THERE'S A WAVE FOR YOU.

Surf Her Way encourages women and girls to discover the freedom and joy of surfing as a way to be abundantly connected to nature and each other, be confident and happy.

Surfing Victoria launched the new Surf Her Way program with a Saturday morning surfing session - the perfect start to the weekend, and to the program that will change the game for women and girls in surfing.

The launch event was held at the man-made surfing mecca, URBNSURF Park and was attended by a who's who of Victorian surfing, along with some who were venturing into the waves with board in hand for the very first time.

The Surf Her Way program will include surf coaching for women and girls, use story-telling to promote gender equality, educate the surfing community at a Boardrider Club level and continue to run the highly successful Coasting SUP program across the state.

The program follows on from the launch of the Surf Her Way strategy in 2020, which identified the following areas of focus:

• EQUALITY – To genuinely commit to achieving gender equality across surfing, and to build a platform to foster an inclusive and respectful environment.
• GROWTH AND RETENTION – To grow the number of women and girls in surfing and retain as many women and girls in surfing as possible.
• LEADERSHIP – To be empowering, accessible and inclusive of all Women and Girls, encouraging social networks and connections.

The passion of Surfing Victoria's first ever female chair, Ashleigh Wall (elected in 2018) was evident, and contagious, as she discussed Surf Her Way.

"This strategy is a celebration of the many faces of women and girls surfing in Victoria and also a deliberate effort to call out where equality within surfing doesn't exist and to break down the barriers that are stopping women and girls from engaging in surfing and the beautiful ocean," said Wall.

Describing surfing as a lifestyle that becomes part of your DNA, Wall implored the audience to support and drive the strategy saying, "We all together represent surfing in Victoria in our own unique way and we all have a role to play in making a difference and creating a diverse and inclusive surf community."

Surf Her Way is an extension of the work that has come before it, including women’s specific surf programs, Roxy Surf Jam (National) and Surfing for Girls (Statewide) from 2000 until 2017 teaching surf and safety skills to young women, along with The Women’s Surf Festival at Phillip Island - the first of it's kind.

Surf Her Way continues Surfing Victoria's leadership and commitment to breaking down barriers to participation and leadership for women and girls in surfing.

Programs being offered under the Surf Her Way banner can be found at  www.surfingvic.com/surfherway

Photo credit: @zoestrapp.photography

26 November, 2021

READ: Surf Her Way Strategy

WATCH: Surf Her Way promo clip