We speak to SEN teacher turned surf film producer Clare Ventham 

A working life of creativity can feel out of reach for so many of us, the type of thing that the lucky few get to do, whilst the rest of us have ‘normal jobs’. But there is another way too, and that’s to just go out and create, and see if that can somehow become your job over time. Clare Ventham is one of those people. 

Clare is the producer of HotPipe Hillbillies, a fantastic documentary about my local surf spot near Brighton, The Hotpipes (also fondly called the Shitpipes). The surprise, given the quality of the film, is that Clare is a first time producer, and her normal day job is as a SEN teacher. 

Clare has clearly had a fire lit inside her since the experience (despite it being a harrowing 2 years that coincided with the team balancing their day jobs, Clare being pregnant for the second time and much more); and is keen to now translate this experience to new films and storytelling (one of which we are partnering on which is incredibly exciting). 

We talk about:

• The origination for the film & how it connected her to the surf community when she couldn’t surf (she was pregnant when the plans began)
• The importance of inclusivity in the sea
• The transition from teacher to producer
• Her first surf experience (and why it was a shocker)
• Motherhood & surfing and the supportive mates who make it happen
• Hobbies like sea fishing & why surfing & fishing both provide a reset
• Having a kick ass mum as a role model

It’s a lovely interview, showing that you can pursue any creative goal you choose, as long as you’re willing to work hard at it.

I hope you enjoy it, let me know what you think

—----

Presenter: Caroline Keylock 

Producer: Selma Chalabi

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.