A Surf Girl Stab Adores: Brook Power

The surfer/model dynamic is one Stab’s thoroughly interested in exploring.

And few do it with such impact as Brook Power, 2017’s Playboy Playmate of the Year, whose work with our friends at Slowtide our readers are no stranger to.

For their spring offerings of soft, fluffy, post-surf parking lot envy-inducing towels, blankets, and ponchos, Slowtide and Brook are back at it, and we took the chance to lob a few questions her way, as the California-born, Hawaiian-raised regularfooter’s never been anything but candid.

Brook Power will make you perspire even in the dry Ojai heat.

Photography

Slowtide.

When did you start surfing, Brook? What drew you to it?

I started boogie boarding when I was like 5, in Waimanalo. I guess some dumb kid told me boogie boarding wasn’t cool anymore or something (lies), so I started to surf when I was maybe 8.

My dad would take me out at Sunset or Makaha, when it was like big and stormy, and just ditch me.  

I would get so worked, I have no idea why i kept surfing—masochistic, maybe. I remember the Makaha backwash launching me sooo high one time. There isn’t much else to do in Hawaii though so I kept doin’ it. It’s pretty fun. [wink]

The surfer/model in the Age of Instagram carries a certain Title to it. Why is surfing the perfect pursuit for a model who ain’t afraid to get some sun?

I mean mostly because when you’re traveling and surfing it’s hard not to get some beautiful images and that’s what instagram is all about.

But yeah since I failed miserably to become a pro surfer, which was the plan in middle school, model/surfer was plan B.

What’s a dream sunny Los Angeles day with surf look like for you? You a Malibu 1%er?  

I live in Inglewood and Ventura. Malibu is filled with tightasses, I don’t think I could live there. It’s still pretty, though.

But a Dream Day is overhead First Point with nobody out.

When I was little, before we moved to Hawaii, you could ride horses on the beaches in Malibu (before the tightasses moved in and made it illegal—such bitches).

It was so epic. I remember seeing the son of The Black Stallion (which was my favorite movie) this big, black Arabian horse, running on the beach at First Point…

So throw that into the Dream Day, too. Bury the baby boy, Ozzie, in the sand and let the dogs lick his face. And then get fish n’ chips at Neptunes Net, and some beers.

Who are some of your favorite people to surf with? Any, um, colleagues, whose talent on a board we might be surprised by?

I like surfing with people who are just happy, like Kassia [Meador] always gets me so stoked in the water. And just silly people who don’t take surfing too serious! Ugh, isn’t that the worst?

I know lots of babes who rip—Brooke Dombroski, Danica Elbertse—but I feel like most models who surf have already been scooped up by some surf company.

There are also tons of models who are preaching the #srfrgrl life and never step on a board at all, it’s silly. [Laughs]

Have you ever been anywhere for a shoot where you were kicking yourself for not having a board?

Ummm, one time I was shooting Target Swim (lol) in the Virgin Islands, and there were perfect little crystal clear three-footers off this island that was covered in mini donkeys. It was pretty cute.  When I’m shooting though they’re slave drivers, shoot til after sunset, up before sunrise, so It’s not like I would have time to surf any way. Only if it’s a surf job, which are the bessst.

“I know lots of babes who rip—Brooke Dombroski, Danica Elbertse—but I feel like most models who surf have already been scooped up by some surf company. “

Photography

Slowtide

We love the shoot you did with Slowtide. Any embarrassing moments when you wished you’d had a good towel?

When I was like 13-15, we would go to Sandy Beach, on the South Shore of Oahu all the time after school, and body surf.

That place can really mess you up, and one time I got so worked and discombobulated that I didn’t see that my bottoms untied—no towel on the beach either. My ears were so packed with sand, I was like seeing stars. I don’t even remember what i did, like ran to my moms house nakey,  I guess.

The nuanced art of the hair wrap.

Photography

Slowtide

Beach towel or big beach blanket?

More the merrier, beach fort if it’s hot, bundle up if it’s cold

“When you’re traveling and surfing it’s hard not to get some beautiful images.”

Photography

Slowtide

What far-flung adventures are filling up your calendar for 2018? What’s next for Brook Power?

I have to go live in Italy for a while, starting in April. Living in Milan, so I’ll probably tour around, through France and Italy. Hopefully get fat on pizza. Hopefully get down to the homeland of Sicily. I always go to Asia or South America to surf and work, so Europe is a bit of a welcome change. 

Not that there’s a backdrop Brook wouldn’t brighten, but the spring Slowtide collection sure is easy on the eyes.

Photography

Slowtide.