Meet the young Gold Coast surfer embracing self-belief, resilience and the freedom to be entirely herself
For 90 years, Ella Baché has championed a simple belief: when you feel good in your skin, it shows. Our In My Own Skin series continues this legacy, exploring the relationship between skin health, individuality and the confidence that comes from feeling comfortable with who you are.
For young Gold Coast surfer Charli, confidence is not about perfection or always having the answers. It is built in the ocean, strengthened through discipline and shaped by the courage to trust herself, even when the conditions are unpredictable.
As she steps onto the world stage, we spoke with Charli about the realities behind competitive surfing, the lessons she has learned from the ocean and why her new partnership with Ella Baché feels so naturally aligned.
Where confidence feels effortless
For Charli, feeling most in her own skin begins in the ocean.
“I feel most confident when I’m in the ocean and surfing. I get to choose what I want to do on a wave. It’s empowering, very freeing and when I feel most confident.”
That feeling extends across every part of her surfing experience, from competition and coaching to the simple pleasure of free surfing. It is where she feels good about herself and free to express who she is.
Although the ocean had always been part of her family’s life, Charli began pursuing surfing more seriously after moving to the Gold Coast. Surrounded by a community where surfing was part of everyday life, her connection to the sport developed naturally.
Learning to trust the process
The ocean is constantly changing. Conditions can shift quickly, and no two waves are ever the same. For Charli, this unpredictability has become one of her greatest teachers.
“You build a whole lot of adaptability. You must be confident in yourself and your beliefs. I think that translates into being true to yourself and believing that what you’re going to do is the right thing.”
She has learned that confidence does not always mean feeling completely calm or certain. Sometimes, it means drawing on the work already done and reminding herself: I’ve trained for this. I’ve worked for this. I trust myself.
As her career progresses and more expectations enter the picture, that self-belief has become even more important. Charli acknowledges that pressure is part of competing at a higher level but says having a supportive crew around her and remaining focused on her own training help her stay grounded.
Social media may show the waves, the travel and the competition-day highlights, but it rarely captures the preparation required to reach those moments.
Behind every event are weeks and months of daily training, gym sessions, coaching, experimentation and learning. There are goals that are not always reached immediately and moments of uncertainty when progress can feel slow.
“People see a lot of perfection on the internet, but they don’t always see the process of trusting the dream you have and sticking it out through the hard patches.”
For Charli, resilience is found in continuing to work, remaining driven and staying connected to what she loves, even when the process feels challenging.
Redefining what confidence looks like
As she has grown through surfing and competition, Charli’s understanding of confidence has evolved.
She once associated it with being at the top of the rankings or fitting a particular image within surf culture. Today, confidence feels much more personal.
“Confidence to me now is about feeling good about myself, staying true to my values and being happy with how I express myself. I’ve come to realise it’s about who you are as a person and how you feel about yourself.”
In a sport where athletes are frequently photographed in swimwear and wetsuits, appearance can easily remain at the forefront of the mind. Charli says learning to embrace herself has helped her move beyond that external pressure.
“When you really embrace yourself, you can say, ‘This is me,’ and nothing else matters.”
Caring for skin that lives outdoors
Long days spent surfing mean Charli’s skin is regularly exposed to the challenges of an active, outdoor lifestyle, including sun, salt water and changing environments.
For her, looking after her skin is not simply about appearance. It is part of feeling prepared, comfortable
She explains that finding Ella Baché products that suit her routine has helped her feel supported in caring for her skin while maintaining an active lifestyle. Healthy-looking skin, she says, reflects the confidence she feels within and helps her feel ready to take on the next challenge.
Turning perfectionism into purpose
One quality Charli has learned to embrace is her perfectionism. Rather than allowing it to become a limitation, she is discovering how to use it in a more positive way.
“I have a dream, and I’m happy to make sacrifices to make it come true. Perfectionism pushes me to be better. I’ve learned that it can be a great thing if you use it in the right way.”
It is a mindset grounded not in appearing perfect, but in setting meaningful standards, remaining disciplined and continuing to grow.
Her advice for young people pursuing their own ambitions is equally honest.
“It’s okay not to be the cool kid. You don’t have to be in the spotlight or constantly winning to be good at something. Discipline and belief are more important. If you have a dream and you’re passionate about it, that’s what will get you there.”
Her message is simple: success is a long journey, and self-belief matters far more than fitting in.
A partnershp grounded in shared values
At this stage in her journey, Charli wants to work with brands that feel authentic and reflect who she is as a person.
Her connection with Ella Baché extends beyond skincare. As a family-run Australian business shaped by generations of women, our shared belief in individuality, confidence and feeling good in your own skin made the partnership a natural fit.
“I want to partner with brands that are authentic and reflect me as a person. I love the products, and the fact that Ella Baché is a family-run business driven by incredible women really aligns with me.”
Looking towards the next wave
Charli’s ambitions are big. She wants to continue competing on the world stage and pursuing everything she can achieve in the water. Away from competition, however, her vision remains grounded in something even more enduring.
She wants to stay true to her values, celebrate the smaller achievements that build confidence and, above all, continue being a good human.
And when asked to complete the sentence, “I feel most in my own skin when…”, her answer brings everything back to where it began:
“I feel most in my own skin when I’m in the ocean, surfing a wave, being free and just having fun.”
We are proud to welcome Charli to the Ella Baché family and to celebrate the next chapter of her journey, both in and out of the water.
Explore the expert Skin Solutions designed to help you feel confident in your own skin.