Imogen (Caldwell) Brown
Dylan Rowe
Imogen (Caldwell) Brown is a fearless surfer who pioneered women charging especially here in Australia!
She’s guaranteed to be sitting deeper than you while surfing at her home break or any heavy water left hander for that matter! She's not only a charger but a mum to 2 epic little humans, a model and one of our Elite PARGO ambassadors.
We caught up with Imogen recently to hear how growing up off grid made her not only who she is today but also how important (clean) water is, especially when you're in the middle of nowhere!
PP: Hey Imogen! How have you been?
Imogen: Hey team! I am bloody good, life is chaotic and full of surprises at the moment but I’m loving every minute of it with my lil fam.
PP: The last time we chatted you were deep in finishing off your house build tackling some nice and sweaty jobs! I think stone mason was the challenge… How's it all going?
Imogen: Stonemasony, texture coating, painting, we just had our pool installed and will probably take on paving next – we’ve learnt a lot and are somehow still happily married.
PP: Have you been getting any waves recently or has it been all painting and concreting?
Imogen: Plenty of waves but not many without a tiny grom on the nose of my board, it’s hard to sneak away for any time to myself these days – but I’m just stoked they are loving it as much as we do.
PP: When you're not surfing, what does a typical day look like for you?
Imogen: Honestly it’s a mixed bag, we live life so weather dependent with Cortney’s job as a commercial cray fisherman relying heavily on the weather report and me working + a full time stay at home mama. I absolutely HATE being indoors for too long and will often pack up and head off on an off grid adventure if Cortney goes to work for a few days, which generally coincides with glory weather. I’m not intimidated by solo adventures with the kids, I thrive on it.
PP: You juggle surfing, modelling, and being a mum - how do you balance it all?
Imogen: I’m still working out the balance thing, not going to lie- it’s hard! I just take it day by day and am grateful to have a super supportive partner and family.
PP: Growing up off-grid in one of the most remote and rugged parts of Western Australia. How did that environment shape you, both as a person and as a surfer?
Imogen: Growing up in such a remote and rugged part of WA had a huge impact on who I am today. It taught me to be incredibly independent and resourceful, as we didn’t have the luxuries that most people take for granted. We relied on our surroundings, whether it was the land or the ocean, for both survival and leisure. The harsh conditions made me really appreciate the little things and forced me to think outside the box.
In terms of surfing, this environment definitely shaped my approach to the ocean. Being in such a wild, untamed part of the world, I became comfortable with navigating challenging conditions, and I developed a deep respect for the power of nature.
PP: Having access to clean water is pretty normal for most of us in Australia and New Zealand but what was it like for you growing up? Were there times when it wasn't accessible for you up north in WA?
Imogen: Growing up in an arid area of WA with little rainfall, water wasn’t something we could take for granted. We solely relied on tank water, which made every drop precious. Showers weren’t really a thing — we’d bathe in the ocean daily instead, which was actually pretty cool in its own way! When it came to things like doing dishes, we’d make do with just a couple of inches of water, and I don’t think I properly washed my hair until I was in my mid-teens when I started traveling for work
PP: What kind of systems or methods did your family use to collect and store water?
Imogen: We relied solely on rainwater to get by, so it was all about making the most of what we could collect. Our family had large water tanks that would catch rainwater from the roof. Every time it rained, we'd catch as much as we could, and the tanks would fill up — but it didn’t always last, especially during dry spells
PP: How has that experience shaped your appreciation for hydration and clean water today?
Imogen: I think living that way really shaped my respect for water and made me understand just how important it is to preserve such a vital resource.
PP: You've been rocking the PARGO products for a while now! Can you tell us your fav product and how it's helped with your busy lifestyle?
Imogen: Easily the 1.89L Bottle, this big guy caters for the whole team so I don’t have to pack 7 water bottles everywhere we go AND with the straw lid it’s easy for the kids to manage.
PP: What's your hydration tip for living in one of the hottest parts of the world?
Imogen: Stay ahead of the game and always hydrate, even before you feel thirsty. I learned early on that dehydration can sneak up on you, especially when you're chasing waves or running after groms at the beach. I make sure I’ve always got my biggest PARGO bottle with me, to keep the whole fam happy.
