read Logans - A Day in the Life of a Professional Surfer here