Surfs up: Lawyer leaves profession for waves

A FORMER Scottish women’s surfing champion has given up her legal career to set up a surf school covering Aberdeen, Banff and Fraserburgh.

Dee Ripoll. Picture: Complimentary

Dee Ripoll, 27, who took the Scottish ladies title in 2011, set up Coldwater Surf School after seeking advice from Business Gateway Aberdeen City & Shire. She said: “My heart was never really in law but I wanted to complete my traineeship before making such a big career decision.

“My family have been very supportive and know I didn’t want to wake up years from now thinking ‘what if’.”

Ripoll has been “pleasantly surprised” by how busy she has been so far, teaching adults and children how to surf, along with providing lessons for corporate groups. Now she is preparing to head to France for the summer months.

“The sea in the North-east is like a millpond from July until the end of September, and people are already keen to get booked up for later in the year when we experience some amazing waves,” explained Ripoll.