Nails
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

My Other Life: Emilia Perry, pro surfer

Emilia Perry, nail technician. In her other life: pro surfer.

May 1, 2009
My Other Life:  Emilia Perry, pro surfer

“Pipeline is the most crowded wave, so if you can get it to yourself, it’s irreplaceable.”

2 min to read


“Pipeline is the most crowded wave, so if you can get it to yourself, it’s irreplaceable.”

Nails are fine, but surfing comes first for Emilia Perry, a pro surfer and part-time nail tech at Salon Atlantis in Haleiwa, Hawaii. Born in Australia, Perry started surfing at age 13. “When I was 17, I was riding for Billabong and they sent me over to Hawaii. Two days into my trip I met [professional surfer] Tamayo Perry and we married three years later,” she says. Her husband remains her inspiration. “We’ve traveled the world in search of waves,” she says. “When Hawaii stops breaking we like to travel to places like Mexico, Tahiti, and West Australia, where we camp out in the desert. We have also been to Easter Island and rode a wave in England down a river.” Perry can claim some notoriety in her own right. She’s a regular competitor at Pipeline, the legendary surfing spot on Oahu’s North Shore. “I have competed at every women’s Pipeline event in the last 10 years, except when I broke my ankle skateboarding,” she says. “I made fifth in the world at the bodyboarding event and in shortboarding I made the semi-finals.” Right now her sponsors include WRV, Ant Surfboards, Third Stone, Future Fins, and Astrodeck. It’s the challenge that keeps her going. “It keeps you on your toes — especially at Pipeline. Pipeline is the most crowded wave, so if you can get it to yourself, it’s irreplaceable,” she says. “It keeps me healthy and I go to work with a smile on my face.” To catch Perry in action, go to www.grindtv.com/video/girls/emilia_teaser.









Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Business

A row of styling stations at JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon
Business|Articles|Mar 3, 2026

Precision, Passion, and the Business of Beauty

When Bowie Lau and Jeffrey Ching opened JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon in 2011, they weren’t just launching another luxury hair destination—they were building a business rooted in passion, artistry, and thoughtful growth.

Sponsored by Amex

Ad Loading...
Business|Articles|Nov 27, 2024

Prepare for Small Business Saturday® with American Express

The busy holiday season is here, and with it comes jam-packed days, last-minute client requests and booming retail sales. For many salon owners, the highlight of the season is Small Business Saturday® (SBS). This year on Saturday, November 30, consumers can take their shopping into the small businesses in their communities.

Sponsored by Amex

Ad Loading...
Business|Articles|Oct 22, 2024

Success at the Top: Thriving on Madison Ave.

Salon owner Nuri Yurt had a dream of owning a salon on New York City’s Madison Avenue. "Through perseverance, hard work and stellar customer service, he and partner John Kaygisiz founded Toka Salon in 2007.

Sponsored by Amex

Business|Articles|Sep 6, 2024

Vagaro’s New AI Features and Communication Tool Pave the Way for a More Efficient, Profitable Business

Vagaro has consistently been at the forefront of salon software technology, helping businesses be more efficient, create more effective communication, and even improve company culture. Now, Connect by Vagaro, the platform’s two-way communication capability, and Vagaro’s new generative AI tools are giving owners new opportunities to grow and expand.

Sponsored by Vagaro

Business|Articles|Aug 6, 2024

5 Things I Won't Do as a Nail Tech

This list of watch-outs from @jodydoesjels prompted us to reach out to her and learn more. We had already fallen for her hand-painted designs and now we wanted to know more about this list she created to help clients decide if she was the nail tech for them.

Ad Loading...