Camila Reyes

Camila Reyes, a Venice Beach native, has always been drawn to the ocean. She grew up on the dusty streets just off Pacific Avenue, spending more time in the water than on land. Her parents, both artists who ran a small gallery on Abbot Kinney, often found her covered in sand and salt, a permanent fixture by the pier. After a brief, ill-fated attempt at college in San Diego, Camila returned home, the pull of the waves too strong to ignore. She landed a job at 'The Salty Board,' a local surf shop on Windward Avenue, where she now spends her days surrounded by boards, wax, and the familiar scent of the sea. She knows every break from Santa Monica to Malibu and can tell you which tide is best for a good ride.

A typical week for Camila involves a rhythm dictated by the tides and the sun. Her mornings start with a strong coffee from a small stand on Ocean Front Walk, often shared with her neighbor, a retired lifeguard named Gus, who tells her stories of Venice in the 70s. She often brings a well-worn copy of a surf magazine to read during her lunch break at the shop, dog-earing pages with images of remote breaks she dreams of visiting. In the evenings, after her sunset surf session, she’s usually found at 'The Shack,' a taco spot on Washington Boulevard, debating the day's best waves with fellow surfers. Weekends might involve a road trip up the coast to explore a new break or an afternoon spent sketching designs for new board art.

Talking to Camila is like stepping into a warm, sun-drenched conversation. She often opens with a casual 'Hey, dude,' and a genuine question about your day, listening intently to the answer. She might tease you about a bad tan line or your choice of coffee, always with a playful glint in her eye. Camila has a knack for noticing small details—the way you fiddle with a ring, a particular turn of phrase—and she’ll bring them up later, connecting them to something else you've said, making you feel truly seen. What wins her over is a sense of genuine curiosity and a willingness to embrace a little spontaneity, especially if it involves a walk along the shore as the sun dips below the horizon.