From Melange Magazine, January 2025
Liv Stone, a vlogger and three-time Para Surfing World Champion, shares her passions for surfing, cooking, travel and adventure on her YouTube channel. Whether riding waves or experimenting in the kitchen, Liv’s vibrant energy inspires viewers to embrace life fully.
When Liv talks about surfing, you can hear the ocean in her voice. Not the gentle lapping at the shore but the crashing, bold, untamed waves that are fiercely alive. Liv surfs those waves with a kind of audacity that makes you pause—not because she’s a surfing champion, but because she seems to embody the rhythm of life itself: unpredictable, fierce and wildly beautiful.
Liv is not a textbook motivator. She’s not here to tell you life is perfect, but if you watch her take on the swell with nothing but determination and a pair of custom-made aquatic prosthetics, it’s like she’s whispering to the universe, “Let’s see what else we can do.”
PHOTO CREDIT: @harmonyleah
Making waves
Liv was born a congenital bilateral above-the-elbow amputee with two fingers on each hand, a condition she describes with casual grace. “I didn’t lose anything,” she says. “This is just the way I am.” Growing up in Pennsylvania, far from the sun-drenched beaches of California, Liv’s life didn’t scream “future surf star.” But the thing about Liv is that she doesn’t listen to what life screams. She listens to what it whispers. And somewhere in those whispers, surfing called her name.
At 14, she caught her first wave in California. It wasn’t love at first splash, it was more like an electrifying jolt that rearranged her world. “I didn’t even know surfing could be my thing,” she admits. But that one moment on the board changed everything. The ocean became her canvas, her workout partner and her greatest teacher.
Learning to dance with the ocean
Liv’s surfing is unique. She doesn’t “pop up” on the board like most surfers. Instead, she flows from her knees to her feet, a movement that’s become her signature style. “I’ve had to adapt,” she explains. “And honestly, it’s not about making it easy—it’s about making it work.”
Her adaptive aquatic prosthetics—customized paddles—are a game-changer that transformed her surfing. They allow her to paddle more efficiently, catch waves with greater ease and navigate the water safely, empowering her to tackle challenges in the ocean with confidence. The waves? They don’t wait for anyone. “Surfing’s taught me that you can’t fight the ocean,” she says. “You have to flow with it.”
The ocean is a paradox. It’s tranquil and terrifying, chaotic and calming. Liv’s relationship with it mirrors the complexity of life itself. There are days when she battles towering waves that leave her breathless and bruised, days when the ocean holds her down longer than she’d like. But every single time, she gets back up.
PHOTO CREDIT: @chrisgrant
More than medals
You’d think someone with three world championships under her belt would consider gold medals the pinnacle of her career. But Liv’s biggest wins aren’t made of metal, they’re made of moments.
Like the time three little girls, sun-kissed and wide-eyed, ran up to her on the beach asking for a photo. “They didn’t care about my disability,” she recalls. “They just thought I was cool.” Then there are the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) clinics, where Liv, as an ambassador, helps kids with disabilities ride their first waves. “Watching them light up, it’s better than winning any competition.” Beyond surfing, Liv stays active through running and other activities, always encouraging others to move, explore and embrace their potential.
Surfing and being active is about shredding stereotypes and showing the world what’s possible. “People see me and think, ‘If she’s out here doing this, I have no excuses.’ That’s powerful.”
Beyond the surfboard
When Liv isn’t dominating the surf, she’s studying environmental science, cooking up a storm in her kitchen, or losing herself in the pages of her Kindle—she’s an avid reader. Her love for nature runs deep, fueled by unforgettable experiences like going on safari in South Africa, where elephants and lions roam free. “It’s humbling to be so close to something so wild,” she says.
Fun fact: Liv is also a poet. Yes, this remarkable surfer writes poetry. “It’s just another way to process the world,” she says with a shy laugh. “Sometimes, words feel like waves—they crash in when you least expect it.”
Redefining inspiration
Liv doesn’t like being labeled an inspiration for doing everyday things. “I’m just living my life,” she says. But when she’s out on the water, pushing her limits, carving lines into waves that seem impossible to conquer, as a first-class athlete, there’s no other word for it. However, being an athlete always comes first, her disability second. She emphasizes that adaptive athletes are competitors who train, perform and push boundaries just like anyone else!
She also doesn’t want people to idolize her, instead, she wants them to embrace themselves. “Don’t try to be me,” she insists. “Be you. Be the best version of you.”
Best travel experiences
Liv’s favorite adventures take her to places where nature feels alive. She treasures the winding California coastline, from the iconic cliffs of Big Sur to hidden beaches up north, and the serenity of camping under star-filled skies in the Sierra Nevada. She’s surfed the warm waves of Costa Rica and South Africa and also explored South Africa’s breathtaking landscapes, where safaris offered unforgettable encounters with wildlife. Whether it’s a cozy van trip through Oregon or watching a sunset over endless ocean waves, Liv loves the simplicity of being outdoors, where every moment feels meaningful and real.
Most memorable accommodation
Her stay at Marataba in South Africa was nothing short of incredible. The luxury safari tents offered a perfect balance of comfort and immersion in nature. Surrounded by stunning landscapes and wildlife, every detail—from guided safaris to delicious meals—made it a truly magical experience she highly recommends to fellow adventurers. It was a dream adventure come to life!
Worst camping experience
Liv recalls her worst camping experience as a lesson in preparation. A chilly night with inadequate blankets and a thin sleeping bag left her and her friends shivering in 40-degree September weather. They cut the trip short, but it taught her an important rule: always pack the right gear for outdoor adventures!
Parents are awesome!
“Parents are awesome,” Liv says with a smile, reflecting on the love and support that have defined her journey. From uprooting their lives, moving from Pennsylvania to California so she could chase her surfing dreams, to sharing cramped spaces on family road trips filled with laughter and occasional challenges, they’ve always been her greatest cheerleaders. Their sacrifices and endless encouragement have shaped her into the person she is today. They are the foundation of her courage, strength and accomplishments!
A message to the world
Liv Stone’s story isn’t a neatly tied package with a “look at me” bow. It’s a reminder that even when life hands you a board with challenges, you can ride the waves and carve your path. And maybe you’ll motivate others to do the same.
Her advice? “Find what makes you feel alive and chase it. Don’t worry about how hard it is. Hard is what makes it worth it.”
Liv Stone doesn’t just ride waves. She creates ripples. And if you listen closely, they’re whispering: What’s stopping you?
