Liz Clark’s journey is the stuff of dreams for adventurers and surfers alike. In 2006, she set sail from Santa Barbara aboard her 40-foot sailboat Swell, embarking on a solo voyage across the South Pacific. What started as a surf trip quickly became what the L.A. Times called “an environmental awakening.” For over a decade, Clark navigated through 20,000 nautical miles, discovering not only new surf spots but also herself and the interconnectedness of the natural world.
Now, Clark captures her incredible journey in her memoir, Swell: A Sailing Surfer’s Voyage of Discovery (Patagonia, paperback, ISBN 9781952338229, $22), released on May 14. Written aboard her boat and from her makeshift “forest office,” her memoir recounts her high-seas adventures, moments of solitude, personal discoveries, and the challenges of living at one with nature.
Clark’s love for the ocean began at age 9 when her family spent nearly a year sailing the Mexican coast. That experience sparked her dual passions: a deep desire to protect the environment and a dream of captaining her own boat one day. Fast forward to 2006, at age 22, Liz turned her dream into reality, leaving the California coast in search of waves, freedom, and a life of sustainable living.
Her adventures, spanning the western coast of Mexico, Central America, and the islands of French Polynesia and Kiribati, have drawn a global following. Over 102,000 people follow her inspiring journey on Instagram (@captainlizclark). She also gained attention for her travels with Amelia the Tropicat, her beloved feline companion who sailed with her for years before passing in 2017.
Since the original publication of Swell in 2018, Clark has settled in Tahiti, where she continues to share stories of how her book has impacted readers, many of whom have been inspired to embrace nomadic lifestyles or purchase boats of their own.
Clark is not only a sailor and surfer; she is a dedicated environmentalist. After earning her BA in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara, Clark combined her passion for protecting the earth with her adventurous spirit. For more than a decade, she has kept her nomadic lifestyle afloat by writing, photographing her travels, and representing environmentally conscious brands. Her story has inspired people around the world to follow their dreams, reconnect with nature, and live sustainably.
Featured in the 2009 surf film Dear and Yonder and nominated for National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year in 2015, Clark’s legacy as a surf adventurer, environmental activist, and captain continues to inspire those seeking to explore the world and protect its beauty. Her memoir, Swell, is a vivid testament to the power of nature and the uncharted paths we can follow when we allow ourselves to wander.