Imogen Caldwell is not your average teenager. Having grown up at Red Bluff in Western Australia she was always destined for a life dosed in saltwater. Most surfers would agree that surfing ‘The Bluff’ is somewhat a rite of passage not unlike Uluwatu in Indonesia. It is no wonder then that this bubbly seventeen year old is perpetually stoked. Red earth, marine life and a world-class wave are but all the stimulation she needs in stark contrast to most city folk her age. For Imogen it’s hard to imagine a life where paradise is but a short stroll away.
Tracks recently spoke to Imogen while she was on the east coast.
Where the desert meets the coast. Red Bluff is home to one of the best waves in WA. Photo by Lockie Caldwell
Who is Imogen Caldwell and how did you come to living at Red Bluff?
I’m seventeen, born in Newcastle and my family is from Nelson Bay. When I was young we lived in a caravan and traveled the bottom half of Australia for twelve months until we got to Red Bluff. I’ve lived there for the past ten years.
Tell me about your family?
There are seven of us. I have an older sister, an older brother, two younger brothers and Mum and Dad. My Dad pretty much got us into surfing. He works seven days a week on the station to keep our family at the Bluff and it’s been a mental childhood because of him and my Mum.
What is it like living at Red Bluff?
Living at the Bluff is very unique. There’s no TVs, no mobile phone reception no civilisation, no shoes. It’s different to every other place you would of lived at before.
No phones, no TV, no worries when you have tubes like this on your doorstep. Photo by Reid Durant
What are some of the responses you have had from people when you tell them you live here?
Whenever you meet people they say you’re so lucky and you do take it for granted. When you go to cities you miss it and you want to go home. You don’t realise how good you have it.
Run me through a typical day in the life of Imogen Caldwell?
On a school day, wake up; check what the weather is like, check the point and if the point is good I get up. I’ll see what my elder brother Lachie is doing. Then walk five minutes up the point or if the tide is up wait for it to drop and then go for a surf.
I would imagine it’s a fairly high testosterone, masculine environment. How do you negotiate being a young girl in the lineup?
Well when you first paddle out and people see a young girl most guys think I’m not going to give her any waves. All the locals usually sit right on the inside and so once they see you paddle up there and take it on they realise that you are a local and are going to take what comes.
Imagine sharing this lineup with only your friends and family for hours on end. Photo by Peter Dywer
Tell me about one memorable session that has stands out that you’ve had there?
When you’re out in the water with just your family and your close friends that live there, it’s glassy and there’s nobody out with perfect lefthanders coming through. They are the best days.
How did you get into surfing?
I only started surfing two and a half years ago. I wasn’t really into surfing, then I just started and I couldn’t stop. Having a massive, hollow lefthander at your front door means you’re pretty much out there every day.
You’ve already qualified for the WA Under 18 State team. What do you put that down to?
Probably growing up and surfing with my older brother Lockie who is an epic surfer. Going surfing with him and always wanting to get to his level but not being able to quite get there has made me want to succeed more.
Imogen sending a shower of salwater to the West Australian sky. Photo by Jake Harman
Do you see yourself embarking on a career as a competitive surfer?
I’m pretty stoked freesurfing at the moment and having the opportunity to be in the water. But I would like to be doing the ASP events next year. I just want to travel everywhere.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
Right now I’m based in Nelson Bay working three jobs trying to save money to go to Fiji next year. Fiji looks insane I really want to go to Cloudbreak. My brother went there last year and got some work at one of the resorts that allowed him to surf and stay for free. So that’s something that I’d like to do.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks to all my sponsors Rusty Australia, Gravelle Surfboards, Adelio Wetsuits and Surf Mate accessories.
Will we see Imogen Caldwell in a contest jersey one day on the ASP Women’s World Tour? Photo by Ebony Caldwell
