HAYLEY BURNS

Born and raised in Santa Cruz, California, I was raised with an affinity for traveling as a result of my globe-trotting parents bringing me along on international family vacations starting at a young age. I graduated from University of California, Santa Barbara in 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication. I considered studying abroad, but instead doubled up on units and was able to graduate a year early. I knew I’d prefer to travel freely, rather than have to be under curriculum abroad.

Post-graduation, I moved home and worked nearly non-stop the next seven months to save every dime for traveling. In January 2016, I hopped on a one-way flight to Sydney, Australia with my now-husband Shaun, and started this travel blog! We didn't know when we'd return — instead, we planned month-by-month. That first leap took us across Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Japan. We came home for 4 weeks to freshen up and then took off to the United Kingdom, France and Spain.

Fast forward to now — we're based in Santa Cruz, CA,  got engaged in Italy (!!!) and married in California wine country, and we’re always planning the next vacation and surf contest expedition. I work from home (or on the road). I'm incredibly lucky to have a remote career that allows the flexibility to continue my travels!

SHAUN BURNS

Also born and raised in Santa Cruz, California. Shaun started surfing around age 10, and has been in the water almost every day since. Shaun's traveling also started at a young age, with the vast majority focused on surf destinations.

Shaun made a tough decision and put his surfing on hold to get an education: He graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2015 with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Management. Post-graduation, he is pursuing the World Surf League Qualifying Series (WQS) international surf competition tour. Shaun is thankful to get support from his sponsors, O'Neill Wetsuits, O'Neill Surf Shop, Famous Traction and Guayaki Yerba Mate.

PRESS & PUBLICATIONS

QS-ing Around The Globe. Printed in the December/January 2017 Issue of Santa Cruz Waves. Read the online version here.

Windows + Angles. Short film by Skyler Nilsen documenting Shaun's returns home to Santa Cruz, CA to surf and explore the region that shaped him. See it featured on Surfline, here.

College, Then Competition. Editorial interview with Shaun Burns by Taylor Paul, featured on the online version of Surfing Magazine. Read it here.

It's Alrights. Short edit by Skyler Nilsen, filming Shaun surfing his favorite home-breaks around Santa Cruz, CA. See it on Stab Magazine, here.

Get Your Om On! Travel editorial on the best yoga + wellness retreats, written by Hayley for LEFAIR Magazine. Read it here.

Spring Fever. Travel editorial on the top spring destinations, written by Hayley for LEFAIR Magazine. Read it here.