Rebranded and reimagined…the story continues…
 

 

LYF Swell (formerly LYF SUP) was born from a passion for surfing, standup paddleboarding, yoga and love of nature.  Founder, Allison Martin-Attix was introduced to the sport by her Dad, a skilled waterman who learned to surf in Hawaii as a boy and can still be found riding waves in California.  While living away from the ocean in North Carolina, Allison discovered that standup paddleboarding could get her on a board and in the water without grabbing her surfboard and heading to the beach. She launched her business in 2013 to provide the NC Triangle area with a new and growing sport.

Allison's lifelong passion for surfing led her to explore the world of paddleboarding in 2010

Allison's lifelong passion for surfing led her to explore the world of paddleboarding in 2010

Raised on the sunny coast of Santa Cruz, California, Allison Martin-Attix was immersed in a surfing and water-loving culture from the beginning.  

Allison began surfing, meditating and practicing yoga during college to help balance the stresses of school and work.  Her true passion for teaching others began early on when she started teaching friends how to surf.  After moving nearly 3,000 miles east to the small town of Chapel Hill, NC, she attuned her love of teaching to yoga.  She completed her RYT 500 with the late Esther Myers and offered classes at local studios. Her combined love for water, surfing, yoga and being outdoors made standup paddling and SUP yoga instruction a natural progression.

Allison Martin-Attix, Founder and Lead Instructor

Allison Martin-Attix, Founder and Lead Instructor

In the spring of 2013, she became certified through PaddleFit and the WPA (World Paddle Association), learning from PaddleFit founder, Brody Welte and waterman/performance coach, John Denney who, alongside Laird Hamilton, helped pioneer many water sports including SUP.  Along with Paddlefit Core and WPA, Allison's additional certifications include ASI (Academy of Surfing Instructors) SUP Yoga, ASI paddleboard, E-RYT 200/RYT500 through Yoga Alliance, water rescue, CPR and first aid and she is a certified meditation coach.  In 2018, LYF Swell became one of just a few ASI certified SUP Schools in the USA.  Allison has been featured in online magazines, adventure columns, calendars and as a speaker at events and environmental fairs. She has also been a guest blogger for Hala Gear.

In 2020, the pandemic along with Allison’s physical challenges reimagined the business. Allison relocated back to her home town on the west coast, California, and has since rebranded and reinvented the business to some degree. Teaching others what she loves is still at her core but with less emphasis on paddleboarding. Now a certified HeartMath Mentor and coach, she offers mindfulness training for athletes and anyone wanting to find effective ways to reduce daily stress.

Allison has found much solace and joy on and off the water and she's grateful to share the many benefits of yoga, SUP, surf and mindfulness with others.  She creates a welcoming environment for all levels of student, from beginner to advanced practitioner. You’ll find that her classes are uplifting and embody a relaxed pace. 

LYF Swell is dedicated to building a local and global community of like-minded humans and protecting our precious ecosystems. Each year, a percentage of profits are donated annually to causes that protect our water and natural environment.