Ivy Miller has used her surfing roots to pave a unique, and undeniably fun, career path. Photos: (L) Kayla Stagnoli (R) Miller//Facebook
Some of us spend our entire childhood at the beach, surfing. Others are weekend warriors and holiday chargers. And the less fortunate among us grow up landlocked, aspiring to someday set foot on a surfboard. But for Ivy Miller, surfing is woven into her genetic makeup.
Raised in Southern California by a family of lifeguards, Miller has been surfing for as long as she can remember. In her hometown of Carlsbad, surfing is more than just a sport, it’s the culture. And Miller fits in seamlessly.
But today, Miller’s path has diverged, to say the least. While she will forever be a surfer, she’s an excellent athlete and a sneaky good snowboarder. Not to mention a model, comedian, writer, and host – and she makes a living out of poking fun at herself. Here, Miller talks about how her portfolio became this diversified, so to speak, how comedy became her thing, and what it’s like being called that dreaded word: an “influencer.”
How did you first get into surfing?
I grew up in Carlsbad, California, where surfing wasn’t just a sport, it was the culture. My whole family surfs, so it was kind of inevitable. We even had surf PE and a surf team at school, so it was literally woven into daily life. I didn’t have a dramatic “first wave” moment, it was more like surfing was always just… there, like riding a bike or brushing your teeth.
When did you know you were hooked?
I always thought surfing was neat, but I got hooked one summer day when I was about six. I spent the whole day in my swimsuit, covered in sand, on the beach with my best friends, surfing on the nose of my dad’s board. The water was warm and clear, and it felt like I was flying. We ended the day with a bonfire, and I just remember thinking, “This is it.
For me, surfing has always been about more than just the sport. It’s the culture, the community, the joy. Yes, the action keeps us young and stoked, but it’s all the little things attached to the action that makes people fall in love with it.
Oh yeah, she can ride a board on snow, too. Miller, in Japan. Photo: Jon Hechtkopf
Were you involved in any other sports growing up?
I surfed and snowboarded equally growing up. That’s pretty common for Southern California kids. I grew up watching people like Brock Crouch, Judd Henkes, and Hailey Langland rip in both surf and snow – it was super inspiring to see them shape their careers without putting themselves in a box. What really stuck with me was how they seamlessly wove style into both forms of board riding. It made me realize how much room there is for expression, no matter the medium.
Did you ever do any comps?
Yeah, I competed growing up, in both surf and snow. I actually won a few contests back in my day, but I quickly realized I might be a little too friendly and easily distracted for the competitive lane. I love the art of surfing, and the second things get too serious, my little knock knees start shaking. That said, I did do Stab Highway, which is kind of a competition-meets- road-trip. You pick your team, spend 10 days completing surf challenges, and just have a blast. We ended up winning, which was the cherry on top.
What does your surfing look like today?
For a while I put pressure on myself to get clips, struggled with comparison, and the need to be “on,” but it didn’t align with my personality. I came across the term wabi sabi, the idea that there’s beauty in imperfection and simplicity and it changed how I surf. Now I just draw on the wave however I’m feeling that day. Some days I’m on fire, some days my legs don’t work. I love trying weird boards, chasing new waves, and giggling with my friends. Surf trips are still alive and well and I still froth like a 10-year-old.
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How is lifeguarding a part of your family’s lives?
More than surfing, lifeguarding has been deeply embedded in my family’s culture. Both my parents were lifeguards and started a company out of their van in the 80s making lifeguard uniforms. The company is now called Watermen and has a pretty big cult following. My dad was a search and rescue fireman up in Half Moon Bay. My parents are core lords.
My brother’s gnarly too. He has two medals of valor for saving families off cliffs in NorCal and has lifeguarded for over 20 years. He’s now a fireman in San Francisco. I lifeguarded in North Carolina and Encinitas for over 10 years.
Wow, you’ve done so many different things in your career. What are some of the different gigs you’ve had over the years?
It’s been a wild ride getting to where I am now. Surfing opened the door for modeling, and I’m currently signed with Wilhelmina. I had a series with Red Bull TV called Ivy Being Ivy, and since then I’ve hosted major sporting events, performed at stand-up comedy festivals, written for Netflix productions, and hosted a Netflix series where I interviewed talent on rollercoasters. We actually won a Webby, which was pretty surreal. Surfing will always be in my blood, but I’ve been loving the chaos and creativity of the entertainment world.
What would you say is your job title today?
Depending on the day, I’m a model, comedian, writer, host, or someone who gets paid to accidentally soil themselves in a wetsuit on camera. You could call me a multi-hyphenate creative, or just someone in a long-term, dramatic relationship with adrenaline. At the core of it all, I use humor, movement, and curiosity to connect with people, whether it’s on a wave, on stage, or trying not to black out on a rollercoaster while interviewing celebrities.
How did you first get started doing comedy?
I’ve been making videos and writing plays for my friends and family for as long as I can remember. My first inspirations were The Amanda Show and Matilda — I watched them on repeat until I basically had them memorized. After that, I begged my mom to take me to auditions, and I started going to castings in L.A. when I was five. I’ve always been obsessed with how productions come together behind the scenes. Comedy was just a natural outlet for my curiosity and need to create. Eventually I would love to get into directing films. I’ve always just loved immersing myself in different perspectives.
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What’s it like being an “influencer?”
For a long time, I resisted the word “influencer” mostly because of the inflated egos tied to this imaginary number on a screen. But I’ve since embraced it in my own way.
I think of social media like a gallery that someone’s walking into. I want them to feel something when they land on my page, not just scroll through ad after ad. It’s like a new-age magazine, and I’m super selective with the brands I work with. It has to look like art, and I have to genuinely align with the ethos of what I’m cosigning. The influencer space is still so new, and it’s been an adventure shaping what that title means to me.
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what do you think you’d like to do for a living?
If I weren’t doing what I’m doing now, I think I’d be a criminal defense attorney. I’ve always loved strategy, nuance, and standing up for the underdog. A lot of my agent friends have also joked that I should work for them because I’m a total bulldog when it comes to negotiating. I genuinely love a good deal and I get way too excited about contracts.
