Making an Impact: Mika Zyn Cook on Surfing and Environmental Advocacy

At Vampire Surf Club, we take pride in highlighting remarkable individuals who not only ride the waves with passion but also drive positive change and make a meaningful impact in their fields.Today, we are thrilled to introduce Mika Zyn Cook, a dedicated surfer, sustainable agriculture advocate, and recent winner of the Women’s Open Division at the Magic Mind Classic Surf Competition hosted by The Venice Surfing Association.

In this interview, Mika shares her journey from catching her first wave to making waves in the world of environmental restoration and sustainable living.

VSC: Tell us about your relationship to surfing—any memorable first waves?

Mika: The first time I went surfing, I was six years old in La Jolla, CA, with my dad teaching me. He wanted to raise a surfer girl, and before he left this earth 11 years ago, he could proudly say he achieved that mission.VSC: How did it feel to compete and win the Magic Mind Classic?

Mika: Insanely amazing. That was my second time competing; the first was late last summer in another VSA Northside event. I didn’t know I had that in me :)VSC: Can you share a bit about your background and what you do when you’re not shredding at Venice Pier?

Mika: While I grew up surfing the Venice Pier and enjoy coming home to visit my friends and family often, I now live and own a home in beautiful Humboldt County, CA. I moved there full-time eight years ago after falling in love with the forest landscape and the allure of starting my career in the newly legitimate legal cannabis industry. With a Bachelor's of Science in Conservation Resource Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, I've known for over a decade that my passion lies in environmental restoration and sustainability optimization. As I grow older, I become increasingly grateful for surfing, and the importance of both shredding and wiping out as my favorite detoxification activity, helping me detoxify myself as I work to help detoxify our natural world.VSC: What inspired you to pursue a career in sustainable agriculture, and what are some of the key projects you are currently working on?

Mika: I grew up in Venice, where the beach was my only (and obviously frequent) regular exposure to the natural world. I knew I craved a deeper connection to nature when I intuitively chose to pursue a degree in environmental sciences with a focus on Sustainable Agriculture Systems. Currently, I work as a freelancer wearing a few different hats: Cannabis Compliance Consultant and Grant Writer, Dinsmore Woody Feedstock Aggregation Pilot Project Manager, Little Larabee Creek Road Maintenance Association President, and Contract Manager for a local heavy equipment contractor and wildfire emergency response provider.VSC: What advice would you give to people who want to live a more sustainable lifestyle?

Mika: Buy less. Buy better quality. Buy local. Eat local. Read the ingredients. Re-use whenever possible.

VSC: How important is sun protection to you as a surfer, and do you have any tips or favorite products you use to stay safe in the sun?

Mika: I just started geeking out on sun protection (something I wish I had started nerding out on a decade ago). The products I use include my new Vampire Surf suit (duh), a surfing bucket hat, and most recently, I’ve been trying out this awesome new tinted sunscreen stick that I love. It’s called the Avasol Surfer’s Barrier Stick, made with 100% natural ingredients and super cute zero waste packaging.Mika Zyn Cook’s journey from the Venice Pier to Humboldt County exemplifies the spirit of dedication, passion, and resilience. Her work in sustainable agriculture and her achievements in surfing inspire us all to pursue our passions while making a positive impact on the world around us.