Riding the Flow: An Interview with Longboarder Arielle Hernquist

I caught up with longboarder and all-round wave chaser Arielle after her fourth surf competition. From small-town Mexico to the shores of Hawaii and beyond, Arielle’s story is one of pure love for longboarding, community, and adventure. Her grounded, sun-smart mindset and passion for the water radiate through every wave she rides.

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Shelly: So this was your fourth competition. How did it all begin?

Arielle: Yeah! This was my fourth comp. I started surfing just under four years ago, in this tiny town in Mexico. My best friend and I were total beginners. We just kept going, figuring it out together, and that support made such a difference. She was fearless, like, “who cares what people think—just get out there.” That attitude rubbed off on me.

Learning the rules, the etiquette, the hierarchy in the lineup—it was all part of the journey. And what really pulled me into longboarding was the community. It’s so open, warm, and welcoming. I’ve met friends everywhere from the Philippines to Alaska.

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Shelly: What keeps you stoked on longboarding now?

Arielle: It’s the people, but also the feeling. Longboarding is about flowing with the wave, working with nature, not against it. You’re adapting, reacting, dancing on water. Every wave, every board, every break is always changing. And when you’re hanging ten? All the stress in the world just disappears.

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Shelly: How do you stay grounded in the joy of surfing, especially with the pressures of competition?

Arielle: Honestly, I’m not out to win. I probably won’t ever go for the WSL or the tour. When I enter a comp, it’s for the experience, surfing epic breaks with only a few others out. That’s the magic.

For example, I’ve competed at Queen’s Surf Break in Waikiki. It's usually super crowded, but during comps, it’s just five of us out there. I’d happily pay $50 just for that chance. That’s why I do it. That, and the community vibe—especially at Mexi Log Fest, which is more like a reunion than a competition.

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Shelly: Speaking of Mexi Log Fest, what was your standout moment this year?

Arielle: Oh my god, definitely jumping into the Lucha Libre ring! It’s part of the festival and it’s just for fun—fake wrestling with the full masks and everything. The wrestlers remembered me from the year before and gave me a mask again. The whole crowd, hundreds of people, was chanting. It was just one of those “life’s not that serious” moments. A core memory.

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Shelly: What’s it like surfing alongside such a diverse global crew?

Arielle: It’s epic. You really feel the cultural richness—surfers from Brazil, the Philippines, China, Mexico... all connecting through the ocean. Everyone has their own style based on the waves they grew up with. Like my friend from a small island off China—she’s only been surfing five years and has the most fluid style from riding all kinds of breaks.

At the end of the day, we’re all dancing together, crowd-surfing at the parties, celebrating the stoke. The competition fades away. It’s just love and flow.

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Shelly: Your surfing style is really fluid and athletic. Do you feel like it reflects who you are?

Arielle: Totally. I was a semi-pro soccer player growing up—played for 15 years, all over Europe and Mexico. So I’m strong, athletic, and not easily intimidated by waves.

But I’ve also been working to dial into the simplicity of flow, being present, being in sync with the wave. That’s the sweet spot. All my past training—from sport to swimming to surf—has shaped how I ride.

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Shelly: What changes are you seeing for women in surf?

Arielle: Girls are dominating right now, especially in longboarding. They’re getting recognition, sponsorships, and absolutely crushing it in comps. There are groms here in Hawaii—16, 17 years old—who are surfing at world-champion levels with such effortless style. It's so inspiring. The scene is shifting, and it’s so cool to be a part of it.

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Shelly: How do you stay sun-safe while feeling confident in the water?

Arielle: I mix it up depending on how my skin’s feeling. I wear boardies from thrift stores, switch up bikinis throughout the week, and add layers like long-sleeve surf tops or rashies. I’ve got a long John suit that’s half a millimeter thick—great for leg protection without overheating.

For sunscreen, I’ve found one called Project Reef—reef-safe, hydrating, and it doesn’t make me slip. I also wear Japanese sunscreen on my face every morning, and I rotate what I wear depending on what I exposed the day before. It’s all about balance.

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Shelly: What does sustainability look like in your surf life?

Arielle: It’s about small, consistent choices. Reef-safe sunscreen is huge—chemical sunscreens are damaging the reefs, especially here in Hawaii, where so many are bleached or dead.

I also thrift almost everything—clothes, bikinis, gear. I avoid fast fashion completely. It’s quality over quantity. I’d rather have one bikini that lasts me a year than ten that fall apart after three uses.

When I travel, I shop local, eat at family-run spots, and respect the locals in the water. It’s about listening, learning, giving space. And every time I leave the water, I have a piece of trash tucked in my bikini or wetsuit. It’s not much, but it’s something.

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Shelly: What’s next for you?

Arielle: Big plans! I’ve got a few more comps coming up at Queen’s in Hawaii, then I’m heading to Southeast Asia—Singapore, Bali, Lombok, and eventually the Philippines. I’m planning to settle in, soak up the culture, and of course, surf as much as I can.

And after that—I’m moving to Australia! Starting in WA and working my way along the coast, hopefully hitting places like Crescent Head, Byron, and Melbourne. I backpacked from Sydney to Cairns last year, and I’m keen to explore more. Definitely will be seeing you when I get there!

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Shelly: Amazing! We’re so excited to follow your journey.

Arielle: Thanks, Shelly. This means so much. I love what you’re doing—supporting women, building community, promoting sun safety. I’m stoked to be a part of it.

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🟡 Want to see more of Arielle’s adventures? Keep an eye on Solebarr's Instagram and blog for stories from women who are shaping the surf world with confidence, flow, and sun-smart style.