Talking Story with Paris Wilden

Since we last worked with you, where has this year taken you?

Wow, the last year has been a big one for me! I moved up the coast, landed my dream job with the World Surf League and spent a lot of time on the road travelling around Australia and overseas. There have been so many incredible moments, but stepping out of my little Crescent comfort zone to really chase my dreams has been the biggest highlight. I’ve met so many inspiring people and seen some truly beautiful places.

Where are you from originally and what's the female surf community like there?

I’m originally from Victoria, on the Mornington Peninsula. I spent a lot of my early surf days in Western Port Bay around Shoreham and Flinders. The female surf community, although small at this time, was vibrant. We had a tight knit group of ladies who stayed connected and surfed together whenever possible. I met some of my closest girlfriends in this time.

When I first started surfing around 2015 with the Peninsula Surfriders, there were only about 5 of us regularly in the water. To see how that’s grown into a thriving community of girls and women of all ages over the years has been really epic.

You're currently based on the Tweed Coast - what's daily life like for you there:

I’m an early riser! When I’m not on the road working, you’ll usually find me at a 5am CorePlus pilates class, followed by a walk down to Rainbow Bay for an iced long black at Little Mali. Then it’s home to dive into any creative or freelance work I’ve got on for the morning.

When there are no waves, I love heading down to Fingal Head. The Dreamtime corner is my favourite zone. If I am surfing, I’m usually at Rainbow/Greenmount, and sometimes I’ll venture up to Currumbin. Spending so much time travelling throughout the year has made my time at home really sacred. I make sure I prioritise my people and all the things I love every single day.

You moved up from Crescent - why the move and how was Creso living?

Moving away from Crescent wasn’t an easy decision at all. I ultimately made the move to continue developing my career. It’s hard to put into words what my time in Creso meant to me, it was the most special time of my life.The waves are so fun and we surfed as often as possible, usually more than once a day.

But what really made Crescent for me was the community. It’s a small town of around 1,100 people where everyone knows everyone. You’d see all your mates daily, whether it was grabbing a coffee, surfing, or having a feed at the tavern. I left Crescent with a whole new perspective on life and what ‘home’ and the notion of family means to me.

You model, surf, shoot and overall are just a talented and rad young lady. What else do we need to know about Paris and how can we support what you do?

Not many people actually know this about me and it’s something I’ve only recently started sharing online, but my background is actually in Television Broadcast. I’m a Graphics Producer specialising in live sports. It’s a pretty niche industry and most people don’t realise what my role involves.

Essentially I work behind the scenes on live sporting events, making sure that all the on screen graphics are helping to both inform and enhance the storytelling of the coverage. This job has literally taken me all over the world. From table tennis tournaments in India, to supercross bikes in Abu Dhabi to watching the best surfers in the world tackle 20ft Teahupo’o waves in Tahiti.

When I started this role back in 2021 following the Supercars Championship around Australia and New Zealand, my dream was to one day incorporate surfing into my career.

Fast forward to the start of this year and I was offered the opportunity to work the Australian leg of the World Surf League tour and I haven’t looked back since.

I’ve worked incredibly hard to get where I am. There have been many sacrifices, countless hours on flights and more time away than at home over the past few years, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

To support me and follow my travels around the world and behind the scenes content, you can tune into my instagram @pariswilden

I also have a creative account, where I share my photography and videography @Paris.wilden

If we came to visit you up the coast, where would you take us? What would we do? And where are the coldest beers at??

If you came to the coast with me, I’d take you straight to Creso. We’d camp at Waves Campground, hit yoga or Pilates at Wattle, grab coffee and a feed at Point Break Café, spend the day surfing some of the most fun breaks the coastline has to offer, and finish it all with an ice-cold beer at the Crescent Head Tavern. Honestly, does it get better than that?

Any big projects or trips lined up for 2026?

I’ve got a few exciting work trips coming up with the WSL next year that I’m absolutely frothing on. Other than that, I’ll see where the wind takes me. My schedule can be pretty chaotic and a lot of opportunities pop up last-minute, but they’re always a good time.

Style us out for the lineup, what would you have us wearing:

Literally anything in the Merlot Stripe - that print is the most “me” thing I have ever seen. I’d go the Tankini Surf Top paired with the Betty Bottoms 2.0. Comfort and style always.

Favourite surf spot or destination:

For me, it’s actually hard to go past the East Coast of Australia. We are so blessed with so many fun and different spots, ranging from right here in Tweed and the Northern Rivers, the MidNorth Coast all the way down to the slightly cooler shores of the South Coast.

Words you live by:

Be kind, say yes more often, and never stop chasing your dreams. You can literally create whatever life you want.

Top 10 essential (surf) travel items: